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Sept 27, 2003 A few years ago I received a letter in the mail from the census bureau asking me to fill out the standard form. I did. And several angry sounding letters later I still filled it out the same way. Under race, I put HUMAN. Now for those of you who have read my columns before, you know that the last thing I am is a bleeding heart liberal, someone who is trying to make a statement or some guy who is trying to assuage my guilt in some obscure way. The reason I did it was simple, I really dont think its anyones business what race I am. According to federal law there should not be any bias based on race, religion, sex, (even sexual preference though why they HAVE to put that in there is still beyond me) ironically enough, its the same government that asks the questions. Talk about Big Brother, more like Big Nosey Mother, if you ask me. The point Im trying to get at here is that in a perfect world it should be nobodys business. Unfortunately we dont live in that world. Our species has historically drawn upon racial lines time and time again. And its going to take quite some time for those lines to ever blur. Now if I were to celebrate my heritage, it would not be on Cinco De Mayo, I wouldnt be wearing a kilt, and I would not be getting drunk on St. Paddies Day. I am a mutt. And if they had a day set aside for those of us then I would be the first person on the block to raise my Mutt Flag and sing The Mutt National Anthem along with it. So I dont get upset if a group wants to celebrate their heritage. Whether it is Hispanic, Asian, Mongolian, or African-American. Good for them. Enjoy. By all means, learn about your culture. Embrace it. Now we get to Lisa McClelland. A young lady whose background is varied, but wishes to celebrate her heritage. She does not do this in the Asian Club or in the Black Student Union. She wants to celebrate her heritage by starting a Caucasian Club. An idea that I think is good, but has come at the wrong time. Unfortunately, clubs like this would attract, not those who wish to learn more about their European background, but those who wish to keep the division, the line, that separates us as people. I speak of those like Matt Hale and others whose hatred and ignorance poisons their own souls worse than any drug on the planet. Also unfortunate is that she lives in a state (California) where racial tolerance is not too prominent. Where political correctness has taken an ugly turn. Where its ok now to hate, or to at least to sneer at, just as long as its the correct race to scoff at. Take Darnell Turner, first vice president of the local chapter of the NAACP, according to an Associated Press story he stated, the club will create racial tension. But who will initiate that feeling, Mr. Turner? Why wasnt there the same outcry when the Asian Club started? Would there have been a story at all if the club had been Hispanic? Why is it that liberal politicians, of any race, work so hard at keeping the lines defined? Why are they so afraid of blurring them a little? Could it be that when you free yourself from that type of racist thinking, you also free yourself from a group mindset. You start thinking as an individual instead of a group or a party. Perhaps they are afraid of individualism. Because with that comes a sense of personal responsibility. The idea, the concept that you, not the government is responsible for what you do or what you can achieve. A sense that you can do more than what others expect. You can become anything you want. (Hmm, sounds familiar!) To Ms. McClelland, I say good idea, just bad timing. Your ideas are just a little ahead of the times. But dont despair. I honestly believe that one day the Caucasian race can rid itself of their most obnoxious members and finally become a race that is not reviled. A race that can have equal rights and equal membership with the fellowship of man. Just remember that intolerance in whatever form it takes should not, will not, and cannot, be tolerated. ------------ About the author: Mike Russell is the proud father of two children and still works hard every day at being a good husband. Email Michael F Russell: mikerussellus@yahoo.com Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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