Letter

LTTE: Race-Based Politics

Published: Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Editor,

I found the redistricting article that mentioned redistricting boundaries would be based, in part, on racial parameters. The civil rights act abolished this kind of behavior (at least legally). Legislating representation in this manner is antithetical to the purpose contained in that law enacted 40 years ago.

The very notion that we need to carve out political districts to cater to certain racial groups should be seen for what it is: The dilution of political power in the non-conformed group and a statement that the conformed group needs help to keep even.

While no distinction can be rationally proven to show that people of one color are inherently better than those of another, the old hook about race and opportunity continues to persist as though it were the rule. While not ideal, race relations are not what they were 100 or even 50 years ago. Attitudes today are far more willing to accept a person based on conduct rather than skin color.

For those who seek to challenge the bounds of the possible, success is more probable. The founders came from a heritage of hard work that reaped its own reward.

And yet we still struggle to find the balance between the lessons learned from our past and the fear to apply them in the present. Politicians should not be elected to serve fractious constituencies. Race-based policies do not bridge the gaps between us, but make them wider and deeper.

Mike Rowland
Peetz, Colo



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