We traveled together to fishing locations all over Maryland and a few adjoining states, sometimes on weekend trips and staying in a tent. Trout fishing on Big Hunting Creek; smallmouth bass fishing on the upper Potomac River; striped bass fishing all over Chesapeake Bay.

I saw firsthand the ugly face of discrimination. Campgrounds refusing to admit us because my friend was black. My friend's absolute refusal to go into some restaurants. Many instances long forgotten.

I understand intolerance. I do not need to join the NAACP to understand it. I fully realize many blacks face certain hurdles in life not faced by whites. I realize that many born in the inner cities of this country, or born to poverty-stricken parents are too often doomed to a life of poverty. As I wrote earlier, if life is a race then too many individuals start a mile behind the starting line. This includes many white children.

I am not going to blame myself for these cultural facts. I do not accept this notion that I am somehow at fault for being born white.

What I can do is support reasonable laws that protect the rights of every American. What I can do is treat every person with respect, and expect that same respect in return. Cultural change takes time. Things have certainly improved since I was in grade school and the schools were supposed to be "separate but equal."

Does racism still exist? Certainly. Does this current attempt to place all whites on a guilt trip advance the elimination of intolerance? I think not.

Image below from Joe Reynolds - Image Title: Jackson with Bluegill
Image Info: Bob Jackson shows a nice bluegill caught at Johnson Pond in Salisbury. Jackson is an expert fly fisherman and used an ultra-light fly casting outfit for the spunky bluegills.