It should be apparent to almost everyone that we are making little headway in solving our race relations problems between blacks and other races. Clinton's rhetoric and affirmative action stance will more likely exacerbate the problems.

Instead of further pandering by politicians and much of the black leadership to black people, perhaps what is needed is a strong dose of reality. The black race as a group is not likely to join the main stream either socially or economically as long as they are constantly being told that their problems are caused by historical slavery, racism and attendant problems beyond their control.

The evidence is rather substantial that their is considerably more to their problems than the color of their skin. Many blacks have succeeded immensely. Look no further than Colin Powell, Thomas Sowell, Shelby Steele, Walter Williams, Clarence Thomas, Bill Cosby and literally hundreds of thousands of successful black businessmen, doctors, lawyers, actors etc.

There is considerable evidence that there is more a cultural and attitude problem than a color problem.

The income per person and per family for first generation immigrants from Africa, Trinidad, Tobago and Jamaica are over 50% higher than native black Americans. They are also more likely to marry. In Brooklyn, where their is a diversity of black origins, employers tend to hire and pay higher pay to black immigrants - not because of the color of their skin but because they have an industrious attitude and or more reliable.

Much of the animosity towards the white race is a carry over from slavery fed and nourished by the politicians and some black leadership to maintain personal power.. However much emotional appeal this has there is no logical justification for these attitudes. The Civil War ended over 130 years ago - that's well over a century. There are no persons alive today that personally experienced slavery. There are no significant numbers of black persons alive today who's parents experienced slavery. There is no white person alive today that ever owned a slave and only a minuscule percentage of whites owned slaves during the days of slavery.

Slavery is an unfortunate blemish on the history of mankind - both black and white races. During the Ira of slavery black natives of Africa captured and sold other black natives into slavery. At times past, whites were also pressed into slavery. And where would today's black US citizens be living and under what conditions, if their grand parents and great grand parents had not been brought to the US as slaves?

Would the present black citizens of the US be better off If their ancestors had not been brought over as slaves? Not likely. Just look at most of Africa and the typical standard of living. To days blacks should be thankful their ancestors were brought here from Africa. They have truly gained from their ancestors suffering.

And who freed the slaves in the US? A black uprising? No, the white citizens of the US with a loss of over 600,000 lives - greater than the losses in two World Wars.

Are there white racists? Certainly. Are all whites or even most whites racists. Of course not and I think there is ample evidence to show this. Are there blacks who are criminals, indolent etc.? Of course there are. Are all or most blacks criminals and lazy? Of course not and I think the objective evidence shows this. Are there black racists? Of course there are.

Racism is defined "ra·cism ( r³"s¹z"…m) n. 1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior (or inferior) to others. 2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race. rac "ist adj. n."

People of white, yellow, tan and black skin come in all shapes, sizes, attitudes, degrees of intelligence, education, wealth etc. These characteristics are not conditions of race but of individuals of all races.

Leaving out race, how do we acquire friends, respect and acceptance? By earning it. Certainly not by laws or regulations, belligerence or an accusational manner. Friendship, respect and acceptance cannot be mandated or acquired by laws or regulations.

Only after all races understand these facts and conduct themselves in a constructive and civil manner will we make real progress on race relations.