The editorial from the professor at UT Austin (Aug. 23) has pinpointed the fact that most of us hold prejudices of which we are not aware, and perhaps it would be helpful to bring those out into the open and deal with them.
But the means of doing that may be more destructive than helpful.
For instance, calling others racists and insinuating that they have no virtues or values brings about psychological defensive mechanisms that may hinder any useful purpose particularly when those accused may see that same vise lurking in the eyes of the accuser.
We need not be white nor black to be prejudiced and that prejudice need not be racial.
As one earlier editorial pointed out, we may like cats and hate dogs. We are complex in our variances, but we have a common dislike of being accused with rancor of harboring any repugnant characteristics.
Judging from the violence and insults that are viewed on TV and in the news, we have lost the ability to like the good in each others and the patience to deal with their and our own shortcomings.
Tearing down historical monuments, maybe with the idea that out of sight will put them out of mind, may bring into prominence something that has not previously had such a connotation and lead to the unintended.
The professor indicates that perhaps Trump has done a service by bringing racism to the surface and making it a grave issue, but the fact that Obama as an avowed black was in a singular position to bring about change, took sides and justified unlawful behavior because of the past and the residue of racism in the present.
Sometimes, bringing attention to how far we have come is a better motivation to continue on that road than berating others for our faltering steps along the way.
Perhaps, helping the deprived by giving them the opportunity to raise themselves brings about more self reliance, more self assurance and more pride in themselves than being relegated to a deprecating form of charity.
Better schools, positive motivation and the possibility to better ones self may be the route to follow, and when one has reason for these virtues, admiration follows.
Granted, we each need to work on our thinking about others and our judgments, but waving a red flag, even with the best of intentions, may just infuriate the bull within us.
If we intend to eradicate history, we will have no reference to direct our steps in the future. Without acknowledging our weaknesses, we will not be aware of what needs to be corrected.
I hope that we cease to lower ourselves to name calling, and look to ourselves and cast out our own weakness before casting stones.
Sincerely, Norma Christian Raymondville
