Why in the U.S. at the present time, do we have so many problems with race and religion?

So, you are white… But we — Black, brown, white, grey, green — are all humans, aren’t we? Who gave people their skin color? Who decided white was the best?

Why are race and religion such a big issue in this modern age of enlightenment when we should all know better?

Let’s look at race and religion from a historical point of view.

Racism emerged in the 15th and 16th centuries with the expansion of European imperialism/colonialism to justify their exploitation and dehumanizing of the peoples of Asia, Africa and South America.

North America is out of the equation because white people settled in North America and that fact made American soil holy ground filled with a superior race. Never mind the Natives.

Well, race is a social construct given legitimacy after the Europeans “discovered” Asia, Africa and South America and found the immense “riches” buried beneath the soil of these “poor” countries.

Racial classifications are also influenced by social and political factors used by those in power as a means of control over others — as presently used in the U.S. to kick out dark immigrants.

Racism is also linked to colonialism and the justification of slavery.

Another aspect of race is: God created Adam and Eve, but we have no knowledge of their skin color. So, how do we assign skin color — white is better, brown is unacceptable — when we have no basis for condemning a person’s pigmentation. Do babies choose their skin color?

Religion: The holy religions of God should be accepted and practiced as it was revealed, to be observed if one is a true believer. All the prophets of God — Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jacob and the tribes, David, Jesus, Muhammed — (Peace be with them), came to us humankind with the same messages to make us better people, to live by God’s decrees, make our lives better, our faith stronger and eventually get to heaven.

We know the messages the prophets gave to us including the Ten Commandments of Moses.

All the prophets of God were born in the Middle East — so more than likely they were dark skinned, and they preached their messages to the people of their times.

Perhaps the white leaders of America need a messenger from God now to show them the right path to salvation and how to deal with race and religion.

Why in the U.S. at the present time, do we have so many problems with race and religion?

People are not responsible for the color of their skin. So why are they being persecuted and paying such a sinful price for the pigmentation they had no control over?

Years ago, I wrote a “My Turn” for this newspaper titled “Can’t Choose Your Parents, Race or Religion.” Well, why are innocent people persecuted because they are Haitians, Syrians or Hispanics?

And those beautiful paintings of the white, blue-eyed Jesus hanging in museums? How could Jesus be white with blue eyes, if he was born in the Middle East? And his mother was of Middle Eastern origins?

Where is this country going? Birthright citizens, Haitians and Syrians are not the right people for American soil. We shoot Mexicans in Texas on sight because they look suspicious.

There are those people who live in fear day and night because they have the wrong color. It does not matter that they have lived here legally for 60 years and worked and paid taxes.

It is a time to feel sad for the dark people of the world because they did not ask for dark skin.

But we must feel even sadder for the white people who persecute innocent people because of their skin.

Race and religion are private matters. It is how we love, respect and accept each other that make us human beings.

So, you are white, but we are all humans and will return to the same Creator at the end of the day. Why not embrace each other now? See you in the hereafter.

Evelyn Uddin-Khan