Racism and exactly what I mean.

I just read a very good, even though controversial, article on Associated Content called White Discrimination: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/101507/white_discrimination.html
One thing that he points out and is, I think, very correct with many people and their talk of racism is they identify themselves first with their ethnic background and whether people discriminate against them because of that. African American is the term he used, why not call yourself American of African descent to show first and foremost you are an American and your race doesn't matter so much as the fact that you are a proud American. I think people use their ethnic background for their own purposes and often use this to define who they are. Myself, I try to use my brain for something other than hatred or conclusion jumping by talking and getting to know the person, I see the person as someone standing in front of me. I listen to them and hear what they have to say and I don't judge them on their appearance, race, or sex. I know people will say this is not true and you are racist because of the things you say. You couldn't be more wrong, just look at my wedding party and see one of my groomsmen, an American of African descent who was a coworker and friend when we worked in the United States Air Force. One thing that I see often and people use it to their advatage when they want, they use their skin color, heritage and other attributes that they cannot change to define who and what they are instead of using their morales, abilities and intelligence to show who and what they are in their heart and soul. Wouldn't this world be a much better place if people used the heart and soul to show who they are instead of using their race as a way to show how everyone else has put them down. If they did their best, forgave those who are not as good as they are and had a truly generous heart they wouldn't have to spout racism.