The bitterness racket comes to Missouri

In the New Testament Gospel of Matthew, chapter 23:37-39, Matthew writes of Jesus' lament over Jerusalem. Space constraints prevent me from doing a full exegesis per the breadth and scope of those verses, but suffice it to say, no few of us have likewise lamented over those who willingly choose to be disaffected while wallowing in the despair of anger and resentment.

By now, unless you've been in a coma, you've heard the vicious vitriol spewed forth from Barack Obama's mentor and pastor, Jeremiah Wright, the latest of which was delivered yesterday at the National Press Club – but you probably haven't heard about what is taking place in Missouri.

There is a ballot initiative under way to end race/gender-based preferences and race/gender-based affirmative action programs, except in those specific areas where gender is specific to a need. To no one's surprise, the domestic terrorist group "By Any Means Necessary," or BAMN, and its malevolent contagions are attempting to prevent same.

When the survey question was asked, "Are [race/gender based] affirmative action programs still necessary?" 68 percent responded "no" with just 32 percent responding "yes." While the demographics of those responding is not yet available, let there be no doubt that a good number of those responding "no" were undoubtedly minorities, which brings me to my point.

Why are blacks, unlike any other population group (save possibly Hispanics), inculcated with the mindset that they can only compete if they are given extra points and preferential treatment? Why is it that they/we are led to believe that they cannot compete on meritocracy (in anything that doesn't require a ball)? Why would anyone fear affirmative action based on need of the individual juxtaposed to the color of his skin – especially when the evidence proves the latter has been a dismal failure? Why teach and breed generation after generation of people to think they are owed something based solely on the color of their skin, pursuant to a past crime that has been addressed and corrected?

In California's Proposition 209, 26 percent of blacks voting and 24 percent of Hispanics voting voted for the proposition to end race/gender based affirmative action and preferences. Prop 209 passed by a 54 to 46 percent margin. In Washington state's Proposition 200, while there are no numbers available for blacks, Hispanics or Asians, the same initiative passed 53 to 47 percent. And in Michigan's Proposition 2, the initiative passed in a landslide against unparalleled opposition and physical threats by BAMN and its minions, 58 to 42 percent, with 14 percent of blacks supporting it.

It is significant to note that the one dominant thing these referenced states share in common is that they are demonstrably liberal. Still, liberals and moderates in significant numbers supported the initiatives. Are all of the blacks who supported the initiative to be considered "Uncle Toms" and "sellouts"? Are we to believe they are less informed than those preaching and succumbing to hate?

I have been nothing if not consistent in my denunciation of Barack Obama. That said, in my neighborhood alone, the number of "Obama for President" signs on front lawns and in driveways is unprecedented. Black CEOs sit atop the most powerful Fortune 500 companies. And before you comment about disproportionate numbers, let me remind you that there are only 500 CEO positions available pursuant to said companies. Does anyone believe that there aren't whites and other so-called minorities who might like to head one of these companies?

America is a land of opportunity unlike any other. Here alone is it true that what a person can conceive, he can in fact achieve. Embracing hatred, bitterness and resentment based on that which happened in the past – a past, I might add, few of us today are familiar with – serves only to separate and suffocate.

We must teach our young to embrace the challenge of realizing opportunities based on ability and competence. The opportunity to achieve awaits all who will seize it. But in the absence of pursuing opportunity out of misplaced anger and a belief that special preferences must abound, said households indeed will remain desolate. The castigation of those who pursue achievement vis-à-vis a system that is fair and equitable to all does nothing to help those doing the castigating.

Let it be said that the mindset "we deserve because of race, gender, and color" will prevent those so persuaded from ever enjoying that which a truly level playing field has to offer. The primal screeds of opposition, by those acting contrary to true fairness are nothing more than the consternation of those fearful of losing their relevance. It is the resonance of those fearful that a people freed of bitterness will have no need for them.

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