Racism not easily defined, but apparent

To paraphrase a great writer, methinks you doth protest too much (“Hear this: I am no racist,” July 16). Your feeble attempt at defending your racist attitude is at best laughable. You mention Thomas Jefferson’s racist tendencies. If we are to believe the writer of the historical novel “Roots,” then we – and you – should accept the very real possibility that slavery was given birth through the selling of Africans by Africans.

But let’s fast-forward to Abraham Lincoln’s efforts that ended that admittedly shameful period of our country’s history. Again, fast-forward to Brown vs. the Board of Education. Does Little Rock, Ark., mean anything to you? Fast-forward to Mississippi and the Freedom Riders. How about Dr. Martin Luther King’s teachings to both whites and blacks. Did you ever read about Rosa Parks? Do you care that the marches of that era included many whites who knew that change was necessary? More importantly, that change was morally mandatory?

Some great African-Americans said, “Just give us a chance,” and the Tuskegee Airmen are now part of World War II history. The list of successes by blacks is long, Mr. Graves. These successes were fueled by proper preparation. Education, education, education! Driving through Staunton several years ago, I passed a playground basketball court crowded with young black teens honing their court skills. I told my wife that we were looking at the next generation of high school and college players. Why? They were preparing. No quotas. No Affirmative Action. Just preparing.

I agree with you that you can’t truly define racism or racist tendencies. It’s like defining art. You can’t, but you know it when you see it. A rose by any other name smells the same. Your insistence on references such as Thomas Jefferson points out the racist you are because you can’t seem to grow beyond that deplorable era in our great history.

Signed, A Welsh-European-Native-American. Or maybe it’s time we just call ourselves Americans.