In his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, Dr. King outlined the struggles endured by black Americans at that time. He correctly acknowledged that all citizens are deserving and entitled to the ability to realize the American Dream, regardless of skin color. He also urged his supporters and fellow civil rights activists to not let bitterness and hatred lead them to acting immorally and he went so far to say that, “The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny.” This profound statement in the face of hatred is undoubtedly true. The success of the nation depends on the success of all people, or more accurately, the ability to succeed. According to Dr. King, all people are granted “unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” as outlined in America’s founding documents. This is all true.
There is no larger stain on our great nation than slavery and its legacy of racism and discrimination that continued after. We have come so far. In my view, we do live in a society that grants all citizens the unalienable rights outlined by the founding documents and reinforced by Martin Luther King. The Civil Rights Movement is one of the great successes in our history and of course, there are always improvements that can be made. But have the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr been adhered to? Or have they been subverted?
Take this quote, “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 unfortunately do not believe that we live in a nation that judges people by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin. In today’s world, we routinely hear of “diversity hires” and DEI initiatives that lead to racial equity of outcome.
Why do we have to identify our race and sex when applying to colleges or jobs? Why does this matter to a potential school or employer? The race and sex of a person has no effect on their inherent worth, ability to handle the work and to contribute positively to the school or workplace. The Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations is in full affect.
To be sure, one of the loudest and well-recognized voices on the far left is Ibrahim X Kendy, author of How To Be an Antiracist. He asserts that the only remedy to past discrimination is future discrimination. He also says foolish things like, “Since the 1960s, racist power has commandeered the term “racial discrimination,” transforming the act of discriminating on the basis of race into an inherently racist act. But if racial discrimination is defined as treating, considering, or making a distinction in favor or against an individual based on that person’s race, then racial discrimination is not inherently racist. The defining question is whether the discrimination is creating equity or inequity.” This sounds like communism to me. Forcing “equitable outcomes” denies people the right or ability to make their own path, successful or not. It seems to me that saying “…racial discrimination is not inherently racist” is obviously wrong. Discriminating against people based on race is wrong in any direction, but not to Kendy and his allies on the left. This type of thinking is how we get to the current state of affairs. Kendy and others are in favor of discrimination, so long as it works in a direction that is favorable to them and their agenda. This type of thinking is not held exclusively by Kendy, but it actually commonplace on the left. It shows up in DEI initiatives, assertions that Voter ID laws are somehow racist, the demand for reparations and so on.
As we move into this highly contentious election season, I urge all people to treat their fellow Americans as people with inherent value and worthy of respect, liberty and freedom. Conservatives have one standard that applies to all, regardless of race, gender, orientation or other. We are defined by what we do and say. Supporting or advocating for racism in any direction is wrong, immoral and not what America stands for.
Let us also remember that America is the most free, tolerant, diverse and prosperous nation to ever have existed and we didn’t get here because of racism. We got here because we are guided by principles that see all people as equal and deserving of all the same rights. Even if aspects of America did not reflect these principles throughout our history, we can always be better now than we were then. We got here because we live in a society that values hard work, honesty and freedom. Seeing people as different because of the way they look is gross and only leads to further distrust and discord.
Frederick Douglass, one of the great American heroes, maintained a love and respect for the ideals of America and Christianity. He correctly understood that the promises given by the founding documents were not being provided to all, but this doesn’t mean that the ideal is not good. Slaveholders and their sympathizers disregarded their own faith and values to allow such a heinous system to manifest and perpetuate; truly condemnable behavior. However, we still have the ability to allow the true spirit of America to shine. America is great, or at least has the ability to be great. Let us all do our part to live up the lofty standards that America represents. Douglass escaped from the evils of slavery and became a champion for equal rights and a trusted advisor to Abraham Lincoln, helping abolish slavery and lead America towards it’s true ideal. Let us keep moving towards that end and not allow racial identity to be the chief characteristic in judging people.
More recently, Coleman Hughes, author of “The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America,” was criticized on television for his desire to see an end to racial identity politics. Hughes advocates for what Dr. MLK called "bill of rights for the disadvantaged," which is essentially to help all impoverished people. While the audience appeared to cheer on Hughes’ ideas, Sunny Hostin was intent on labeling Hughes “a charlatan of sorts” used by the political right for their own perpetuation of power. Mrs. Hostin embodies everything that is wrong with race-based thinking and much that the civil rights activists would not have supported. Hughes represents a positive voice for change who believes that all people should be treated as individuals based on their character, not immutable characteristics. Let us work towards that.
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