The past five decades have greatly improved the level of bigotry in our nation. But, it seems many of us will not see the day that it truly has been put behind us. Until the blame game is no longer used against folks of color, culture, gender and other groups, we cannot say we are all equal citizens. We are probably the most homogenized nation in our make up, in the world, and it has given us a strength that many fail to recognize. The pluses from having such a mix has brought so many great assets to our standard of living.
As the world gets smaller and the more we interact with folks from beyond our own borders, the American experience of our mixture of citizens will smooth the path for our nation. The daily impact of our mix is best seen in the variety of restaurants we support, with all the different wonderful fare. The traditions, music, philosophies and religions have allowed us to have a broader understanding. Many cultures are living in black and white, while we have been living in color for decades. The tolerance road of our past has improved from the dirt stage to our modern paved stage and now it only has to grow into the super highway. The beginning will be when we are outraged when any of our fellow citizens are put upon by ignorant, narrow-minded, hateful people with shortcomings that cause them to play the tired old blame game of the past.
Jim Hall
Clearlake Oaks
