Reader's view: Racist tactics are wrong way to fight racism

I was very shocked to see a war waged on racism using racial tactics.

Do I believe there is racism in the Twin Ports? Yes. Am I white? Yes. Am I racist? No, I am not. Do I know racist people? Yes, I do.

What do I do as a white person to help stop racism? I educate people, I volunteer my time and I promote new programs that will diversify groups. I give sound arguments with justifiable means. I don’t attack; I educate.

The Un-Fair Campaign does not have to come right out and say all whites are racist; the campaign leaves that open for speculation. And that, I am afraid, is going to lead to an all-out race war.

I grew up in this area; there were only a few students of color in my school. The fact is, more people of color are moving into this area. It is not that all whites are racist, not even the majority. The influx of people of color is something new. This is why we need to educate ourselves and our children and learn how to deal with diversity.

We as Americans have to learn to live and accept people how they are. We have been fighting the backlash of the Civil War since it ended. I don’t see that ending anytime soon. In fact, I believe this campaign will only trigger a racial war.

I don’t believe this campaign was intended to do that. I believe it was a good thought, though misguided. You don’t stop racism by being racist; you stop it by educating people, talking about it and by learning from past mistakes. How do you maintain your integrity when you yourself are doing the very thing you are attacking?

Angela Mertes Higgins

Superior

Tags: readers view, unfair campaign, opinion, editorials, community