What would you do if you heard someone insulting another based on race? On NBC’s Dateline What would you do? They hired actors and staged a discrimination scene. The setting was an open house with a realtor (actor) telling a Muslim couple (actors), they “weren’t a good fit for the neighborhood” based on their race. Dateline wanted to investigate, if anyone would step-in and stand up for the minority couple.  Though many people were appalled, only a few told the realtor, “This is unacceptable behavior!” To be honesty, I know I would be appalled but I’m not sure I would confront the person directly; probably tell someone else about it, or write about it on my blog. Watching it, it really pissed me off, and I was immensely proud of those people who spoke up. If I’m ever in that situation, I hope I have the COURAGE to say something.

In the US, racism is a well-known issue. From racial profiling to other issues such as affirmative action, police brutality against minorities and the history of slavery and the rising resentment against immigrants. Since the horrific terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, Security concerns have increased, but so too has racial profiling, discrimination etc. Some Americans STILL are against those who resemble Muslims, especially with beards, turbans, hijabs, thoubs and their prayer cloths. Hell! Our own officials at American airports pay closer attention, and at times stop those who resemble Muslims for no other reason. All that tells me is we are judge by the color of our skin.

About a year ago, the nephew was walking home from a football game. He and his friends decided to take a darken path through the woods – a shortcut to their after football hangout, Kings Restaurant. Several boys and a girl, jumped out at them. The nephew’s friends took off, and sadly, the nephew was attacked and beaten black and blue. Now, I told you this story with no race given. Even without knowing the color of someone’s skin, the story is STILL appalling. So why is it, we add color? When I heard the story, my family painted wholeheartedly the picture full of color. What happened was completely outrageous. However, it had nothing to do with race; so why is it mentioned? I later find out some of those kids have troubled homes, poor education, and I’m sure, many other turmoil’s – it was more about wrong place, wrong time – that’s ALL.

Recently, we elected Barack Obama as our Commander and Chief.  According to many, he is an African American. OK, isn’t he what we call “white” also? In fact, he refers to himself as a “mutt.” So, why is it we only see him as an African American? Why can’t we ‘just’ see him as Barack Obama, American President? Um, could it be the color of his skin?

What would you do?