Am I a Racist?
Am I a racist? I’ve thought a lot about this over the last year as the media has told me over and over again I am a racist, my country is racist, and I don’t even know it! What?! The media has told me time and again how guilty I, and we, should all be for our deliberately institutionalized American racist behaviors. I don’t feel like a racist. And, I don’t want to be the source of making another person feel left out, bad, or minimized because of their race. I try to be respectful of everyone I encounter. Am I a racist? Maybe I’m not a racist. I don’t want to be a racist.
It keeps coming to mind for me, as the flames are stoked in the caustic news entertainment cycle that first and foremost seeks paying sponsorship and the attention of viewers as they fan the racist narrative that perpetuates division in America and says we are bad. And, it keeps coming to my mind; Martin Luther King’s famous assertion that a person should be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. I think I like that idea. And, I think about mentorship and personal accountability being keys to opportunity and a chance for a good life in America – our country has so much to offer everyone.
Having worked under the command of 4-Star General Ward, former Africa Commanding General and European Command Deputy Commander, I saw a bear of a powerful black-skinned man. A gentleman with a friendly face, warm smile, and a powerful handgrip when he greeted you. As a lowly Lieutenant Colonel when I first met him in his office, I admit there was some trepidation since 4-Star Generals are powerful folks. I’ll never forget how his aids showed me to his office, increasing my anxiety as the Command Sergeant Major told me how to behave and report to him professionally on whatever matter of business I was there for.
As I was nervously shown into his office and prepared to stand at attention and render the customary salute, report, and introduce myself, he had already risen, came around his desk, and handed me his bear claw of a hand, gripping my arm with his other hand, and with a smile firmly shook my hand, invited me to take a seat next to him and made me feel comfortable. 4-stars in the military are powerful people. I always remembered what a capable and positive leader I felt he was. I did not see a black man; I saw a person of character.
And, I remember my former Theater Support Group commander, Colonel Twanda Young. A black-skinned hard-working fair-minded lady. I was selected for promotion to Full-Colonel, but not yet promoted, when I commanded the small garrison in American Samoa. Falling under her command at the time, I recall how she went out of her way to make sure I was “pinned” unexpectedly in front of the entire command at a large gathering at U.S. Army Pacific Command. She didn’t have to do it, but she was all full energy when she gleamed that the situation would not stand and insisted I would get “pinned” under her command. In 2017 she was promoted to Brigadier General. A deserving and hard-working woman. I did not see a black woman; I saw a person of character.
How I could go on about the wonderful and deserving people I have worked with around the world in my endeavors as a military officer, a State Department diplomat, and businessman. People above me, people who have worked for me, of all races and nationalities. People of character. People who have earned their stations in life because of their tenacious efforts. None of them “given” anything because of some lobbied for political movement or push of undeserving entitlement because of ancestral or historical wrongs of the past or gifts of affirmative action that can serve to erode the merit of their individual accomplishments. They all worked hard, were encountered and served by the merits of mentorship, earned their stations in life, and became leaders.
My sense is this. I’m not naïve and I know there are some bad apples and racist folks out there – of all colors - they of course must be marginalized and not given the status of holistically representing what America is. But, you and I and America are FAR from bad. I think hard working people who play by the rules and have respect for one another; who are properly mentored and strive to do the right thing; often emerge successfully. I don’t think America is racist at all, it’s just gotten a little sucked into this racist vortex in too many ways due to good intentions – and some bad manipulative actors - resulting in unintended consequences. I don’t think I am racist. And I expect the vast majority of you are not either.
America oozes opportunity from every corner of society. This racist narrative in the media has become so overblown and unbalanced that it takes our eye off other pressing matters. I don’t think America, or you, are racist at all. And I like to think, and hope, I’m not racist either.
The solution is simple - just judge people by the content of their character- period. And, maybe, where possible, mentor people you encounter onto the right path to be accountable for their outcomes - and not accept being labeled or identified as being a victim. And stand as a voice that counters mainstream media with standards and ethical behavior that strives to hold people accountable for doing the right thing.
COL Michael “Mike” Seguin, RETD
The Mad Moose
Utah Bull-Moose Party