The difference between Pride and Racism.

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People often confuse another person's racial pride with being racist. There is a difference, and it's important to keep the two separated. Most people do have some amount of pride in their race and/or ethnicity. It is natural and when used properly, it can be a real motivator. Looking back through history, we often feel a connection with those who came before us. People of our race or ethnic group who achieved great things can motivate us to do the same. I think it's part of the whole, "bigger than ourselves" thing. When we identify with people from the past, we feel there is more to life than just the here and now. Of course, we also identify with people living today. When we see people who "look like us" making good in something we respect, it helps us understand that we can make good in our own lives. That isn't racism, and those who feel this kind of pride shouldn't be thought of as racist or bigots. But sadly, there is racism. Racists take that pride and turn it into something ugly, dangerous and even deadly. Instead of motivating them to want to make life better for themselves and others, they use their pride to destroy and tear down. They think that just because historic figures of their own race or ethnicity accomplished great things, that makes them (as well as themselves) better than people of other races and ethnicities. On the same token, if someone of their group were mistreated by other groups, they feel it is their responsibility to exactd retribution. The problem becomes worse if the bigot feels they can profit from the retribution. The difference is when we turn "my group has done great things" into "my group has done great things, so your group just plain sucks". What's sad is, because of this kind of racism, we often don't get to learn of the great achievements of people of a different race/ethnicity. I would love to learn more about the historic achievements of people of different races, but most of what I've found seems to cover less about the person and their achievements and more about how badly the person was abused and mistreated. Now, abuse and mistreatment does enhance a story, and shouldn't be left out. After all, it is as much a part of the person's life experiences as the great achievements. They can also serve to help the reader appreciate the struggle and the reality of the greatness. However, all to often the abuse and mistreatment become the story, leading down to a cesspool of why people of the present should be excused from ever achieving anything at all.