Very few things in this world make me angrier than racism. One thing that is almost on par with racism is accusing someone of being racist without knowing the person.

Some circles are calling President Bush a racist because of the federal government's slow response to Hurricane Katrina. I am being called a racist because of a recent article I wrote about American Indian mascots and an article about the need to implement compulsory service in our country.

This is funny, because anyone who knows me knows that I am not racist in the least. It seems nowadays a racist is used to describe anyone who is conservative or has a different view than everyone else. Nowadays, actually being racist is not a prerequisite for being called racist.

The definition of a racist, according to Webster’s Dictionary: 1) a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race or 2) racial prejudice or discrimination.

Not only do I not feel this way, there is also nothing in my article that reflects racism. This is just one more instance where the race card is being used to try to discredit someone.

When people are so quick to label people as racist, it takes away the effect when you use it on someone who actually deserves to be called a racist. This goes back to the story of the little boy who cries wolf.

Racism hurts other people besides minorities. Believe it or not, racism can affect white people, too. For example, someone I consider a good friend was overheard in a conversation with a foreign colleague.

The foreigner asked her, “Why is there still racial tension in America?”

My friend replied, “White people can never be forgiven for what they did.” Hearing this from a friend hurts. It shows how she truly feels about me. She didn’t say, “The white people who actually did these things long ago should never be forgiven.”

No, she said all white people, including those that live in the present as well as every single white person that shall ever be. According to her logic, if no one is to ever be forgiven, then why even try? Why don’t we just all give up and go our separate ways?

Racism is an ugly beast, but it is slowly being phased out. However, when people are falsely categorized as being racists, it dilutes the label and does no one any good.

Let’s save that label for those who truly deserve it, instead of using it for our own selfish political reasons.

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