*Color Blind

The idea of a color blind society is both as worthy as it is thus far unattained. I believe we have come further in my lifetime than any other American generation to achieving that worthy goal .

This perhaps is the 'baby boomer generations' single greatest accomplishment, some would argue, it's only great accomplishment. I say this knowing that the institutional changes that helped facilitate this were primarily brought about by people who would more aptly be part of what has been described as 'the greatest generation'. I would surely give them their due, perhaps that accomplishment is the one they ought to receive more recognition for. Regardless 'the boomers' embraced civil rights in their minds and most, though not all, in their hearts to make legislative and institutional corrections a societal reality, which is where it really counts.

Again though we are not there yet. I say this simply because the definition of a color blind society is not the promotion of one peoples or race over another based upon their color or national origin, but rather that these factors have no place in a persons standing in society what so ever.

My great hero, one of America's greatest true patriots, Martin Luther King Jr. stated in words that are as true now as they were when he spoke them so many years ago

"… I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today…"

On this day many are celebrating the fulfillment of that dream, I am not. Though I am extremely proud that our country has matured to the point that a man of color, any color, could ascend to our nations highest office, Barak Obama's election is not the fulfillment of that dream, it is the abuse of it.

Barack Obama did not ascend to his position based on the content of his character over the color of his skin, the color of his skin is the reason for his ascension. All along the way culminating in this momentous day, the color of Obama's skin has been the reason for his advancement and at no point in the process has he attempted to diminish its role, but rather he has through tactical political manipulation used the color of his skin to his advantage.

This political use of his color was grabbed by segments of our society, primarily media driven, to promote an ideal rather than a person. The ideal being that in order to expunge the guilt of the past for past inequities towards African-Americans, we must elect an African American, regardless of his experience, knowledge or even character. Today we are celebrating this ideal, not the ideal expressed by Martin Luther King Jr.

The truth is and everyone knows it, Barack Obama is our 44th President not despite his color or without regards to his color but because of his color. That, my fellow Americans, is not color blindness that is affirmative action, the advancement of an individual based on the color of his skin rather than his merit.

It may turn out, I surely hope it does, that President Obama will be a great President, but in no way is this the fulfillment of Dr. King's dream, indeed it is the abuse of it. So I wish our new president well and I will oppose that which I disagree with and support him whenever and wherever I can, but I'm still waiting to see Dr. King's dream truly fulfilled, I suspect though that will be for some future as yet unnamed generation.




More...

Complete Original Article