[Mr.Kimball]

IF you are suggesting that blacks and whites have equally suffered under the sting of racism in the history and present of this nation, I strongly disagree. IF you are suggesting that, as an individual white man, you "owe" nothing to black people in psychological and monetary reparations, I agree. IF you are suggesting that denying someone basic human dignity based on the color of their skin is equally offensive in white or black, I agree. However, institutional racism, encoded racism, DID exist in this nation from its inception...and it favored the white, land owning majority. Did "blacks in the back" seating on buses in Montgomery and other such practices create in black children the "shadow of inferority" that MLK said it did? Of course it did. Malcolm X never had enough power to put white children in such conditions. That's why, at least for one reason, your whole equating process breaks down.

Perhaps as you suggest maybe not in physical enslavement, but I also strongly suggest that he did incite a hatred into hearts that in some senses is just as damaging. Again I diasgree with your disagreeing.

You do have to remember too CM, that there were thousands and thousands of white men that gave the ultimate sacrifice by giving their own lives to see that a black human was set free from bondage. I wonder why only that negative aspect of American history get exposed and nothing is ever mentioned for the immense passion and love that many many white men showed for their black brothers.