Sioux City Journal

Racism, bigotry and inequality are 'alive and well'

Posted: Wednesday, April 25, 2007

SIOUX CITY -- The author of a Letter to the Editor headlined "A double standard" in the April 22 Journal obviously extracted very little truth and understanding from the ongoing dialogue concerning the Don Imus issue.

Contrary to what some folks think they know or want to believe, it is NOT OK for anyone black, white, yellow or brown to utter demeaning, derogatory, sexist or racist words or comments over our public airwaves or anywhere else. That is simply unacceptable.

African Americans and others have been addressing this issue for a number of years in our community. Those who are responsible for the making and airing of this trash have and are being confronted about it.

The writer also states that we African Americans should: "... stop blaming the white people for their problems, too." "Slavery was ended a long time ago." "What you make and do with your life now is totally on you and you alone."

Yes, slavery is largely over with, but racism, bigotry and inequality are alive and well in Sioux City and all across America which prevents equal access and justice for too many African Americans.

America has not yet totally fixed the system that when adjusted will create that much needed "level playing field" where all folks have access to the "American dream." Until that becomes a reality, African Americans and other minority groups will continue to have difficult times in America. Who is in charge of the system? -- Richard E. Hayes

Story Comments

Makaha Mark wrote on Dec 5, 2007 4:18 AM:

" Thank you all for your interesting viewpoints. What do you do for fun over there anyway...all issues aside. Not that Wikipedia seemed to know everything about you. I'm really trying to figure what your idea of a good time is...please don't say catfishing (do you have catfish in Iowa?) Anyway, we fry mahi mahi the way you probably fry catfish (if they exist in Iowa) and prefer our tuna raw, in the form of sashimi...especially around Christmas time. What do people in Iowa do for..................................... Well, gotta go....the toilet overflowed, and leaked through the air vents of my two neighbours on the second and first floors....probably due to the storms and backflows, or maybe the stuff they dump in the toilet after sanding and doing all of their little home improvement projects. Stuff backs up either way. Ooops, gotta go..I have to close the windows, it's starting to rain. "

Chell wrote on May 16, 2007 8:45 PM:

" If 18 million minority foreigners who are legal residents in this country became citizens and voted in the elections, racism would begin to fade. I personally hold them responsible for the continued existence of the power structure in this country. I also blame blacks who oppose non-white immigration. Strength comes in numbers. The fact is if I were in the majority I would do exactly what the white people have done...create privilege for ourselves..that is human nature. "

gangsta wrote on May 15, 2007 12:22 PM:

" Hey Sharpton must be the money!He can say something about the mormnon and act like he is close to god. Most all our children are dressing like the rappers and being brain-washed on how to treat one another. The Natives really have no leaders..like how can you trully be sovereign when you depend on a gov't check..it is like feeding a gerbil a peanut and having him run the cirlc getting nowhere.The peole back in the day were real and independent , now that is sovereign, not a code of federal regulation people. I will never have my kids have that approach as many get into positions and try to define just as sharpton what we as natives are. It is bull! Get off the rez and get a life!Don't make a carreer out of politics and you know who you are! "

Agnostic Front wrote on May 4, 2007 10:43 AM:

" I agree with Morgan Freeman: STOP TALKING ABOUT IT.Blacks have so many great role models,Great minds,great actors,Great musicians,to look up to and just as many(if not more) tools in America to become great themselves. Why do some Blacks let the smallest minds in society"keep them down". Everyone regardless of race has obstacles in life.Just because everone doesn't roll out the red carpet at every turn in life is no excuse.I think the minorities need to be every bit as "colorblind" as the rest of us.Your skin color is only an obstacle if you allow it to be.Beware of those who stand to profit from discrimination ie:Jesse Jackson,Al Sharpton. "

eric wrote on May 4, 2007 5:53 AM:

" Listen, for those of you who do not read..Shame on you..... Racism is not a two way street. Racism is not all about color... There is a power dynamic,there is the opportunity for better healthcare and proper sources of food...Institutionally keeping people in the place so capitalism can thrive... The History of this country started off that way and it will continue.... The playing field was never level or fair to begin with,Most whites have a problem with this subject because it make you think about the privledges they have and take for granted. Research the 15th and 16th century for the "white people creation.. Before that whites were called Euorpeans. This white concept brought other white undesireables into the fold which created tension between the communities African and Europe who could work and relate to each other. Oprah is is rich continues to face this on going problem....Racism is an institution and until you address that... Things will remain the same.... "