America is under assault.

This is a country that has come far in a relatively short amount of time. A country where the responsibility of every American—black, brown, white, or mixed—should lie with the individual, but instead being “American” & “of color” is under assault. From within…and not in the way many in the MSM might think. There is more and more talk, in a nation that is supposedly so “united” behind Hope & Change, of claims for reparations for Blacks & other minorities. A SEPARATIST idea that is sure to fuel a fire between African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, etc. & the nation that gave them the freedoms they (and many other races) enjoy today. Being a “victim” in America today is your best shot at being noticed…that’s sad. That’s sad for all Americans, regardless of race. And I’m fed up. I cannot take another person telling me that because I’m “Hispanic” I’m somehow disadvantaged. I’m so tired of people feeling “sympathetic” when they ask me about my college education & financial situation—and while I take pride in saying that it’s “In Progress”, they automatically assume it’s because I haven’t been shown the “right way…” I haven’t applied for enough government aid or because I didn’t have good enough grades in High School, but rather “only had potential…”

The truth…I had a 3.97 GPA in High School & it was because I applied myself. Even though I often hated every last minute of it, I promised my father I would at least go that far—and I did. And further. I was awarded grants & scholarships & money that I chose not to accept at that time because I didn’t like the stigma associated with it. Now, don’t take this out of context…don’t think that I’m implying taking financial aide for your education is wrong—I’m not. For some, it’s fine. I even encourage it in certain situations because I believe that education is part of the great contribution we, as “minorities”, can offer to the American society as productive members. But for me, I’m plugging away at my education, piece by piece, course by course…part of my reward is found in knowing that I did it myself in every way I could & have yet to ask for help. I am one who chooses NOT to be a “victim” of my heritage.

President Obama recently spoke about “Universal Education” from kindergarten until your first job—he said something about this being the way to secure America’s future—yes, that’s right…by handing out more “government assistance” a.k.a. our tax dollars to pay for yet another colossal spending project. All for us “disadvantaged minorities & our communities”, right?

It’s enough to send me through the roof! I’ve had enough! I’m so tired of listening to “leaders” in our communities tell me & other people from similar backgrounds how evil the White man is! I’m tired of caring about people & communities that don’t care about themselves. They receive funding continually and most do not take advantage of such opportunity. They drop out of schools. They sleep around & impregnate or become impregnated at younger & younger ages. They don’t care. I’m sick of the Hillary Clinton’s & Jesse Jackson’s of the world that constantly defend the government monopoly on education systems that fail our youth—as a result, we see an ever-increasing inner-city youth that cannot read, write, or compute at grade level. That is not the “White Man’s fault.” That is YOUR fault. Yes, I said it. If you choose not to better yourself, that is YOUR fault. Many of these “leaders” continue to try fighting against “white supremacy & racism” as if the conditions that existed during the Jim Crowe days remain unchanged. We give these leaders full permission to say whatever it is they want, always describing the

White Man as the enemy, and yet the truth is—we minorities are our own enemy. Prior to MLK (in many minds), the White Man was the only obstacle between the Black Man & his success…Post-MLK, it’s the Hispanics that are the problem.

Why is it that so few minorities see the pattern here? Where is the personal responsibility? If the church (whatever denomination it is) is such a corner-stone in our communities, why is there not more of a pro-active role taken?

Listening to a radio show the other day, a Black woman told the host of the show (I’m paraphrasing here) that since the Hispanics had taken over her community violence had erupted on the streets—and that we (Hispanics) are the reason she has no job. She said that she was an American & wanted to know where her slice of the pie was…where was her job? After moving past the initial rage, the conclusion I can draw from that statement…people of non-European backgrounds have not changed, in large part. But rather, the way they view other groups & skin colors has adapted to disguise how it is that they discriminate. The way that “we” discriminate…and I only include myself in the “we” because I’m “Hispanic” too! So now it should be a little clearer that “White” is not the issue here…The issue that we must get past—ourselves.

