By Stephen McKenzie, Hamilton
Thanks to Dee Gibney (Star 7/1/2020) for pointing out the irrationality of expecting Caucasian citizens to bear responsibility for the wrongs done by prior generations (to whom we may not even be related) to Africans (or Chinese, or Irish, or native Americans, or any other group) in the past. As the Bible says, children should not be punished for their parents’ wrongdoing nor vice versa.
As far as widespread prejudice and mistreatment today, it is a myth. No group is being systematically denied opportunity in our nation today; instead most “minority groups” have been given special treatment and enhanced opportunities. Some seize that opportunity and succeed, and some refuse to join the American economic and social system and as a result stay locked in poverty and dependency, or follow a life of crime and antisocial behavior.
The American experiment and system of governance has (and still does) work better than any other form of government in history. To destroy it, dramatically alter it or replace it is idiocy. What’s wrong with our nation is not our governmental system – it is the quality and motivation of our citizens and leaders. Where did common sense, personal responsibility, patriotism and love of country, justice, community spirit and altruism disappear to? Instead greed, partisanship, dishonesty, irresponsibility, selfishness, escapism, treachery and laziness reign. Those traits produce an ungovernable mob; no equitable form of government can generate quality of life from that stew.
What is the answer? As our coins say, trust in God and ask Him to change each of us into the person we ought to be.