The Case Against Instituional Racism

Recently President Obama made the statement that there is widespread institutional racism against all minorities in America. Well, it just so happens that I am married to a minority. and her experiences in America is proof that institutional racism in America is a myth.

My wife comes from the Philippines. We were  married while I was stationed in that country. In 1984 I retired from the navy and we came to Louisville Ga. to start a new life. That's when my wife's real life adventure started in this great country of ours. In the Philippines, an education past the 6th grade was almost impossible, because of the cost. Now she was in the land of opportunity, and she couldn't wait to start taking advantage of those opportunities.

After getting settled, we went to Swainsboro Tech to see about getting her a GED. The administrative personnel at the school were wonderful. They completely understood that Claire came from a different culture, and everything was confusing and new to her. Actually it was confusing and new to me too, because I had been out of the country for so long.

After getting registered, Claire started her GED classes. Three nights a week I drove her to Swainsboro Tech. Myself and our two young sons would sit in the back of the class each night while Claire studied. And each night I would marvel at how caring and professional her two instructors were. They were white and I didn't see any hint of racism, whatsoever.

Also in the class were nine other students. All were minorities. Claire and four of the other students were very attentive in class. Another four were very inattentive and disruptive. At times they were even rude to the teachers. I later found out that these students were being paid by the government to attend class. Once they got their checks from the government, they were gone.

After about a year Claire took her GED test and passed. That enabled her to get a job at the nursing home in Wadley. The people that ran the nursing home were marvelous to her. They were white - no racism there. They arranged her schedule where she could go to night school. While working there Claire finished a nurses aide program, and EMT school.

Next she went to work at Rural Metro Ambulance service in Louisville Ga.. Her co-workers were white and black. Her supervisor was white. She experienced zero racism. Again, her supervisor arranged her schedule where she could go to night classes, and while working at Rural Metro, she completed Paramedic school.

Throughout my wife's life in America she has experienced no institutional racism. And from what I have observed, what is sometimes called institutional racism is just a matter of people not being willing to put out the effort to get what they want. They then complain about racism because there is no free ride in life. You Can't give a person an education., you have to work for it. You can't give people self respect or work ethics, that has to come from within.