We will always have 'discrimination!' (was going to add to the thread "Why It Does Matter," but think that it goes beyond the racial talk....)

That is an unfortunate fact. Race is only one type of discrimination...I have been around ppl of color most of my life (Mil dependent and GI) and seen racial discrimination 1st hand. I've been in the Greyhound Bus stations of MS with separate seating and bathrooms for 'colored.' But also, those same areas of MS didnt like this 'TX white guy' because I was different when I opened my mouth and didnt sound like 'them!' That was a long time ago (during the Viet Nam area), but was also exposed to TX rednecks who talked the same type of discrimination. Bottom line is that ppl who are not exposed to the 'melting pot' from birth tend not to like ppl who are not like them!! I believe that it goes back to our 'tribal ancestry'. Tribes of ppl kept to themselves for family unit protection and 'unconsciously' to isolate themselves from the spread of disease. The color of skin is purely the result of ppl adapting to the different areas of the world that they lived in---northern Europeans had longer noses to cool cold air, light skin with no need for sun-reducing pigments, etc. Ppl of color (i.e. Africa as well as Mediterranean, etc.) had their adaptive features----darker skin to handle the sun (skin cancer is not a problem with them!), and in the case of Africans in the hottest climates; shorter, broader noses and wider lips to avoid heating the already hot air & venting of that climate.

Irregardless of your secular or religious beliefs concerning the origin of humans, whether a common African ancestor, or the result of the offspring of the 3 sons of Noah post-flood, we are a common species who can interbreed with any of mankind and produce offspring! That alone should settle the question of skin color and human worth. In fact, with interbreeding, if likened to the higher mammals such as dogs, we actually strengthen the species---mutts are generally healthier than pure breds!

I believe that the main difference in true discrimination is not so much race, or nation, but more a result of 'culture.' I have had good friends who were Afro-Amer, but our friendships were based more on things that we had in common---raised middle-class American, same schools, scouts, sports, military, and as a result also spoke the 'same English language!' They spoke English (or more like 'American') as opposed to Ebonics or the more popular 'ghetto' talk. I had more in common with them than some 'other southern' folk who spoke the southern drawl from MS, LS, AL, GA, NC, etc. Remember, I'm transplanted Texan. I can slip in/out of Texan as well as Western U.S. or a more 'neutral' accent!! ha ha

[ BTW, I bet that Obama can slip in & out of Chicago black (ala Rev Wright) in addition to his white, university-educated, political eloquence that we hear!!]

I said all that to again state my personal belief that our major differences are 'cultural' rather than any other particular reason. My daughter's 1st husband (both met in the Army) was 1/2 Afro-American (actually from Trinidad), and their marriage suffered more from their cultural differences---including different likes in food! But even our families didnt have a lot in common when we met. I've also seen that the Afro-American picture of a beautiful woman has changed from darker skinned, classic African to lighter-skinned, more European featured women. Some Afro-Americans even discriminate within their community on the basis of skin color shade---lighter or darker! So again, discrimination will always be around, no matter how 'enlightened' we become. I dont fault American black folk for their feelings of 'whitey has kept them down,' because that is their history; however, as most reasonable ppl know, the propagating of that stereotype and hatred will only bring separation and continued segragation to a society!! It has been predicted that over enuf time that all the nations of the earth would be olive skinned and similar in looks----BUT, even then, ppl would find 'something' to discriminate against each other (or 'elevate' themselves)!! It all may just come down to our 'tribal ancestry' and our adaptive DNA over the generations.....