Name:   MrHodja - Subject:   Mr H you sound as if you think Date:   8/1/2019 5:49:55 PM

By no means is economic well-being the ONLY measure of happiness, but seems to be the most commonly used metric.  Several of what you mention are red herrings, in that laws and public sentiment have made those things far better than when I grew up.  Speaking of that, in my "formative years" the only thing separating our house (located in the state of Arkansas)  from the black neighborhood behind us was an alley.  When I had a paper route serving, among others, the black area of downtown I witnessed things that a 12 year old shouldn't see.  I worked in a McDonalds in 1963 where I witnessed black potential customers being turned away just because of the color of their skin.  After the paper route I served as head usher at a local movie theater where the ticket booth had two sides, one with stairs leading to the balcony for the blacks, the other into the main theater area for everyone else.  On another front homosexuality was strictly suppressed and few if any made their sexual orientation known.

The reason for mentioning all those facts is to compare that environment to now.  Black folks freely live along with whites, hispanics, and asians.  On my 1.5 mile long dead-end road the poulation is a mix of white, black, and asian.  Don't know of any hispanics but nobody would lift an eyebrow if they did move in.  As to the black population still living in poverty, I strongly suspect a good deal, or at least some of that is because they are reminded in many ways that they are not expected to do well, and Government assistance allows them to scrape by.  Over time it becomes a generational thing where kids grow up thinking squalor is normal.  And that applies to "poor white trash" as well as what some call "people of color". Single parent households is another limiting factor and the only ones keeping it that way are the mothers and fathers of those children.  Again, it is so prolific that it is considered "normal".  

I could go on but the opportunities for happiness are there much more than when I was in school, and if your comeback is they can't afford to do any better I refer you to my original post.  Is this a perfect country with perfectly equal opportunity for all, no.  Is it better than when I grew up in Arkansas, absolutley.  Do I have prejudices, yes.  Do I constructively control them?  Yes.  I learned a long time ago that one grows up with prejudices (the type and amount depending on their upbringing) and those predudices are permanent.  What the person must do is make a conscious effort to not let those prejudices influence interpersonal relations, and I strive to achieve that every day.  I grew up with prejudices against blacks, but now some of my closest friends and confidants are black.  I grew up in a Roman Catholic family and was taught extreme prejudice against those of Jewish faith.  I struggle every day to keep those in check as well.  I grew up to disdain homosexuality but yet two of my daughter's friends are a lesbian couple and they are welcome in my house any time.  If they decide to get "married" I will attend the ceremony and wish them well...because I care for them as people even though I do not believe their relationship is "ok".

So the bottom line is that no matter how you measure success these days all citizens have more opportunities today than when I was a tyke, particularly when it comes to employment. In spite of all the reasons I should be, I am not a racist and suspect that many who are accused of being racist are flasely accused.  And only Donald Trump knows whether he is racist or says and does certain things for political or economic advantage.  Only he and the Lord know what is in his heart.  Exhibiting behavior that is to some racist does not make him a racist.  And don't start it with the Trumpista crap because if I had an alternative candidate who would be better for the country I probably be supporting him or her.  I just know the cast of clowns on the D side does not include that person.

OK, have to go to the vet and pick up our terminally ill rescue pet.  Hopefully you get my drift.