I am deeply disturbed by recent events in Texas that demonstrated the worst sort of racism. My primary reaction was a feeling of deep sorrow. I hoped that we had gotten past this. Perhaps I was foolish. Our nation is still paying for 350 years of black slavery and supression. Fifty years of recovery is not yet enough.

In this instance a young black stabbed an unarmed white teenager to death. When the black was charged, his family and members of the black community attempted to place the blame on the victim. It reminded me of the Ferguson, Missouri lie, “Hands up. Don’t shoot.” This time, the absurdity of the charge and the evidence of deep racial hatred that it uncovered was even more troubling.

We are trying hard to get past our unhappy racial history, and I believe that great progress has been made. This sort of event is a great setback.

We must stamp out all remaining embers of white racial bigotry. At the same time, I urge every black leader (businessperson, congressmember, and cleric) to speak out aqainst the lying racial agitators within their community.