"There is a natural disgust in the minds of nearly all white people to the idea of indiscriminate amalgamation of the white and black races ... A separation of the races is the only perfect preventive of amalgamation, but as an immediate separation is impossible, the next best thing is to keep them apart where they are not already together, said Lincoln. That doesn't sound like integration. Is this the diversity we have had preached to us incessantly for the past decades? Lincoln went on to say, "Where there is a will there is a way," and what colonization needs most is a hearty will. Will springs from the two elements of moral sense and self-interest. Let us be brought to believe it is morally right, and, at the same time, favorable to, or, at least, not against, our interest, to transfer the African to his native clime, and we shall find a way to do it, however great the task may be." Interesting many blacks prefer to be called "African Americans" and cling to their African "roots" which would lend one to believe Lincoln's position had credence and might be viable today. Words on the issue from Lincoln from the famous debates with Douglas, "I have no purpose to introduce political and social equality between the white and black races. There is physical difference between the two which, in my judgment, will probably forever forbid their living together upon the footing of perfect equality, and inasmuch as it becomes a necessity that there must be a difference, I, as well as Judge Douglas, am in favor of the race to which I belong having the superior position." Further, "I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races; I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people. I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I, as much as any other man, am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race." Contrast Lincoln's position with that of Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis who actually adopted a black child. While Davis cited the Bible for historical and divine justification for slavery, he also believed slavery would naturally disappear within a generation (with the coming of the industrial revolution). But the results of the emancipation of the slaves thru the 13th Ammendment to the Constitution (and not the Emancipation Proclamation) and the Civil Rights movement are debatable when you examine the poverty and despair wrought on the black populace of our country. The relatively recent policies of diversity, ethnic hyphenation of American identity and affirmative action contradict the time proven melting pot which was the key to the rise of greatness for the United States of America. Integration has been rejected by the very minorities for which it was meant to provide an equal footing in favor of a militant demand for recognition of (sub)cultural validity. The escalation of single mother households in the black population as well as the inordinate divorce rate in mixed race (particularly white/black interracial) marriages highlights the quandry with the growing acceptance of these interracial unions. Crime is a recognized plight of society burdened by rampant unemployment and a weak family foundation, which does not place the requisite value on human life - the terrorist cells in Arab countries follows this same model. According to the Guttmacher Institute, black women have abortions at 5 times the rate of whites. Is the inordinate abortion rate among blacks a natural precursor for the black-on-black and gang violent crime epidemic? An appreciation of the value of each human life, each individual, without regard for the color of their skin but predicated on their worth and constructive contributions to the furthering of our communities and country should be the measure of a post racial society. This current generation may be the first to leave our country worse for our children and it is because of the anchor of entitlements burdening our country's prosperity and the breakdown of the family structure especially in the black community which is only awarded and furthered by the federal welfare misplaced safety net. Along with a revival of spiritual Christian dedication including principles of personal responsibility which should guide our nation and all of its citizens, we should remember quotations of two famous statesmen from the 1960s, another turbulent period in United States history. "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." And. "I have a dream that my 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. And if America is to be a great nation this must become true."
No comments:
Post a Comment