the new racism of the south

i will not be so naive to say that there is no longer racism in the southern united states (or the whole united states for that matter). african-americans still encounter barriers in every direction because of the color of their skin and the bad blood that still exists between the them and much of the older white population of the south (and to gross misfortune a larger number of young white southerners than should be tolerated).

however, while still recognizing those issues, i would like to write today toward a new racism that has found footholds in the region of my residence and upbringing. that would be racism against latino people. whether here legally or otherwise, the hispanic population of the united states and especially the south are the target of a new resurgence in overt racism. terms like "wetbacks" and "dirty mexicans" permeate far too much dialog and draw strong connections to the taboo "n" word.

my mind and heart wonder when the day will come when people will be offended by the "w" word (wetbacks for those not paying attention). how many times does history (even such recent history as fifty years ago) have to repeat itself before people realize the wrong in assigning offensive language to those who are different. Faggot, nigger, wetbacks...they're all putrid uses of the english language and demeaning to the people groups which they represent. but further than that they are slanders on humanity as a whole. that one person could call another something that makes them less human is a dark mark against all of us. those who says it and those of us who let them say it.

i think of times in scripture when god threatens to, and some cases does, wipe out those who live in and thrive upon dehumanizing sin. it makes me wonder if we are a people worth saving. and then i have to put my shoulders back, raise my chin and admit that, no, we are not. and to that end it is my duty as a member of humanity to try and change that by living a life that fights for social justice and isn't passive about racism or the dehumanization of anyone.

when people start living that life, i believe we'll all see a drastically different world.