Race Card vs. Work Ethic: STOP the Blame Game

As the nation celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy this week, it proved a perfect platform to expound work ethic and expose the race card. In the dispute of the day, many liberals attempted to infuse race into the GOP debate on Monday evening with the attempt to corner the contenders into appearing out of touch and insensitive. But, why? On MLK day in 2008, the Democratic presidential candidates held their debate on MLK Day, promoted by the Congressional Black Caucus. The acceptance of the latter debate implied that because black individuals sponsored an event on the same day that celebrates a black leader’s heroism, it is okay. Yet, if white individuals want to do likewise, it is deemed racially insensitive. This line of thinking is illogical.

There is absolutely nothing insensitive with having a debate on MLK day regardless of one’s race.  MLK made the profound statement that we should personify one’s character over the color of his skin: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." To placate to a person’s race misses the point completely.

We are living in a time where the economy and skills are greatly needed. Instead, the liberal, progressive philosophy has perpetuated the racial divide, implying that the color of one’s skin and the culture from which he derives radiates prejudice or signifies inferiority. Therefore, people back off from identifying laziness, discussing work ethic, and rewarding diligence, because they fear offending someone and appearing prejudice.

In the presidential debate on Monday night, Newt Gingrich hit at the core of the argument, superseding race and speaking to all human beings about the inherent ability from our Creator to work and see the rewards of our labor. In a poignant statement, he emphasized: "I am going to continue to help poor people learn how to get a job, learn how to get a better job, and learn someday to own the job." He was speaking from a perspective of empowering people to work and own their results. For his full response, see the video below.

Gingrich expressed a position that Booker T. Washington spent his life teaching, “I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed." Perseverance in the face of adversity is not a bad thing. Everyone experiences difficulties in some form. Challenges make people stronger and develop skills that help them succeed. Washington understood this and did not look for an excuse or handout.

The tables are turning. The racial debate is losing in a culture that is increasingly becoming more global, where people are looking for leaders who have character and skill. This is a time where many are saying enough with the racial blame game. We are all individuals with a desire to see a display of courage, diligence, and hard work that will move our country forward.