How Far Have We Really Come with Civil Rights?

It is at this time of year that we reflect on the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr and his courageous stand for civil rights. On April 4, 2008 it will have been 40 years since his untimely death.

Civil rights are synomous with natural rights. So to begin with we all should share a feeling of shame and guilt that civil or natural rights have to be fought for. And we all contribute to these rights one way or another. Yes even the targets of racism have thrown lighter fluid onto the fire by using belligerence and retaliation to gain there form of presumed power. Or those of us who have been tolerant of contention and ignoring its danger.

Dr. King despite whatever imperfections he may have personally had, worked hard and relentless at making a nation face the cold hard facts that society was very intolerant of diversity. Disgraceful and yet true. What was accomplished and how are we doing in the present?

It should be stated that people all over this planet have a problem with common sense when it comes to the variety of cultures and skin complexion. The notorious Indiane caste system for example. The economic and tonal differences go hand and hand.

Ironically complexion is biological. A protein molecule called melanin causes variation in “color” tone or our pigmentation. A pigment is a material that changes the color of light it reflects as the result of selective color absorption. So it varies upon the amount of light that it reflects or absorbs. That simple. Nothing more or nothing less. Behavior is not linked to skin complexion whether we want it too or not. There are countless scientific studies that prove that.

The quantity of melanin in our skin is what determines largely determines the lightness or the darkness of our skin. Of course the DNA components we receive from our parents are also a factor in influencing how much melanin we have in us. It’s main function is to help deal with UV-rays depleting needed minerals, vitamins, and nutrients from humans. Geography plays a part in the level of UV-rays of course.

Inexplicably however this natural process became a justification for self absorbed humans to create mythological levels of superiority and inferiority. As mentioned with the caste system in India for example. All of the nations on Earth in fact have superficially caved into this atrocious concept without hesitation. It has continued for centuries.