First, I agree (as do most other people) that racism or hate of any kind against anyone else is wrong and shouldn't ever
occur under any circumstances. This issue is a very heated and obviously fostered some hate on Friday night.
For example, the lady sitting next to me attempted to verbally attack Dr. Allen by saying ," You must not feel bad about being
white because you came out and stated that you were white right off the bat." Hatred is a concept that stims out
to everyone and doesn't stop at any racial boundaries. All races whether Anglo, African American, Hispanic, Asian
or anyone else have experienced hate and have either been hated because of their race or something else.
There are many different reasons that an individual might have to hate someone. Regardless and whatever the
reason, it isn't right to hate anyone and it must cease to exist. Hate breeds violence which leads to destruction
and death. Maybe that is why wars start. I seem to have a totally different perspective than Ricky Lee Allen.
I can look at race from an angle different than people older than myself or people who haven't lived where I live or who don't
have the roots that I have. I see the race issue in sports, I see the race issue in music, I see the race issue in the
entertainment industry, I see the race issue here in the four corners after living here 21 years, I see the race
issue in college in the states around New Mexico and in New Mexico, I see the race issue in history from my own ancestory.
To me, it is a much different issue than Dr. Allen discussed on Friday night. I come from a different
background than Dr. Allen, but similar at the same time. My mother grew up in Albuquerque in the 1950s and 60s and her
parents roots were in Texas and Oklahoma. My father came from West Virginia just like Dr. Allen and he was
dirt poor with 13 brothers and sisters. But, I tend to not agree with Dr. Allen in most of the statements
that he made. His view is narrow and from one perspective. I have a different perspective with much different
experiences and knowledge of instances where things were different than Dr. Allen pointed out.
To conclude, hate and racism (one of the categories under hate) is wrong, should not be tolerated and is an
issue worth fighting to change.
