Racism rears its ugly head (5/21/04)

I am writing to address a problem within our town. We all know it as racism. Whether we like it or not, it is rearing its ugly head here in Portland.

Let us all remember that people of many colors fought in our wars and worked like everyone else to make a home and a place to raise their children in peace.

God made all of us equal; some of us are only wrapped in different packages. If we were all the same, it would be a very boring world.

A reference to this subject was abruptly pushed under the rug and ordered not to be brought up again. That is not going to solve the problem. Our country was born of different people and countries. The United States is a melting pot for all nationalities.

Some of the remarks I hear disgust me. We are all human and we treat people as they treat us — that is human nature.

Why can’t people learn to appreciate each other for who they are and not where they or their ancestors came from?

All nationalities have wonderful cultures and languages. Why can we not appreciate that? There are wonderful friends out there to be made who may be different from many of us.

It is time to stop acting like adolescent children and grow up. We are all here — let’s make it the best time of our lives. We need to put an end to the hate, to quit judging people by their racial and economic situations. Love will build a bridge if you will let it.

All of us who are Christians need to take another look. Jesus ministered to everyone, and God made us all.

For those of you out there who think you are better than anyone else, think again. We were born naked and we will die naked, for we can not take Earthly things with us. Live by the Golden Rule and everything will fall into place: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

Thank you for reading this.

Deanne Costello

Portland

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