The Red and Black

I was a student at UGA when integration happened, however I have no recollection of Mary Early having been one of the first black students. Hamilton Earl Holmes and Charlene Alberta Hunter were the first two to break the racial barrier. I also know that if the major television networks had not been on campus interviewing and following all the happenings, chances are that the riot would never have happened in the way it did. There was great confusion on campus because state law at that time supposedly would automatically close the school in the case of integration, or perhaps it was to be the governor's call. At any rate, that didn't happen either. I also attended the trial which determined that the university must accept those two students. The presiding judge appeared to actually be dozing during some of the testimony. Looking back, it is sad that it took federal court action for people of other races to be able to attend state schools but unfortunately that was the thought pattern then. Looking forward, it will be equally sad if race is used as a basis for "favors" in the community of the university or the at large "community". In God there is no difference in race as it should be in our own minds. Those who would continually bring up the race card do damage to the very fabric of our society. That card works both ways but should never be a part of the "deck" with which we as a society deal. While it might be worthy to honor these early "pioneers", let that honor not be a shield behind which they or society at large hides or uses to batter down doors that have already been opened. Equality before the law will only be real if it actually happens in the minds and spirits of all races.