Racism

David Swerdlick brings a lot of passion to this article, and I liked it all - especially the passion! As a white guy, I have seen a lot of racial problems handed out and for the life of me I really, honestly, genuinely cannot figure out why. Perhaps too much whining is done about this sort of thing, but I expect that all the whining would miraculously go away if more people would listen and then act to finally stamp out racism. To be blunt, I am disgusted with anyone who looks down at another person because of his or her colour! Whine or no whine, I will always feel that way and I’ll tell you why.
I was born in 1960 - to white parents. I have three older sisters, (adopted if you must know): one Métis (French Canadian and Native) & a set of Japanese and Irish twins. Following me is a blood-related sister and at the end of the family is my youngest sister, a full-blooded Native girl from the west coast of Canada. Now you may be surprised or not, but us six kids grew up as siblings and my four adopted sisters are as much my sisters as the one who was born to my mother. I don't have as good a tan as some in my family, but the colour difference is meaningless to me. My nieces and nephews come in several shades, but who cares? They are all my family & I love them equally!
In 1967, my father received the Order of Canada for service to his country - for having adopted my four sisters & creating a diverse inter-racial family. The recognition was awesome, but in some ways it’s sad. What difference does the colour of one’s skin make? Why should the adoption of a few children be considered so worthy of such accolades in the first place? We are all human beings – members of the human race. We are all here on this vast planet called earth – together I might add. We all want to live after the manner of happiness. I think we are all agreed on that? Perhaps the racists of the world should take a good look in the mirror. What gives their reflection any more right to life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness than anyone else’s? I say, “Just calm down and forget about colour because it only matters if you are feeling the poisoning influence of racism!” Instead of hastily climbing onto the high horse of haughtiness, perhaps we should all pause to look in the mirror. Perhaps we should ask ourselves the tough question? “Does skin colour matter to me?” I don’t think it should.