Houston Display - Racially Offensive or Not?

Local Houston media posed the question Wednesday - was this so-called Halloween display really racially offensive or not. Why was there even a question? Of course it is! Being racially offended is NOT something that only applies to non-white people. While the local media gave this story only mere moments, I am focusing on the underlying issue at hand - racial discrimination and bigotry is felt by ALL races. As a white woman there have been a great many instances that I have been offended by both racist and sexist attitudes and actions. Living in a Hispanic dominated area, I have been discriminated against, talked down to, and even left to stand at a register overlooked while Hispanic customers were served. I KNOW about being discriminated against. So why does it seem that only actions against a black, Hispanic, or Muslim person get attention? How do we dare speak of "political correctness" while continuing to discriminate against people, yet downplay it when it is not a specific race or religion being targeted? Believe it or not, white and Christian people face plenty of discrimination too.

In a report on KTRK-TV's website the person responsible for this display tells a local reporter that they moved the display from their own yard when they discovered a number of Houston police officers riding by and taking photos of the anti-white display. Really? Would these be the same officers who jump up to scream "racism" every time a black person gets a sideways glance? The same people who cry discrimination any time a noose is used in a Halloween display? The Houston Police Officers Union President spoke up to say he found it inappropriate, but not illegal. Why is it then, when a noose is found hanging in someone's yard in a "display" are they made to take it down? While he takes the politically correct stand of denouncing the display, he also makes the statement brief. If this display had been a white man beating a black slave picking cotton the house it stood in front of would have been vandalized or worse. When racist emails, cartoons, jokes, or comments have been made against black or Hispanic citizens, there is an outcry! Why does an offended white population not count just as much?

People need to learn that every human is proud to be who and what they are. I don't care what race, color, religion, or sex you are - when someone speaks or acts in a way that is discriminatory towards you, you WILL be offended by it. If every person, group, or organization that has stood up to denounce the racism in America would be truly honest, they would see this isn't a black/white problem or a Hispanic/non-hispanic problem. This is a human problem. All humans. So if you really want to be truthful and you really want to stand up against racism, maybe the next time you want to yell "racism" and start pointing fingers, take a good look at everyone involved. I think that there is NO person out there who has not felt the pain or racial bigotry...so instead of calling for political correctness try showing some. White Christians are verbally beat down for any comment or Christian display construed as being even a shade discriminatory - just wait until Christmas when public displays are expected to not include a cross, not include a nativity, and God-forbid, the use of the word Christmas. Let's start to share the screams of discrimination with ALL offenders, not just the easiest, least represented targets.