Diversity is strength—that is why this nation thrives ten-fold to racially & culturally specific countries that allow no free exchange of ideas, cultures, religions, etc. And when being American suits you (as a minority) you claim it…but otherwise, you denounce it & call for reparations & claim discrimination. You hyphenate the word “American” placing your preferred group in front of it. And yet, when a new “group” moves in you are just “American” again.

“Frustrated that some are "finally" proud of their country...Funny how I always have been!”

From: Understanding

No disrespect but even with the accomplishments of people of color over the years ... a country that promoted slavery, segregation and the legalized domestic terrorism of Jim Crow Laws didn't exactly give some of us reason 2 be proud. It was a mere generation ago that the government sanctioned blacks, whites, Jews and anyone else who stood up 4 what was right having dogs attack them and being water hosed.

Even in the midst of the American people speaking up and putting Obama in the White House I'm sure u're aware that the ugliness of racism and even classism still exists. Nevertheless ... God Bless America.

My Response:

Dear "Understanding",

While I respect your viewpoint of this current political situation (and my Status Message), and can definitely appreciate the significance of electing Barack Obama as the first Bi-Racial man to be the 44^th President, I am torn—as I have been this past week, at some of the snide remarks citizens of this country have made.

Believe me, watching Fox News declare Obama the President-Elect was a moment of elation for ANYONE who does not come from the “White Aristocratic” people that have, in the past, governed our great (and ever-evolving) nation.

Did I wish that all of those citizens of the past that were oppressed and denied their rights due to the color of their skin could see this great moment and rejoice in it as so many of their ancestors did?

I absolutely did.

But did it take electing a man that does not fit the common gov’t demographic for me to feel proud of this country and the opportunities it allows so many?

It absolutely did not.

I am a 1^st generation Immigrant to this country. My parents both came from Warring, military dictatorships that preached “democracy” but lived corruption, segregation, and class warfare…And having family in those countries still, I do have a great understanding of these things.

I am not rich. I am not white. I am not from a family that was well-off. But I was raised in an environment, by my father, that instilled values of hard-work and perseverance of one’s dreams…That is what has gotten me as far as it has. That is what makes me question motives of Obama and some of his political counter-parts…And I, as a legal American citizen, have every right to do so. Just as you are entitled to your opinion…

Am I aware that racism still exists in America today? Yes. As I am aware that Jim Crow Laws are no longer a legal part of our society today.

Attending a predominately “White, upper-class” high school, I am well aware that the social norms for people who are of color (whichever color that may be) are much different from those who are not.

I know exactly what it’s like to be the one who didn’t fit within one demographic or the other.

I know exactly what it’s like to not have someone that resembled me and my people within the body of those that govern our country.

As I know what it’s like to have people within our society today, “write you off” because of the color of your skin, at whatever the task you are trying to accomplish is.

I was always too dark to be white with a funny accent (which I was unaware I had until someone else pointed it out) and Too light to be “Brown” in the eyes of some of my own family members and people within our “Hispanic” community.

So because of that, I was challenged to build myself as a person based on my beliefs and interests. The values that my father instilled in me…

And it pains me to see that so great a portion of our “minority societies” seem to have lost sight of that.

And you are correct in that a large portion of America stood up and elected Obama as our Nation’s Leader…and hopefully it was because his value system reflected theirs.

Would I have been ecstatic to have someone that comes from a Cultural background similar to mine and the people I grew up with, representing us in the White House? Absolutely…I just wish that I could say his values were more reflecting of my own and what values my people stand for.

And I wish that rather than say “I am ‘for the 1^st time proud of my country’” for electing a “Black man” someone would say, “Wow! He reflects exactly what our people desire in this nation.” And that the voice of the people will finally be heard from one end of the country to the other. But they don’t. And that, Understanding, is where we part ways.

Do I respect President-Elect Obama for all that he has accomplished thus far? Absolutely…As I will be loyal to my nation, our Constitution, and our founding ideals—regardless of who occupies the Oval Office and how different our opinions may be.

LaGoldEyez!