Hammer Blow

Video blogger Emma, one of the popular community members of YouTube, posted a video recently which tells a sad, sad story:

This morning I woke up to a call from my mother and father. I've only spoken to my father once since I moved out, and my mother not at all. So this phone call was a bit of a surpise. The phone call wasn't a pleasant one. I was told by my parents that they wanted me to stop dating James immediately. Why? Because he's black.
I was told that I have 'crossed the line'. That I am 'ruining my reputation'. Even that I will 'lose my family'.
Because I'm dating somebody whose skin is darker than mine.
I was told that I am a white woman and that I should be with a white man.
By my parents.
Basically they gave me a choice. My beliefs… or my family.
Now the only person in my family who I have a good relationship with is my sister Amanda. I either don't speak to, barely speak to, or don't get along with everyone else. But noentheless, they are my family and I have loved them my whole life.
I love my family.
But I cannot do that.

I was told that I live in an idealistic world, that there is a difference between the way the world should be and the way the world is.
You want to know what I think?
I think that it's sad that this is the way the world is. And I think it's sad that so many people are too weak, narrow-minded, ignorant, and cowardly to do something about it.
This is the way the world is, and I don't agree with it. And I won't give in to it.
I'm not going to sit back and let mine and other people's happiness be shattered. I'm going to do MY part in making this world a better place. An equal, fair, and beautiful place full of LOVE.
I am going to stand up for what I believe in.
I believe that love is love. That love knows no color or gender. Love is wonderful, and it is worth fighting for.
I will not sacrifice everything I stand for.
I will not be your puppet.
I will not be like you.
I love you.
But I am not you.

YouTubers, I hope you agree with me. If you do, I have a message for you:
Live in your idealistic worlds.
Live for what you believe in.
Live for what you know is right.
Live for a better world.

And don't ever give up who you are.
Peace & Love.

Those words need only one thing in front of them: “Brothers and Sisters, I have a dream…”. Martin Luther King would have been proud of you, Emma. Yes, everyone grows up at different times and so the world still retains some of its archaic, pathetic attitudes. Yes, people will be nice to your face and trash you behind your back. Yes, we all have to learn that's the way things are and will always be. And yes, if you believe in something, you should stand up for it, always, everywhere, to anyone, in love and peace, with understanding and humility but also with the strength that comes from having a just cause. Martin Luther King had a dream, and in far less time than he would have believed, that dream is close to fruition. It's not there yet, and the reality is it will never come 100% true. But his dream is closer than even he could have dreamed it being in so short a time. For that understanding and love which caused the world to change as much as it has, we, the world at large, should pat ourselves on the collective back. For allowing people like Emma's parents, who refuse to change, to continue in their misguided selfishness, we should be smacked.

I'll let Rap Star and Reverend M.C. Hammer take us out to the break (click on the picture for a larger view):


And just a quick link to explain why racism is wrong:
Where do races come from, and just how different are we all?