Today's discussion in the not-a-break-room went from my discovery of the meaning of the phrase "a hot minute" onto something a bit more important. This was somewhat prompted by the 9 foot high image of Fox News that is on one wall of our not-a-break-room. This of course was displayed Condi Rice about every 30 seconds.

      I was unable to keep from voicing my opinion that the Presidential race in 2008 would be Condi Vs. Hillary in an all out war. Hot Chow then opined that Condi would never win because the country because we are not ready for a black female President. SGT Tumult followed by wondering why that was.

     I disagree about the readiness of the nation as a whole but I know why a signifcant chunk of it is not ready. Unconscious rascism. There are folks who have no idea that they don't like minorities. The Democratic party is in fact full of them.

     I come from rural Minnesota where for the most part we think that the Germans are a "minority" as for black people? Forget it... None to be seen, much less to be hated right? Wrong. While the emotion may not reach actual hatred there is certainly unconscious rascism present. Lack of contact has brought about a total lack of awareness on the part of many in areas like my home. They don't even know that they look at minorities differently.

    For example, a relative of mine recently used the word "pickaninny" to describe a black child to me. I stopped them in the middle of their story with : "What? What word did you just use?"

Them : "Pickaninny. Why is that not the right word?"

Grey : "Why do you need a different word?"

     While this is a fairly innocent case it is indicative of something deeper and unrecognized. The fact of the matter is that they didn't recognize black people as a part of their sphere of humanity. The black kids were something other than kids. This fear of the other is ingrained in some parts of the country to this day. It is an evolved behaviour in part stemming from the huge portion of our brain devoted to determining who is part of ours and who is part of the other. This was a crucial survival trait in tribal societies. Just doesn't work well for us now.

     I recognize this as a problem but I don't think it represents Majority America... Maybe I am wrong... What do you think?