ETHNICALLY SPEAKING by Larry Meeks on Creators.com

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Ethnically Speaking, October 10

Dear Larry: I teach English to juniors in high school, and our curriculum consists of American literature. Quite often, some of the stories contain racial undertones, and others, such as "The Invisible Man" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," contain flat-out racist thinking.

Many times, my students have brought these ideas to light during class discussions. Almost every time, I find myself referencing you and then pointing my students in the direction of your column.

I think that too often as a society, we are bombarded with the idea that society takes advantage of blacks or that blacks are just 40-ounce-drinking, uneducated people who listen to rap music.

You have allowed me to provide to my students that this way of thinking does not need to prevail or continue. Your column has provided some of my black students — and they specifically have said this — a commonality for them.

Some have said that they feel pressured to be the stereotype. However, reading your column allows them to feel "normal."

My white students have said that they didn't realize anything existed outside the stereotype and that they even agree with most of the things you say.

It is never my goal to tell my students what to think; it's to make them think. Thank you, Mr. Meeks, for helping me to make that happen in my classroom. Thank you for your open and honest approach to racial issues. — Nichole

Dear Nichole: Thank you for the kind words, but it saddens me to think your students could possibly represent the typical thinking of high-school students. If that is true, the future of America is in a lot of trouble.

I pray the media are listening.

We must do more to change the message our children are receiving.

Dear Larry: I am a 66-year-old white man who became very ill in 2007 with an infection in my right leg. I came down with a fever of 103 and was given some very new medication. The result of this combination presented me with total loss of my long-term memory. I did not know who my wife was, my children or where I was. Some of it came back, but there are still gaps. I cannot remember my childhood, school days or driving semis across the country for more than 20 years.

With that said, I am confused about a term that is being used; black Americans are referred to as "African-Americans." I am Danish and English, but I do not call myself Danish-American or Danish-English-American. I am trying to understand why people born in America are not Americans regardless of whether they are black or white.

If this were Canada, would black people be African-Canadians or black Canadians? If this were England, would they be African-English?

I know a few black families who consider themselves black Americans. I really enjoy reading your column, and I believe that you give people honest answers to their questions. Please help me to understand mine. — Confused

Dear Confused: I am sorry for your illness and pray for your full recovery.

The reason people put identifier tags on their nationalities is America is preoccupied with race and political correctness. This preoccupation started when the first settlers came to America and started a "we/they" society.

This grew, especially with slavery, flourished in the Jim Crow era, and now has reached its zenith in our aim to become a colorblind society.

This race labeling is ironic because the labels were used in the past to discriminate and now are used for the opposite purpose.

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.