The president and racial unrest

Allen West's response to the President's assertion that young black men are treated with distrust says it all.

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What Mr. West says is that it isn't the color of the skin but the demeanor of the individual. He was brought up to be respectful, look people in the eye, dress neatly, and to hang with friends who were raised the same way. As a result, he received positive reactions. The human instinct is to be alert to danger and to react to protect ourselves, either by distance or aggression. We are after all, in this regard, animals. Now, we can tell ourselves funny stories and pretend to be oh, so tolerant but we will react to perceived threats. And we can say that baggie pants, hoodies hiding faces, skulking around and other behaviors don't alarm us. But they do. It is not the color of the skin, it is the actions of the individual that causes the reaction. The welfare system has allowed fatherless homes and emasculated men. This has lead to the total absence of male role models. And this has lead to young men who seek the validation on the streets. Perhaps it is the lack of that male person in his life that causes the President to identify with Treyvon? So the President can gin up racial unrest all he wants. What would be much more productive would be to put some self respect back into the equation. Wayne A. White

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