DEAR CRABBY: Racial Taunts ... Problem or Symptom

DEAR CRABBY: I was appalled to read this article.  I find it disgusting that the students at a catholic school would direct chants like these towards the students of a largely African American inner city school.   "We've got futures. We've got futures." "Flip our burgers.”  It is thoughtless and racist.  I am truly upset that our youth, the people who are the future of our country, would behave in this manner.  What can we do about this sort of behavior? - Outraged

DEAR OUTRAGED: Well, how about nothing?  What concerns me isn’t what was said.  I’m disgusted that what was said is probably true.  That ought to be what is bothering you.  Having the students at the private catholic school be respectful during a basketball game doesn’t give the students at the inner city school the same opportunities that the private school students enjoy.  It’s easy to be bothered by racist taunts.  You can comfortable criticize without feeling guilty.  After all, you would never say such a thing.  You might, however, think it.  You might realize it’s true.  You might benefit from it.  You might realize how much effort it would take to correct it.  So, shame on those students … but shame on you, and all the rest of us, too.