Dear Editor,
Mr de Freitas is back again taking my words out of context. He wanted to know why I think it is important to single someone out by his race instead of calling that person an ‘American’ (‘Why is Obama distinguished by his race?’ SN 5.7.08).
For starters, I never said it was important to single someone out by his race. However, to say that race does not exist is to live in denial. Mr de Freitas is confusing the difference between ‘race’ and ‘nationality.’ Space does not permit me to go into distinguishing differences.
Mr Obama’s race is ‘African-American,’ but his nationality is ‘American.’ Contrary to what Mr de Freitas may think, Mr Obama’s race not only has made his run historic, but also epitomizes ‘change’ which is his campaign’s slogan. Every aspect of life distinguishes race. It first starts with your birth certificate. A job application not only requires race, but also nationality. I wonder what’s on Mr Obama’s job application. To buy a house or to apply for a mere loan requires race and nationality. Why? The government requires it.
It should be taken with a grain of salt when one says race is not important. Race and different shades of colour are what make our world so special and diverse. We are all beautiful flowers in God’s garden.
Yours faithfully,
Pastor Daniel Singh
