Dear Readers: Very early in this column's history, as a New Year's resolution, I wrote "My Wish for Black America." Since that time, it has been my most requested column for repeats and copies. In celebration of the new year, I would like to share it, wi

My Wish for Black America

I wish black fathers would assume responsibility for the children they create and stop acting like some flying insect that goes from flower to flower trying to see how many blossoms it can fertilize.

I wish education, not sports, were considered the top priority for schools.

I wish the school systems would demand appropriate behavior and stop making excuses as to why blacks cannot make the grades.

I wish high-achieving black students were not labeled as acting white.

I wish America would stop patronizing non-achieving black Americans and treating them like misbehaving children.

I wish degrading music that sexualizes women, fosters racism and extols violence were eliminated.

I wish blacks would not make race the first consideration when there is a situation.

I wish blacks would realize that institutionalized racism is over and the path for success is open.

I wish minorities would stop stereotyping and saying all whites are alike.

I wish black leaders would stop trying to exploit their followers by trying to make them believe the world is against them and their only path to success is keeping them in power.

I wish blacks would realize they are being politically taken for granted and know that being loyal to one party makes them irrelevant. A minority's power is being the deciding vote.

I wish the media would stop creating so-called black leaders who are on the fringes and give more publicity to individuals who are stable and advocate workable solutions.

I wish America would realize there is a diversity of thinking among blacks and all blacks do not support the thinking of the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

I wish black people would realize no one owes them anything, except equal treatment under the law, and the best hand up is at the end of their own arms.

I wish white America would stop feeling guilty for the sins of their forefathers because that guilt prevents whites from treating blacks as equals.

I wish everyone, regardless of race, would love each other and work together to make this an even better country.

Finally, I wish God's blessings upon us so we may remain free and continue to have happy new years.

To find out more about Larry Meeks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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