Letter to the Editor

From Lnsmith86@aol.com:

I feel it is important for people to start getting over the racist thoughts of our parents’ and grandparents’ generations. I am a 17 year old white female getting ready to graduate from high school and go to college in the fall to study nursing. I wish to be a neonatal nurse and possibly a spanish translator. I am one of the most antiracist people I know and it’s ironic that my family is so different. Yes some of my family has black friends and such, but if I was to say something to the effect of dating a black guy or something like that, I would more than likely be disowned. Growing up the South, this has always been a topic for discussion because everyone has their different viewpoints and beliefs.

This is a poem I wrote last summer on getting rid of racism. I know it isn’t much, but if it opens up one person’s eyes to be able to see why we should rid this world of racism, I have accomplished something.

Racism is surely against the Lutheran Catechism.
The price we pay for people’s ignorance
Is the world’s prejudice.
We are all the same-only our skin has a different name.
If a person’s smile can make a person’s spirit lift a mile,
Surely a smile can strike up a conversation
That can lessen the aggression.
We come from all over the world
For dear freedom we hold.
Why after all the years
Do we still shed the same tears?
Our generation has a lot to celebrate,
But there are still too many issues
In which to concentrate.
I pray for the day
There is unity
In every racial community.
I’m sure God has to be sad,
When he looks down and sees all the bad.
If we were just able to steer clear of our fear,
And learn that we all just year
For the Great American Dream – freedom.

I hope this helps a little. If anyone would like to share something with me, please feel free. I only ask that you not do it rudely if your opinion varies from mine. I will gladly give your ideas thought either way.

Thank you