Mr. Coleman waxes eloquent regarding his recently found mantra written by Krister Stendard, “Our vision is more obstructed by what we know than by our lack of knowledge.”
He may have read it but then he did not follow it in his writing. As he delved into Terry Garlock’s article, he steps over the line several times due to his “lack of knowledge” of Mr. Garlock.
He uses assumptions, or as he claims, “Mr. Garlock demonstrates his limited vision by relying on deeply held prejudices.” This lack of knowledge of who Mr. Garlock is as a person has obstructed his views of both Mr. Garlock and the reality of what real prejudice is.
Prejudice, the word itself, like “politically correct,” has becomes a highly over-used disclaimer. In today’s society these words are used quickly to quell any voice that rings true but irritates those minority voices who would rather demean than agree. Shame on us for allowing this to happen for so long.
Prejudice is to pre-judge; we are now way past the point of pre-judgment. When the media is told not to include the race of a perpetrator in order to keep racial tension at a minimal level, it is not prejudice or pre-judgement. It is subversive and bias towards the reality of what is happening within our communities.
Mr. Coleman, you wrote, “The reality is that sometimes we need to speak up.” Yes, we do, and I believe that it’s time that the white community is allowed to voice its opinion regarding the prejudices belayed on it in today’s modern America.
If I voice an opinion of this President’s administration, I am called a racist? Oh, I forgot, I can only be called “half a racist” because our President is half white.
I for one can’t understand why the President of our country, responsible to its entire people, only seems to embrace the black side of his heritage. Is it because, from his beginning, as a youth he realized his black heritage might open more doors for him than his white heritage?
When a young white girl cannot be accepted into Florida State University with higher SATs and GPAs than those selected due to quota, is there injustice in our system? Some are just able to use the system better than others.
I agree police brutality and a militaristic police force is aberrant, but if one follows the news, it appears all races are receiving unfair search and seizures.
As for racial profiling, when young men walk down the street wearing a “cowl and a scowl” it is usually done to intimidate — and it works.
Is this racial profiling or a fear that leads neighbors to call the police due to suspicious activity? When most television news depicts a predominant amount of blacks committing crimes, is it prejudice or a reality not to trust our younger black citizens?
Now, before it gets to the point that it might be said about me is, “I wouldn’t call him a racist but …” — I am a “Southerner,” born in the south Bronx, New York.
My mentor, the man who changed this New York City wise guy, high school dropout’s life, was Thomas N. Barnes, chief master sergeant of the Air Force. He was a black man with a heart of gold and a diamond personality. He is the reason I am the man I am today and I bless him every day for the patience, intelligence, and sense of humor he imparted to me and so many others.
I have served on Race Relation Committees in Newark, N.J., and chaired the committee in Goldsboro, N.C. My first position after the military was as a job developer for a predominately black community in Lakewood N.J.
So, please don’t paint me a color or as a shaded position against any human being. Paint me an American who is deeply saddened by the path this country chooses to take.
Joel A. Kinsman
Peachtree City, Ga.
