In this bastion of political correctness, this liberal enclave Seattle, Washington, where I live, it always amazes me to hear white people say that they think racism is no longer a problem in America today.
Can it be that people whom I would otherwise have considered to be intelligent, socially aware and compassionate, are actually unaware of the ongoing racism in this nation? Are liberal white people really that blind? Or are we embarrassed, ashamed, unsure how to go about implementing change in the hearts and minds of society?
As a white person strongly against racism, child of anti-racist liberal parents and grandparents, I have often wondered what can I do to effect change. The conclusions that I have reached are these. First and foremost, to tolerate is to condone and therefore I cannot tolerate racist comments or behavior in people. Second, speak out. To speak to thoser around me, to my friends and family, to my children, to anyone and everyone speak out!
And so, I would ask anyone unfamiliar with this important part of civil rights history, please take the time to watch this film which documents the struggles of black families who only wanted to see their children receive a decent education and the repurcussions of this seemingly simple and obvious desire.
Those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it