Originally Posted by Guest

I am not an activist one way or another. All I want to do is treat people with respect and in turn a person has an obligation to earn respect....

A number of years ago I lived in a southern city still very racially divided. I had a department to run but was confronted with racial issues that divided my employees. So one by one I sat with each employee trying to promote a collaborative team essential to reach the department's goals.

All of my employees were polite but I felt less than honest, except one and his reply concerning blacks was "they all sub-human". His remarks awaken me to what I was dealing with so my coaching approach ceased and I made it clear to all of them that their personal bias had no place in our office. If I found their personal bias interfered with the accomplishing of department goals it was a performance failing . The subject of my efforts revolved around a young black man I hired who had a master's degree as did his wife.

As I stated I am not an activist. My parents taught me to be fair and honest and judge people based on their behavior/merit . This employee was a good man seeking upward mobility. He left this city, his wife's home and they returned to his northern roots.

People must earn respect. he did. Let me end by referencing the myraid reality shows on television which include people of all races. do you think they have earned your respect? do they behave the way they do because of their color? Plainly speak trash comes in a variety of colors,economic-social backgrounds

In that same vein color should not be a reason for preferential treatment as to education, promotions, etc and in that the government missed the mark with overreaching goals that went from equal opportunity to equal outcomes. and that in my view is the "rub" for many people

But a house divided cannot stand and we all better learn how to get along
Can we ?

Personal Best Regards: