Letter: Poverty, hidden agendas are the real problem

Editor,

If one looks back through human history, one finds that slavery is not exclusive to the white man. Many Asian, African and Native American peoples made slaves of those outside their tribes long before white people enslaved people of color.

The Egyptians made the Hebrews slaves for 400 years. In fact, some African tribes captured outsiders and sold them to white slavers. Should not their descendants pay reparations to descendants of American slaves?

The problem with the Critical Race Theory is that racism is not the problem and systemic racism is illegal. Are some individuals prejudiced against people of color? Sure. And some people of color are prejudiced against white people.

The problem is in the nature of man and those in places of influence with a hidden agenda that perpetuate the division. If there truly was systemic racism, then there would not be Black congressmen and senators, Black mayors, Black police chiefs, Black doctors serving white patients, Black athletes playing with white players, Black actors, Black media people, etc.

Black people in such positions would not have been allowed in the past.

Poverty is the problem and poverty cuts across all racial barriers. Poverty is caused by bad life choices —getting pregnant out of wedlock, dropping out of school, choosing to drink and do drugs until addicted — a welfare system that traps people in their bad life choices, and underfunded schools.

Making better life choices and improving one’s situation is available to all who are willing to discipline themselves and work hard, regardless of the color of their skin.

That is why people immigrate to America. There are many examples of people of all colors who worked hard to overcome impoverished beginnings to become successful and prosperous citizens.

Alma Clark

Oak Harbor