How Racism Works

Thanks to my friend, Jane R, who sent this by email. The writer, Kelvin LaFond, wrote this as a letter to the editor of the Star-Telegram in Dallas/Ft. Worth for the September 5th edition. I find it helpful in discernment for the election, but also a sound life lesson:

How racism works:

What if John McCain were a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain were still married to the first woman he said "I do" to?

What if Obama were the candidate who left his first wife after she no longer measured up to his standards?

What if Michelle Obama were a wife who not only became addicted to pain killers, but acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?

What if Obama were a member of the Keating 5?

What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are.This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference.

--Kelvin LaFond, Fort Worth