Black History Month Observations

When I was asked to think about writing an article on the subject of “Racism in America,” I thought to myself, no problem! Man-oh-Man was I wrong. For three or four days I thought through and prayed about what would be the best approach. Would it be interesting to talk about being around, seeing, and personally experiencing all the issues that we went through as a nation from 1954 to the present? Would it be interesting to talk about the personal victories that I experienced by becoming one of the first of four blacks to attend an all-white college in Texas? Or would it be exciting to talk about being the first Black New Mexico State Police Officer and being stationed in Gallup, New Mexico? Or maybe, the first black Pastor in an all-white church in Hillsboro, Oregon?

I believe that all of those historical stories would be very informative, interesting, exciting, and educational, but I think I have something much more important to say about what is needed for the days that we are living in. And I will make it short, sweet, and to the point.

As individuals and as a nation, we need to turn back to those fundamental biblical and conservative values that made us the great nation that we are and that enabled God to bless us. And what are those values? Our devotion and commitment to freedom, charity, equality, justice, and individual rights.

Additionally, we must remember that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s speech, “I Have a Dream” was a speech where he called for us to work towards civil and economic rights and to end racism in the United States of America.

With all this in mind, it is more than time for us to stop all the ignorant political rhetoric, hate speech, and downright stupidity, and to start acting like the educated and enlightened adults that we are.

And where must that start? Well again, since we are celebrating and enjoying Black History month, a great place to start was mentioned in the very same speech, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, said it this way: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

My fellow Americans and citizens of the great state of New Mexico, it is more than time for us to stop pointing fingers and get busy striving towards fulfilling that dream, and of course, realign ourselves to be blessed by God again!