Racism In America Goes In Cycles.....

Am I really going to write about racism in America? These days it's hard to avoid it. Racism has always been part of American culture, and unfortunately, probably always will. Watching hate groups on the news is both shocking and disgusting

Ohio plates on this car make me sick.

Here we are in the 21st century. We are a well established society. But things like Charlottesville still happen. Some say the President has made racism cool. During the campaign he talked like a racist. Unfortunately, now that he is the POTUS, he still acts and talks like a racist. Some groups seem to be encouraged by that.

I care little about his politics. Whatever happens to Obamacare happens. Tax laws will be changed, and changed again. The same with immigration law. I just want to live in a peaceful and fair America. I don't think that's asking for too much.

Today we have terrorism. Extreme prejudice against ethnic groups, and politicians with "questionable" statements. Do you think these are all 21st century issues? Think again.

Only the ethnic group changes.

The biggest mass lynching in US history happened in 1891. It had nothing to do with African Americans. It was those dastardly Italians. The New Orleans Police Chief had been murdered. Nine Italians were tried, and found not guilty. But a mob took them, found two other Italians, and lynched them all. This was followed by waves of attacks against Italian immigrants nationwide.

Teddy Roosevelt, not yet President, said this was " a rather good thing". A New York Times editorial stated that Italian immigrants were descended from " bandits and assassins." The future Governor of Louisiana said the Italians were "just a little worse than the Negro."

Mailing packages with bombs became a severe problem around 1910. Italian revolutionaries were linked to the problem. During this period Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Venzetti were tried and eventually executed. They were definitely anarchists. But whether they were actually guilty of the crime they were convicted for is debatable. There is no question their civil rights were violated.

Replace the Italians with Muslims, Blacks, Jews, or the group of your choice, and you have today's headlines. Now it seems like we have to fight the Civil War all over again. But we did that once, and it's all over.

America used to be known as a melting pot. Many cultures blending together to form the American culture. Sociologist now suggest America is better represented by a salad. Many ingredients, but each is unique, and nothing blends together. For every sweet tomato, you get a crunchy crouton.

Australians look out! You might be next!