I am a Friend to African Americans

Now, it is a little awkward discussing this subject under the present condition of American culture. It is difficult because we have an African American President, and this has resulted in a flaring up of multiple multiple emotions in the political arena, in the ghetto, and in voters who supported our president, and those who didn't.

But when all is said and done, I am glad that we have an African American president. I am glad because I see it as progress. It is a sign that many many people, both African American and Caucasian, are having their eyes opened to the possibility that, as good old Abe Lincoln said, "All men (and we are discovering, women as well) are created Equal".

I want to share with you, the time in my life when I first discovered the need to bring African Americans into a state of healthier self-esteem, and therefore better jobs, better child rearing, and simply; to help African Americans up. When I first came out of the hospital where I did my initial rehab (if you are at this blog for the first time, I am a paraplegic), I moved into a high-rise where a doorman sat in a room in the front lobby. His name was Stan, and he was, as we are discussing, an African American. Well, another paraplegic who I met at the rehab came to visit me, and he was Latino. And so, Stan asked me what I was doing with a Latino friend when I was Caucasian. I looked him straight in the eye and said, "I don't discriminate against any race or nationality. I'm color blind." And I'm not sure whether it was that night, or a few days later that Stan asked me again. I still remember his words, "Oh you mean, you think black people are just as good as white people?" My heart was so touched by the humbleness of his question. I answered "Absolutely!" And that was the point, the time in my life when I made a firm decision that I was going to work as hard as I could to help people who are African American.

One night, I returned from kidding around with the doorman and his buddies, and I said a deep, deep prayer "Lord, I pray that the African American population WILL overcome". I continued to pray that. I am still praying it.

Will you join me? It's no picnic being committed to this cause. But if you are sincere about helping people up, you will find the determination to go on, no matter how many setbacks come.

Bruce Springsteen: We Shall Overcome