Racism is a sad and disturbing fact of life. There is no one race that is free from its grip, nor any race that does not claim it is only because of other races that they feel that way.
The latest uproar over remarks made by a sports commentator to "...lynch Tiger..." are an excellent case in point. Kelly Tilghman, a friend of golfing legend Tiger Woods, made an off hand comment to a statement that another commentator was making about how today's younger golfers could beat Mr. Woods. And that was to "...lynch him in a back alley."
Ms. Tilghman was trying to be funny and missed the mark. Now, nobody took it badly in the beginning and once the race issue was played Ms. Tilghman apologized and Tiger accepted her apology. The issue should have been the end of the issue, but it wasn't.
Super racist and agitator, Al Sharpton has interjected himself into the situation and what should have been a "done deal" has progressed into people finding themselves divided and Ms. Tilghman has now been suspended. People are spewing anger and vitriol all over the place and the disease, racism, is again renewed.
I hate racism with a passion. There are stupid, ill-educated, racist people all over the place. And there are crimes that are committed simply because of a persons color, sex, orientation, or affiliation. To deny that this is the honest truth would be simply delusional. However, I also believe that there are far fewer of these crimes than what agitators of all stripes would have you believe.
The minute that anybody declares race as the core of any issue, racism is renewed and will continue to thrive. Is the "Jena Six" case a serious, racially charged issue, or a simple case of assault that took place on the heals of a seeming racially charged issue? The answer varies widely depending which side of the issue you covet and your personal politics and beliefs.
Don Imus and his producer came across as blithering idiots when they were trying to parrot today's version of entertainment language. I personally find that type of language reprehensible, I don't care whose mouth it is coming out of. However, the entertainment industry itself propagates this culture and image and musicians have declared that they will not stop using the derogatory language. Some of the most racist comments and actions that I have had the misfortune to witness were made by "Mexican-Americans" (another term that makes me irate, but we will save that for another time) against "Mexican Nationals" when I lived in Texas.
However, the minute racism is played as a central issue in any news worth event, more so when it is brought up AFTER the initial news reports by people who weren't even involved, it tends to keep Americans divided and racism alive and well. If the issue is truly race based, then fine - report it as such.
Meantime, I totally concur with Pittsburgh radio personality Kevin Miller: Kevin Miller, a news radio host for KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, said he believes Sharpton and his ilk are off base. "What she said is wrong," Miller said of Tilghman's comment, which he called "flippant, adolescent, unfortunate." However, he added in Tilghman's defense, "you have to look at the intent." The "politically correct vigilantes" calling for her job are inciting divisiveness in the country when they should be building bridges, he said. "Lynch" is the offensive word du jour, Miller said. Tomorrow, it could be a different word, he said, suggesting that Sharpton should issue a book of words that Americans can and can't say.
And Mr. Sharpton? When you get that book compiled and published? Let's make it for ALL Americans.
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