Racism in America

I agree with Mr. Smiley that race tends to be a sensitive topic of discussion.  However, I do not believe that the topic is avoided because much the United States population is racist. In fact, I think we have almost gone to far in trying to correct racist views.  We are now so politically correct for fear of offending anyone that we avoid saying anything substantial.  Therefore, it is very difficult to have meaningful conversations about race.  People who do bring up substantial issues such as poverty, crime and, out-of-wedlock childbirth in the black community are labeled racists.  In reality, they simply trying to the issues to light, so they can be resolved.  I will not deny that there are still racists in America.  There probably always will be.  However, I believe they are small minority.  I think people sometimes try to attract attention to the issue of racism in America by injecting race into situations that had nothing to do with race.  By bring such attention, I think are actually making the problem of racism worse.  They are inflating a relatively minor issue and causing people to think more about race than is wise or necessary.  Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of a world in which people would be judged by the content of their character not the color of their skin.  He wanted society to be "colorblind".  Since race is continually being brought to the forefront in today's society, people are actually becoming more aware of color.  We need to stop highlighting race so much.  I think conditions will improve if we actually do not focus on having targeted conversations about race.  For example, in response to isolated incidents such as the Trayvon Martin case, which I do believe involved racism, I think discussion is appropriate.  However, the conversation should be limited and calm.  Over the summer, the media coverage of the Trayvon Martin case and its implications was seemingly constant.  The debate was also very intense and polarized, but not always productive.  I think many people were so overwhelmed by the sheer volume of coverage that they stopped paying attention.  I believe most effective addresses regarding race are those that are calm and simple yet powerful.  For example, President Obama gave a the nation an insight into his experiences living as a black man in America, which I think was very effective.  He was not condemning anyone or yelling about how unfair his situation is.  He spoke calmly and honestly from the heart.  I think people respond best to that sort of message.  Conversation about race should be equally as calm and heart-felt.  They should create a desire for unity not further division.