It is at this time of year that we reflect on the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr and his courageous stand for civil rights. On April 4, 2008 it will have been 40 years since his untimely death.
Civil rights are synomous with natural rights. So to begin with we all should share a feeling of shame and guilt that civil or natural rights have to be fought for. And we all contribute to these rights one way or another. Yes even the targets of racism have thrown lighter fluid onto the fire by using belligerence and retaliation to gain there form of presumed power. Or those of us who have been tolerant of contention and ignoring its danger.
Dr. King despite whatever imperfections he may have personally had, worked hard and relentless at making a nation face the cold hard facts that society was very intolerant of diversity. Disgraceful and yet true. What was accomplished and how are we doing in the present?
It should be stated that people all over this planet have a problem with common sense when it comes to the variety of cultures and skin complexion. The notorious Indiane caste system for example. The economic and tonal differences go hand and hand.
Ironically complexion is biological. A protein molecule called melanin causes variation in "color" tone or our pigmentation. A pigment is a material that changes the color of light it reflects as the result of selective color absorption. So it varies upon the amount of light that it reflects or absorbs. That simple. Nothing more or nothing less. Behavior is not linked to skin complexion whether we want it too or not. There are countless scientific studies that prove that.
The quantity of melanin in our skin is what determines largely determines the lightness or the darkness of our skin. Of course the DNA components we receive from our parents are also a factor in influencing how much melanin we have in us. It's main function is to help deal with UV-rays depleting needed minerals, vitamins, and nutrients from humans. Geography plays a part in the level of UV-rays of course.
Inexplicably however this natural process became a justification for self absorbed humans to create mythological levels of superiority and inferiority. As mentioned with the caste system in India for example. All of the nations on Earth in fact have superficially caved into this atrocious concept without hesitation. It has continued for centuries.
It is no coincidence then that as Britian asserted itself and established the American Colonies, white settlers were given authority over non-white and/or poor settlers. Slavery obviously included. Regardless of the American Revolution, in which these "lower" Americans also fought, white skin remained supreme.
Thus even by the 1960's in the United States, non - white citizens were not rendered the same rights as white Americans. This was the cause of the civil rights movement led by Dr. King to initiate change.
Many white people today say "I wasn't alive back then so I can't be responsible". That may sound nice but that also implies that things are different. Or people say "people bring this among themselves". Yes poor judgement will obviously make life worse, however, poor judgement does not create bigotry. They are two entirely different things.
Since the days of Dr. King there are some noted changes. Non-white citizens are now allowed to ride on any part of a bus for example. They can share access to public establishments. There has been more opportunity opened to the non - white population then previously available. And that is a good thing. No one denies that it is.
However there is still serious problems in existence. There is still bigotry in the hiring of employees. There is still non - white people being secretly denied housing due to their complexion. If you doubt this than why do they run public service commercials exposing the fact that these things happen everyday? And if you are a white person who are you kidding? You hear a percentage of ignorance and cruelty among groups of white people you work with or are related too. And again not evey instance of a non - white person falling on bad times is due to racism so stay on the actual subject here.
Also there is a rampant racial bias among the populous of those who are targets of racism. We will not overcome racism if we react by being racist. History shows this. Again it is disgraceful how people have been treated but lashing out in response will not change anything. Again if you are non-white you have heard anti - white sentiment among people you work with or are related too.
Those of us who wish to make honest improvement then must work together and ignore the negative people on both sides of the issue. Frankly it shouldn't be dignified.
