White Will Embrace What Is Right?

I was pretty annoyed when I heard the ending of the inaugural benediction given by Reverend Joseph Lowery yesterday. I am so bored with the excuses offered in behalf of, and the free passes given to, these elderly black "men of the cloth" who humiliate, degrade and malign this country and its people...especially white Americans. Enough is enough.

If you missed it, here is Reverend Lowery's closing remarks during the benediction.

"Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen."

When black will not be asked to get in back?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t we, or at least 52% of Americans, just elect the first black president? Wasn't that same black president inaugurated and sworn into office right before this prayer? That would not have been possible 50 years ago. Is that being asked to get in back?

This country has made great strides in race relations. To my knowledge, blacks are no longer asked to “go to the back of the bus” or use separate bathrooms or eat at separate lunch counters or drink out of separate drinking fountains; and they are not prohibited from realizing their dreams, if they just apply themselves and have a mind to succeed.

Today, we have black teachers and professors, doctors and lawyers, judges and politicians, military commanders and generals, business owners and corporate executives, television personalities and actors who earn millions, and professional athletes who earn more during one quarter of a game than most Americans earn in an entire year. And now we have a black president. So, what the heck does he mean, when black won’t be asked to get in back? I think we are there already. So, please, give it a rest! Are we going to be subjected to this old and overused rhetoric for the next four years? Will it ever end?

When brown can stick around?

If the illegal aliens would come to this country legally like millions of immigrants have in the past, and still do; then they would be welcomed with open arms. We would not be asking for them to be sent back to where they came from if they were not breaking the law to be here....plain and simple.

When yellow will be mellow?

What the heck does that mean? Your guess is probably better than mine, since I have no idea.

When the red man can get ahead, man?

I wholeheartedly believe that the American Indians were disgracefully mistreated by the US government and land grabbing settlers who stole their land, and I know that those who still live on the reservations they were allocated to live in poverty that is equivalent to that of third world countries. However, for most who have left the reservations, they have managed to make a better life for themselves and their families. So, I think the Reverend was just trying to hard to find something to rhyme with his insulting reference to American Indians. Does he not realize that American Indians do not like being referred to as red men?

And when white will embrace what is right?

I don’t know about anyone else, but I am sick and tired of being accused of being a racist just because my skin is white. That, to me, is a racist assumption in and of itself. But, hey, when a black man throws out a racist slur or comment, he is excused because he has been the victim for so long.

What is right? What more does Reverend Joseph Lowery think whites need to do that we haven't already done? Most of us are hard working, religious people who are doing our best to raise our families properly and provide the best life that we can for them. Many of us volunteer in our own communities and churches. We serve our fellow men and our God in whatever capacity we are able. Most of us do not look at our fellow Americans as anything but that...our fellow Americans. We do not see race, sex or age as a hindrance to what one can achieve and we celebrate those achievements. We mourn with those that mourn, laugh with those that laugh and give to those in need.

So, please, Reverend Lowery, enlightened us...tell us what more we need to do. What will make you happy?