As a lifelong member of the LDS Church, one who was raised in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, racism was second nature. I never understood. Didn’t get it. In FACT, still have a crush on some random very tall, very handsome black man who lives in my little town, and has no idea who I am. (I walk by his house all the time. Have invented numerous stories for his life, and now don’t want to meet him because they could not possibly be true.)

But I KNOW what I was taught, and I KNOW what I learned growing up. The “Negroes” had a place, and it was not in our church, in our “priesthood.” Which is why I understand where this statement came from. Please note, this does not mean it does not appall me. It does.

Ted: If the spectre of Black people being hanged from trees is so horrific, why is their no outrage over Barrack Obama Christmas Tree Ornaments?

This was a status update from someone I grew up with. Someone I have had exchanges with. And before you get all ruffled and feathery-like, please let me assure you it is NOT Todd. These are both real people I know.

I’ve seen pictures of Todd in Mexico, and so perhaps Susan, who posts from there, knows Todd. But this is a completely different person.

I know them both.

And Ted is appalling for reasons Todd could never touch. I have NEVER seen Todd say something as absolutely racist and downright ugly as this. And yes, I think Todd is in denial, and he’s too smart for what he is trying to defend (and I really believe one day he will come out and admit it), but the CORE TRUTH is Todd is a good person. Is Ted? I cannot be sure, and it makes me sad.

When he would post his liberal anti-Obama crap on FB, I would question him. I would invite him HERE. He never took up that invitation. He claimed I “picked my battles well,” which really only means I only fight against or defend what I know is wrong. I don’t argue with what I can’t possibly defend.

But this? THIS is too much. Are you FUCKING KIDDING ME?

Take your club and slink back to your cave, please. People are people. We are all created equal, and if you haven’t figured that out yet, then you need to spend some time hanging from a tree, or perhaps in a gas oven just because you happen to be of a certain ethnic persuasion. Walk a mile in their shoes, people.

Spend a few years as a woman who has been mutilated so she can’t feel pleasure, all because MEN WANT IT THAT WAY.

Racism, sexism, ignoranusism all really PISS ME OFF.

And Shane? I read your story, and it was kind of sad, but the truth is, you still HAVE NO CLUE. You are a bright, intelligent, talented young man. Perhaps I can help you FIND that clue. Look at the facts.

Is it REALLY that hard to just LOVE ONE ANOTHER? Why is that such a huge challenge, especially among “Christians” who claim this as the mantra above all others? Love one another, except that black man, and that Jewish man, and perhaps the woman who loves another woman. Love everybody else, except that boy whose mother is a prostitute, and that Mormon mother who is a meth addict, and of course that bishop who is a closet alcoholic. LOVE THEM ALL, except for everybody who is human. The rest of them… You can love.

And that, folks, is dumbass logic. Too bad so many people live by it.