I am enjoying this conversation about race. Ithink its needed in our society.

Ok, I am a 39 year old black male. I have served my nation for 19 years. I love my country. Do i think it has problems? Of course. Do I think there is racism? of course. Do I dwell on it? Not really. Do I try to educate? Every chance I get.

Racism is not about hate. Its about steretypes. heres a personal examole:

I was deployed to Bosnia years ago. I was the only black LT in my company. I didnt socialize really with the white LT's. why not? They like to go to bars and drink. I didnt. they liked to listen to country music or hard rock and talk about hunting. I didn't. So, our relationship was more formal and busnesss where as they had a very informal social relationship. Beause of that informal relationship, they were able to bond with each other closer than with me. I was their co worker wheras they were friends with each other. So, whenever an opportunity came about, they would discuss it while at the bar. I didnt hear about the opportunity until it came out in offcial communications, but by then, it was too late to apply becaus it had already been taken.

Now, I dont believe any of my fellow white LT's are racists. I like them all. I just believe in this world you get where you get not by qualifications but by networking, so you network with people you have things in common with. It would be the same scenario if were a majoruty blackofficers and obne white officer that didnt socialize with the black officers. he would be let out of things. Just so happens in this society. There are more whites ininfluentail positions than there are blacks.