"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." Martin Luther King Jr.
Do we really judge people by their character and not the color of their skin? We claim we are colorblind, but are we? Do we not assume certain things about people based on height, weight, race or religion? What is it in us that makes us do this? We all have, at one time or another, judged someone based on these criteria. Being born one race is not a privilege or a disadvantage. People are people and should be treated as equal.
That being said, I tread into hostile waters. My friends are varied. Most of them believe as I do and are of similar backgrounds at least ethnically. It seems to be in human nature to bond with people who are most like yourself. Why is it some intelligent people, who accept conservative ideals, voted for Barack Obama? I ask myself this and remember the Howard Stern experiment in Harlem. It was because of the color of his skin and not the content of his character.
Mr. King had a great point and one that is overlooked in an effort to promote diversity. People should not have privileges because of their race. All men and women are created equal. We should judge people based on their character and their ideals not their skin color. Yet, we do and we did. Make no mistake; I know many people who disagree with over half of what Mr. Obama stands for yet voted for him. They wear “The first black President” shirts and political T-shirts that speak of “Change”. The very change they did not want all because of the color of someone’s skin.
It is a sad fact that we still do not vote based on character. We vote based on who is the most like us or to break some tradition. One day, I hope I see a nation that focuses on character and not skin color. I too have a dream that all people are created equal and that one day we will vote based on principles and character and not skin color.
