The Whole Imus Thang.

I’m prepared for the shit storm this might evoke.  Just so you know…

My first "best friend" was a little black kid named Dennis, and my current friends include a "Jew", a "Black" a "Gay", and a devout "Muslim". There is nobody I wouldn’t be friends with, simply based on their ancestry.

If we define "racism" as the belief that one group of people is INHERENTLY better than another, than I am certainly NOT racist. I think that at a genetic level, everybody is capable of the same high achievement, and the same selfish mistakes.

But, as I’ve gotten older, gained more exposure, and grown less naive, I find myself more and more frustrated by black American culture.

You could write a book about race (many, many have), but I’ll keep it brief:

I am exhausted by the victim mentality of black Americans, especially when many do so little to improve their own condition. It’s encouraging to see black doctors, CEO’s, politicians (actually, all politicians are scum) and teachers, but the sad truth is, that vast majority of black Americans do not value education or achievement. Rather than step up to distinguish themselves, they wallow in self-loathing and blame, while embracing the quick fix promised by rap music in the forms of ballin’ and dealin’.

For God’s sake. It speaks volumes that "Keepin’ it Real" means being anti-social and rejecting education. I’m not black, and I really don’t want to and can’t believe that "Real" blacks are violent and ignorant.

Please, somebody. Step up, and set an example. Show your peers that success is possible, and that it’s something to be proud of, not embarrassed by. Work your ass off in high school, go to college, and lead a successful life. Then, when you and your friends are 40-years-old, and you are leaders in your office, your business, your operating room; take your knowledge and pride and insight back to your old neighborhood and give hope to the next generation.

THAT’S "Keepin’ It Real".

In the meantime, an insensitive remark by a stupid, old white guy is merely a distraction from the real issue.

I agree that slavery was disgusting. I know that lynchings were regular occurrences even during my Grandparent’s lives, and I know that blacks couldn’t truly vote until my parents were teenagers. All of that is shameful. But when does a group decide to rise above injustice and stop blaming?

There is not a single person in this country whose family hasn’t been the victim of institutionalized prejudice, sexism, racism or creedism. And yet, it is only the black community that refuses to let it go.

Embrace Education
Embrace Achievement
Embrace the Intact Family
Reject Bling, Rims, Cribs and other Ridiculous Status Symbols.
Help a College Degree Become the Ultimate Status Symbol.

We can never entirely rid this country of ignorant racists, but it would be SO simple for black American to gain the same social and economic equality of every other ethnic minority that calls this country home.

Stop blaming and take responsibility.

Your move.