Lately, there has been much in the media regarding the controversy over Ebonics. The newscasters seem to find it necessary to tiptoe around the subject so as not to offend. Who are they really managing to alienate? Not those who speak the newly named language; they are not the least bit upset over what is now another media blitz. Kowtowing to the pressure of a once oppressed minority has become the pastime of more than just television news organizations. The courts, the legislature, the judicial system, the job market and now the education systems across the country are all bending to the pressure of some very powerful fronts.
 

    Ebonics as a formal language is laughable. It does not deserve the recognition or the notoriety it has received. Would we be hearing more than a humorous side note on the nightly news if the slang of choice had been Pig Latin? I doubt that it would rate more than a minute of our time and thoughts. No, to tell educators that they must be fluent in garbled and slurred verbiage that is based upon the lack of any education is ridiculous! I know we manage to waste tax dollars on sillier things all the time. I just cannot see forcing our already overworked and underpaid teachers to learn a to speak Ebonics to be able communicate with students and their parents. Maybe I am way off the subject here but I thought we send our children to school in hopes of giving them a chance to better their position in life. This recent proposal appears to be taking us one giant step backward.

 
     As frustrating as the whole situation appears, I really think that the fault lies with all of us. We tend to accept the bullying of lawyers, lobbyists and special interest groups to be an annoying fact of life. Maybe it is time to step back and really take a good look at what has transpired as a result of giving in to the guilt thrust upon us by our ancestors.

 
    We are a country that can proudly claim to be a melting pot of nationalities, races, religions and lifestyle choices. When our parents and grandparents came to the United States they struggled to assimilate. Speaking proper English was considered to be a badge of honor for the immigrants who arrived from all over the world. To have the knowledge to communicate within their adopted country was a goal that was readily met by most. To have a child that would someday excel and prosper in the system was the ultimate accomplishment.

 
    Most of these immigrants came of their own accord. In vast numbers they arrived. They came fleeing circumstances that in many cases were too horrible to speak of outside of the ghettos that were the first homes to most of the new arrivals. To retain the heritage was as important as blending into the American social structure. Adopting the customs and languages was not contradictory to their crossed goals.

 
    Survive and prosper was the credo for most of the new arrivals. That and a strong work ethic that was passed on from one generation to another was about all the new arrivals had to give their offspring. So, while becoming Americans, they managed to quietly keep the wonderful history of their own particular background. Now, with generation after generation being taught the English language, we all can share each other's heritage and learn.

 
    With the understanding that most of our families arrived here under the worst circumstance, why is one group being treated as children who do not have the ability to grow up? Their ancestors were forced onto slave ships and brought to be bought and sold in a manner that would have stripped all humanity from a less proud people. They were made to live as animals and treated as possessions by some of our forefathers. That is understood and that can never be forgiven. But, what kindness are we affording people when although we are willing to accept their differences we also choose to see those differences as inferior. The groups that fight for the rights of the minorities seem to want to keep their people in an oppressed state. To raise them to the level of true equality would make the organizations that fire the flames unnecessary.

 
    We can only pray that as generations pass there will be a change within the social structure. To insist on separatism is to further the cause that breeds racism. To bow down to threats and allow one more "minority only" project, television station, beauty pageant, newspaper, school, club or language to exist is criminal behavior. It is time to close the gaps between the minorities and quit forcing quotas and head counts. No one group contains more or less people of beauty, brains, muscle or any other attribute. We are humans and need to begin to show some humanity. Someone needs to take the first step and admitting that Ebonics as a language is lunacy would be a good second step. Accepting our differences would be a better new beginning.