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Jan. 19, 2007 "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.." say what you will about the author of those words, or our history in treating people equally, but they are beautiful and inspiring words. But it seems that we've gone to all men are created equal to all men are created equal but some are more equal than others. We've had a long, sad, and violent history on race in this country. From slavery to jim crow, poll taxes, lynchings, and civil rights nothing has caused such intense feelings as race. Even the debate on affirmative action, while it has not produced any violence that I am aware of, has inflamed strong passions. The dream of the true civil rights leader is racial equality. The proponent of racial harmony wants the same thing. Recently we celebrated Martin Luther King day. He said that he wanted a society where men would be judged by the content of their charachter, not the color of their skin. Dr. King was an idealist, probably a uniquely American idealist, but his vision was one of equality. Not one of division and grievance. But we are now taking another step in the wrong direction. Senator Akaka(D-Hawaii) has reintroduced a bill that would create a special government for native Hawaiians. The Democrats are once againbeating the drums of balkanization. A nine member commission decides who is a native Hawaiian. Talk about fraud potential, it's also reminiscent of the third reich certifying who was an Aryan. Let's call this what it actually is, preferential treatment for a specific racial group. When whites in the south did it for their own benefit it was wrong and stupid, reversing the process and giving it to minorites does not make it right and smart. This "government" won't be able to make any laws but will be able to negotiate with the federal government on things like civil rights, and transfer of land. This idea is wrong on every level. First of all, the idea that one should have more loyalty to a race than to their country is an idea that should have died with the SS or the KKK. Secondly once we begin the division we won't be able to stop it. If we have a government for native Hawaiians, why not a government for African Americans? Why not a government for illegal immigrants? Why not a sharia government for American Muslims? This government may not have power to legislate, but that is besides the point. The mere fact that it exists at all is a serious threat. Race has been a source of conflict, and paradoxically, the way around that is to stop thinking in racial terms. If we are to be one nation, we must be one people. We must be american before we are anything else. We can be of different races, religions, and ancestries. But those things must be secondary to all of us being American. Just as our nation could not survive half free and half slave we cannot survive by dividing ourselves on every conceivable point. Our country has made great progress, even if the race baiters and the grievance hustlers don't want to hear it. We can't afford to take such a step backwards. It will only give the bigots in our country-no matter what their color is- ammunition for their vile little wars. President Bush has promised a veto of the Akaka bill if it reaches his desk, and he is right to do so. It's unlikely that congress will be able to override a veto, but what's to stop a democratic president from signing it in the future? It's not out of the question that one day this corrupt joke of a bill could be signed into law. America can't afford to find out what happens if it does become law. ------------ About the author: Craig Chamberlain has written more than 100 articles for Useless-Knowledge.com. Email: craig_chamberlain@hotmail.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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