Get the feeling

So the second in command sends out a video slandering our new President elect. He uses racist language and a threatening tone. I was informed this by someone who did not vote for Senator Obama and the feeling I received was much like a "see, told you so- they are going to test us". I originally responded by saying we have been tested (9/11) and our response to that over the last 8 years, has not been so great. We should give our new President the benefit of the doubt that he will be able to react and respond appropriately. This person then went on to say,"yeah, and he wanted to sit down with them!" Which we all know to not be the case.There never was any insinuation that he would sit down with terrorist organizations that bombed our country and have a chat. However, in retrospect the exchange really convoluted a basic problem in this country. One of which I have never felt a part of. The R-word, racism. A known terrorist taped and distributed a video of himself throwing racial epithets at our newly elected President and initially this did not make me angry. I can come up with many "reasons" I did not react instantly. I will spare you. The fact is I should have been immediately angered by someone racially slandering my President. Unfortunately it took me some time to understand what this means and to accept it. Now, I am angry. First, at myself for not defending my President. Next, at the surrounding environment that has created and supports general racist behaviour, so much so that I am unaware of its glaring presence in this circumstance, and lastly at the soulless murderer on the video tape. We should all take offense, we should all demand respect be shown, we should all forbid what is growing in mindless banter regarding race and separatism. If there is to be any hope for healing this divide we must be offended together, be respectful together, and defend what this great country has recently done. This is not a matter of policy or character, this is a matter of skin color and we should unite as the country this terrorist is insulting; not observe the struggle from afar. If President elect Obama is tested- we are tested. Let us unite in preparation and support of our President and sharpen our perceptions so that we stand on the side of the American ideals. Freedom for all don't we deserve to give that to ourselves and each other?