Waiting on The World To Change

The line from the hit by pop singer John Mayer comes to mind every time I hear Al Sharpton, Georgetown Michael Eric Dyson or the latest educated celebrity fool, Harvard Professor extraordinaire Henry Louis Gates speak about "having honest conversations about race in America. They believe that law enforcement will change their behavior before we do- they have it backwards. Respect, just as with individuals comes from the inside out-not the other way around. In black America our culture in the inner cities over the past forty years of crime, violence, buffoonery and belligerence has made it almost impossible for us to be viewed with respect from just about any other society on earth. The worst among us unfortunately has made it difficult for the best among us. I must say however that in my humble view the so called "educated" among are the worst offenders. They in spite of their illusion of brilliance are largely ineffective in convincing the masses of blacks that "change"- a word that we have fallen in love with- is an inside job.

As the world knows, professor Gates was arrested by Cambridge Massachusetts police after breaking into his own home. According to the police report, Gates became irate and berated officer James Crowley after initially refusing to cooperate. Gates has alleged he was a victim of racial profiling. The incident which was already overblown received additional over hype when our President chose to weigh in by saying that the Cambridge police department behaved "stupidly by arresting officer gates in his own home". Obama's opinion may have been tainted by his admitted friendship with Gates. The president comments sparked outrage not only from the Cambridge police but from law enforcement nationwide. In an attempt to quell tensions, Obama invited Professor Gates and officer Crowley to the White house for a beer.

When the incident with Gates burst onto the national stage, in typical fashion the black elite screamed racism. When black elitist shout racism, it becomes a matter of fact simply because they say it is so. The Professor did exactly what so called educated people are not supposed to do: point fingers without examining ones own actions. This rings true for blacks in general. To be honest, I have come to hate the MLK festivities during the month of January and it has nothing to do with Dr. King. The King holiday has become a series of "what white people need to do" conventions all across America. There is virtually no introspection about our own negative perceptions and yes....racism.

Racial profiling does exist and we have ourselves to blame for creating it. After all, due to our own behavior and choices over the decades, our communities have become magnates for aggressive policing-a natural consequence for those who can't police themselves. The civil rights industry labor force has made a living out of its attempts to change the behavior of others. After we eradicate racism in all its forms will we reach our true potential and change our ways. Is there injustice by law enforcement? Absolutely and it should be confronted at every turn. Was Professor Gates racially profiled? I don't think so. While we sit back glued to out televisions watching the 'beer summit" black men who don't live in nice suburban neighborhoods like Professor Gates are faced with real danger and it isn't racial profiling- its being murdered by other black men. Now that should make you cry in your beer.