Racism, like global warming, is pervasive and destructive. Its negative impact is preventable, but only if we care enough to put forth a concerted and sustained effort to do something about it.
Many of us would like to believe that race and interracial issues are no longer a major problem in this county. But if we honestly looked around us, we would witness incidents almost on a daily basis that whisper or scream to us that bigotry, prejudice, and racism are not just alive and well, but thriving.
It is happening worldwide. Reports of racist incidents or issues occurred in United States, England, Ireland, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Canada, Israel, Greece, and other places near and far in just this past week — from racial slurs used in the highest political chambers, to the bullying and harassment of teenagers in the streets because of how they looked.
At what point, will the importance of racism rise to the same level as the global issues that we must deal with such as the economy, terrorism, energy, education, and global warming?
When will we spend the time and resources to get at these critical issues that in many ways undermine our ability to find meaningful and lasting solutions?
How do we effectively address what plagues our economy, our educational system, the fight against terrorism, solutions to global warming and the emerging energy crisis if we do not take time to better understand our differences, take time to celebrate what we hold in common and what binds us as human beings?
We are all a part of one race: The human race. Until we accept that fact as one which sets us apart from everything else on planet earth, we will never make progress on those daily issues that divide us or the real issues that threaten our very existence.
Silence, denial, and fear are the real enemy in tackling the issues and matters we face surrounding race. What a shame. If we could just let go of those false comfort zones of separateness, and notions of superiority, we could make a real and lasting difference.
It is imperative for us to make a concerted effort. We must take the time to understand the people of different colors and cultures if we ever plan to solve some of the daunting problems we face on planet earth, and enrich our own lives in the process.
Long-term, those efforts will determine our destiny.