We all deserve some respect
By Minister Delita Johnson

If you don't know me, but you choose to hate me, that's your problem. If you hate me because my skin tone is darker than yours, that's your problem. If you hate me because I'm a Christian, that's ignorant. If you hate me for any reason at all, that's ignorant!

People aren't ignorant because of their race; they are ignorant because they just don't know any better. It's time to get educated so we can put racism and prejudice behind us and focus on what's best for our nation. This nation should not be governed by color.

Dr. Martin Luther King gave the "I Have a Dream" speech at a civil rights rally more than 40 years ago, and yet today, people are still being judged by the way they look or the color of their skin.

A lot of people tend to diminish the efforts and accomplishments of the NAACP, but some non-Caucasian Americans, and even some Caucasians, need legitimate representation. If it weren't for the compassion and concern of genuine leaders wanting to take a stand for human rights, people would be stepped on and stepped over in the workforce, as well as other pertinent areas in society. If people did not need representation, there would be no need for lawyers, social workers or any other occupation that represents "the people."

I definitely agree that some people are too extreme, but even dogs have rights.

When God created mankind in the book of Genesis, he did not create one to think more highly than he ought to think. Some of us have a problem grasping this simple concept that no man is greater than the other. High-minded people need to figure out who they really are, no matter what color they are.

Every man and every woman deserves equal respect. We all have qualities that make us unique and special. My daddy used to say "All U.S. money is green and every human being bleeds red blood."

People who cannot judge another human being by the content of his character shouldn't be judging at all. And if you are one of those persons who is a slave to prejudice and ignorance, you need to set yourself free.

Here are 10 things you can do to set yourself free while fighting prejudice and racism:

1. Be honest. Recognize your own biases through open discussion with others. Examine your own prejudices, biases and values. Discuss your own experiences of being hurt by prejudice, as well as the ways you have benefitted from discrimination.

2. Be secure. Explore and find realistic pride in your own group identity. Having a sense of your own background and group identity will help reduce anxiety and defensiveness in relation to others. Knowing your own strengths will also help you to see strengths in others.

3. Be a partner. Work on projects with members of groups different from your own. Working as an equal alongside others from different groups on a common project is one of the best ways to undo prejudice and increase familiarity with others.

4. Be an anti-racist parent. Expose your children to diversity at a young age. Children can benefit from knowing other children from different groups at very early ages, before prejudices and biases get in the way of their making contact.

5. Be a role model. Be vocal in opposing racist views and practices. And don't just criticize, but help educate others about issues and about your own experiences.

6. Be an ally. Support victims of discrimination and prejudice. Offer support on whatever level you can. For example, offer yourself as a mentor for someone in your field of work.

7. Be an activist. Challenge "top-down" or institutional racism. Work to reduce institutional discrimination and prejudice in government, corporations, the media, and other institutions.

8. Be a member. Support anti-prejudice and anti-racist organizations, find one that addresses an issue particularly important to you.

9. Be a teacher. Teach tolerance. Fight prejudice and racism by proactively teaching understanding, openness and conflict resolution skills. (The Teaching Tolerance magazine is one resource for teachers and others to get ideas and resources, it is put out by the Southern Poverty Law Center).

10. Be a student. Educate yourself and others. Reading books, seeing movies, going to hear speakers about the experiences of other groups is an enjoyable way to increase understanding and empathy