“America” means different things to different people, Sam. It even means different things to the same person over time.

Growing up active in Boy Scouting, I was a flag-waving patriot. Having seen more of the world outside of America and the suffering/hardships/discrimination many have endured at the hands of their fellow Americans, that same “patriotism” I see in others now gives me the chills.

I am hopeful as America grows blacker, browner, and more diverse. Why? Because, from my observations, those same peoples who strike fear in the hearts of bigots seem to take better care of folks than the ones losing power.

The inexorable darkening of America is inevitable and for the good, I think.

Only when one has learned (in whatever way) about the stupidity, waste, and tragedy of bigotry can one rise above it. Sometimes one can only experience it by finding his/herself in the minority.

Sadly, for some, compassion is not a natural occurrence.

Ignorant, young white crackers are in for a rude awakening when they realize their inevitable fate as simply one group among equals. This white-minority inflection won’t be the end of racism. But maybe (to borrow a line from one flawed racist statesman) it might be, “the beginning of the end.”

I will be an old man when this happens if I live long enough. If I am so lucky, I look forward to the day.

e