2005:
 Racism and Intolerance

Fueled by reading our local newspaper some short time ago, I sat and penned the following to that same paper. I feel so passionately about it, I am compelled to include in on this site. I provide no music here, no pretty backgrounds, fonts, colors, or pictures. The message is just too important to brook distraction of any sort.


I find it astonishing to no small degree that racism, in all forms, spashes Society's news so liberally today. No need to read between the lines...it competes for the bold headlines. It's the year 2005, for crying out loud. We have the audacity to pat ourselves on the backs and speak of the changes, our "progress", and how much better things are now for all American individuals...every financial class, sex, color, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, etc...but better than WHAT? If you beat someone everyday, five times a day, and the victim is moved to a situation where he is beat only four times a day...need I complete the thought?

Far from being a negative thinker, I am nevertheless discouraged and downright heartsick to realize so few advances have been made in the minds and in the very souls of our population. I lobby for no particular sect; I am quite far from the accepted definition of "politically correct"...the hate is indigenous to no one party. The bigotry is pervasive in every color and creed. Speaking in generalities, the white man is no less guilty than the black man...the heterosexual perpetuates a hatred that is equal to that of the homosexual...the battle cry of the angry feminist is as offensive as the attitude of her male "oppressors"...the list of perpetrators defies definition. Again, I speak in generalities.

At moments such as these, I am embarrassed and ashamed to be a part of humanity. Period. I am angry. We remain entrenched in an ignorance and intolerance that is exclusive to the human race; it is found no where else, in no other group. My firmest conviction is that man is innately noble of purpose, good of heart, gifted with magnificent potential...yet at times I am grossly conflicted when confronted by the cruelty which runs rampant, and is even encouraged, among my peers. It seems everyone is enraged, everyone is scrambling for new scapegoats, fresh excuses to justify behavior that is truly unacceptable by ANY stretch of the imagination.

"STOP THE HATE"
is not an empty catch phrase for many of us. Nor is it a slogan that makes us feel good about ourselves. It is a passionate plea made with tears, anger, and confusion.


The very idea that anyone, anything, any group or genetic malfunction is responsible for my careless behavior, irresponsibility, selfish disregard of others, or dangerous social aberrations is not only ridiculous, but the height of stupidity. There is no other word for it. We coin slogans such as "Just Say No" and "Stop the Hate"...we cry for equality from our comfortable suburban communities, yet behind closed doors we breed into our children a requirement that conformity is not an option, but a nessessity...that while we may contribute to the fight against AIDS, we will abide no homosexuality within our unit.

Excuse the longevity of my message, but it is unreasonable and unjust to assume that in order to tolerate the differences of others we must validate a person's appearance, mind, and ideas within the realm of our own pitifully limited experience. Judgement, in whatever form it takes, is the cruelest testament to human nature.