I feel the need to present my $0.02 in this matter. Not with regard to the initial post, I have my own opinions on that, but on a later post. Someone, I don't remember who at this point, made the comment that they have become "color blind." Combating racism cannot be done by becoming color blind. Combating racism is done through realizing who a person truly is. A person's identity includes the color of their skin/racial background that they belong to. We need to see that yes, a person is more than the color of their skin, but that their color is a part of their person. Racism comes from using colors to separate us. We should use differences to bind us. It amuses me - again, not picking on any one person - how many people start their personal defense by saying "oh, I have a friend that's [such and such a different race]". Yes, I think that we all do. So congratulations. You saw past the skin for that one person. Now I think what we need to do is think about how that person became our friend. Why were they different? And apply that to everyone.

*gets off soapbox*

Amanda

__________________
I see your fantasy... you want to make it a reality

Are you in the mood to be subdued

You see these shackles
Baby I’m your slave
I’ll let you whip me if I misbehave

Tie me to the bedpost

I like it rough
cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all