Racism......

Here is another enjoyable topic up for discussion here at beginnings blog. It is nothing to be made light of and is all together a horrible thing that has torn societies apart since the beginning of time. Most recently we heard the effects of racism on the Jewish people. Millions were killed, starved, tortured, and many are still effected by the hate driven actions of a racist population. What can be done about this? As for the past, nothing. All we can do is always remember so that we can prevent it from ever happening again. Our generation should never feel guilty for anything that has happened to the people decades ago. We are only to hear their stories, learn our history, and accept that horrible things happened and will happen when ignorance and hate lead to action. With that we have a responsibility to never make the same mistakes as our forefathers and nothing more. I believe racism is a huge problem in our world but every day it fades.
One thing that has always irritated me about the discussion on racism is the tendency to blame people of today for the actions of people in the past. As a white, male American it sometimes feels as though I should always be apologizing or feel guilty for the actions of all previous white males who have discriminated against African Americans, such as slavery or the KKK, or Japanese Americans for their placement into internment camps. I had nothing to do with any of that and would never approve of such things so why should I be targeted? I think bitterness plays a huge part of racism today. We have to learn to forgive not only each other but the generations before us for their mistakes. Who are we to be stingy with forgiveness when our Lord and Savior gives it so willingly? That is pretty much the main point I have to say. Racism is a horrible aspect of our lives here on earth, but it can be overcome with patience and understanding, just like any other problem.