Rich Heritage

(Community Matters) This story of Michelle Obama’s slave roots is fascinating and touching.

and it reminds me of a recent conversation. A enlightened, 65ish anglo man was talking about growing up in the south and how he didn’t remember any prejudice – acknowledged that whites and blacks lived separately but didn’t think there was much racism. And, we were talking about history. When I blurted out that the only Mexicans in my elementary school text books were bandidos and Santa Anna, a couple of folks looked at me like, what’s that mean.

I’m so pleased things have changed so that people of color can be proud of their heritage (though, I realize many were before, many weren’t). I regret that many folks feel threatened by the evolution away from a white, male dominated culture in this country. And, I look forward to even those folks one day realizing the richness of our multicultural character and civic life. The rich heritage of our nation’s history is not diminished but enhanced.