Ethnically Speaking by Larry Meeks

Dear Larry: About two years ago, there was artwork displayed at Atlanta City Hall titled "Formula For Hatred." It had a blatant anti-white message. It said it is politically correct to hate the white man.

The city officials refused to remove the artwork. They said that it was artwork and that they didn't have any problem with its message.

Larry, I am tired of people stereotyping and condemning me because of my race. No one in my family ever owned a slave, because we came to this country long after slavery ended. Neither my family nor I ever have discriminated against anyone.

It is all right for people to call me names, but when I respond in kind, I am called a racist or am said to lack sensitivity. Why is that? Where is their sensitivity?

We have a black president; I voted for him. We have a black mayor; I voted for him. We have a black school superintendent; I voted for him. My child has a black teacher; I requested her. I could go on and on, but I still am accused of being a racist.

I am tired and angry, and I wish people would get off my back. What can I do?

I know you can't answer the question, but it was good to vent. — Lenore

Dear Lenore: The primary reason people accuse others of being racists is it works for them. When they use that term, it immediately puts you on the defensive and gives them some kind of moral advantage. It has nothing to do with whether or not they are accurate.

Once they can identify a villain, it relieves them of their responsibility. They have an excuse for failure.

It gives them a chance to say that their lack of achievement is not their fault.

Yes, it is politically correct to vilify whites. The only way you can put a stop to this is to become aggressive in bringing about a change.

Whites should take lessons from gays, the disabled, women and other groups of minorities. Form a group that is called "Fairness for All Americans," with the primary purpose of ensuring that whites are no longer the enemy and that it's uncool to blame whites for every ill in America.

Whites need to become vocal in their dissent. They need to make their presence known in the media. Write books, newspaper/magazine articles and essays on how discrimination against whites lessens our society and how anyone who keeps advocating hatred toward whites is wrong. A lawsuit needs to be filed against the City of Atlanta or any person who considers white hatred acceptable.

Create a slush fund for politicians to pass laws. They respond to money like fish to water. Don't forget to pass out large quantities to black and Hispanic leaders. They will take the money and tone down their rhetoric. Businesses do this all the time; it works.

Make noise at schools — elementary through college. Change the biased textbooks. Challenge teachers who are bigots, and work to have a few fired if they do not change.

Whites will continue to be the evil villain unless they work to make a change. The change will not happen on its own. It is like slavery, which never would have ended if enough people hadn't come together and forced the issue.

With that said, the ball is in your court.

To find out more about Larry G. Meeks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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