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For those of you surprised or appalled at Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid’s private comments referring to Obama as “light-skinned” and having “no Negro dialect” during the 2008 Presidential campaign, Chris Rock said it best in his “Kill the Messenger” when referring to people being surprised about racist comments, “Really?!?” That’s about as surprising that Mark McGuire finally admitting to using steroids. I think it would be equally as insensitive as saying during the 1992 Presidential Campaign Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton had a chance at the Presidency because he was hygienically maintained and educated to speak audibly. Stupid generalization comment of a widely held belief about an area, but it is no where as direct as Bill’s no toothless, red-necked honky so he has a great chance in this race.

The fact of the matter is every white house official knows this to be true and probably the black leaders more than any. The fact of the matter is the American public unless completely ignorant knows it is true as well. When did it become an underground secret that Americans still judge each other based on race (and gender). Was anyone aware that we currently have our 1^st non- 100% white male President? That would lead one intelligent individual to think that there must be some internal prejudice running around here.

I think it is ridiculous to ask Reid to resign. Were his comments inappropriate, yes. Are those Reid’s true feelings, yes, but guess what it is many other American’s feelings as well. So as some of you tell politicians to keep their mouths shut about various issues and others seem shocked at the obvious, I say why don’t we stop pretending our brother doesn’t have a drinking problem and talk about how to fix it. Recognizing it exists is the first step and we do not feel comfortable even doing that as of yet. As I watched another (white) comedy yesterday talk about his visit to Africa as feeling like he was always in “that neighborhood…you white folks know what I’m talking about.” We all know it’s there. A lot of people have those type of thoughts or feeling cross their minds no matter one's race or gender. Initial feelings cannot be regulated by rational thought. It is rationally working through those initial feelings that allows them to change and be understood and no longer exist.

Reid was just the surprise messenger of a much deeper discussion… “Kill the Messenger” or adhere to and fix the underlining message?