The extremely long campaign cycle in the run-up to this year’s Presidential election has brought out many issues Americans should be concerned about, and one issue that continues to haunt America is racism.  Many Americans were shocked by the rhetoric of Sen. Barrack Obama’s racist spiritual mentors, Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Fr. Michael Pfleger, which highlighted Black racism against Whites, a topic often neglected by the popular media.  But how widespread are the beliefs held by the members of Barrack Obama’s former church among Black Americans, and, knowing the terrible injustices caused by a racist mindset, how can people think that buying into racism against Whites will in any way help to get beyond the deep divisions in this country?

There has never been any doubt that the institution of slavery is the ugliest stain on this country’s history.  The Founding Fathers, and every President since, knew the great injustice of slavery and spoke out against it, even those who owned slaves.  But harsh stipulations against slavery would have never allowed the original colonies to unite and gain independence from Britain.  And while numerous measures were taken by the government to curb the practice and growth of slavery, it took a horrific civil war to break those unjust bonds, and a social “war” in the form of the Civil Rights Movement for Blacks to gain legal equality.

Despite equality under the law, many Black Americans still feel they are treated unjustly in America, and racial animosity is as strong as ever between Blacks and Whites.  You hear many Whites saying that slavery was abolished and Blacks should get over it and stop complaining since they get all kinds of preferential treatment now such as Affirmative Action, and you hear many Blacks saying that the government and White people owe them something for their ancestors being enslaved and that the system is designed to keep them oppressed.

According to former North Carolina State University Professor Kamau Kambon, the solution to equality among Blacks and Whites is to exterminate all the White people.  This is a view supported by the New Black Panther Party.

The solution for equality according to Rev. Wright is adherence to Black Liberation Theology, which says that Blacks must kill any God who doesn’t give them victory over the White oppressor.  The solution to equality according to Fr. Pfleger is for America to “pay” for “raping people of color,” and for Whites to “give up the benefits…throw away your 401 fund, throw away your trust fund,” and essentially monetarily pay Blacks for the slavery their ancestors experienced under the ancestors of White people.  Pfleger’s good friend Louis Farrakhan believes that White people owe Blacks “the whole damn country.”

The whole idea of “reparations,” besides being completely unjust, has serious flaws.  No one can be held responsible for the actions of another person that took place hundreds of years ago, no matter how deep the wounds of those actions were.  That would be like the police arresting a criminal and their children every time a crime took place.  If White Americans have to pay for the injustice of slavery, what about those that don’t have slave owning ancestors?  My father is a first generation American.  Both of his parents came to America in the 1920’s.  Should he have to pay reparations? 

What about the Africans who sold Blacks into slavery?  Why aren’t Black Americans demanding that Africans pay them for the hardships of their ancestors, or demanding that African governments apologize for their people selling their ancestors into slavery?  The blame for slavery rests on both sides of the Atlantic.

Justice cannot be achieved through injustice.  The slavery that took place in America was wrong, and many people suffered, but the ones perpetuating that suffering have long since passed away.  Teaching that White Americans are all racist and owe Blacks some sort of compensation for injustice and suffering that they themselves have never experienced, only perpetuates a victim mentality and a lack of personal responsibility. 

No matter what city, no matter what circumstances, no matter what color your skin is, every man and woman in America has the opportunity to make a better life for themselves.  For many, doing so is harder than it is for others.  Some may even have to go through hell just to get a little ahead, but the opportunity for greatness is there.  Americans of every race and creed cannot expect to lead fulfilling lives by blaming others for their problems. 

The American government is meant to protect our lives, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, not guarantee happiness and serve up a desirable life on a silver platter.  Everything gained in America has been fought for, not least of which is the freedom many take for granted.  Our fighting spirit and tremendous determination was once part of the American Exceptionalism that made this country, and its people, great.