For some time I've been reading a myriad of articles and letters singing the praises of Barack Obama, lauding and vetting every possible aspect of his personal situation, his great challenges, unique accomplishments and amazing capabilities. In fact, I feel as though I know him far better than some members of my own family and at the same time, I know far more about national and world problems than I ever did.

Still, this race issue confuses me and I think there's a lesson here we all need to learn. Most who readily claim him as a black or African American seem to want to ignore the fact that he is at least partly white.

Those who know he is at least partly white don't seem to want to claim him as white at all - I suppose because he is not totally white. Isn't this hypocrisy and aren't these racist acts in themselves? Judge for yourself.

Often ignored

The notion presents an even greater problem for those of other races who also want to have pride in themselves.

They're asking, and apparently are too often ignored, if this isn't the same form of discrimination that many in America's white majority demonstrated for hundreds of years and that blacks, because of Obama's accomplish-ments, are now conveniently ignoring? Let me ask, then just how does continuing with this 'lie' hold out any real promise for improvement in race relations?

The fact is that Barack Obama is actually neither a white nor a black man, neither Caucasian nor Negro to the exclusion of the other, so the idea that one race can claim him as their own is ridiculous, isn't it? Indeed, shouldn't that be the real, only and best lesson that Obama's particular racial makeup repre-sents? If you want to celebrate racial diversity, do so without being racist or don't do so at all.

I am, etc.,

ED MCCOY

mmhobo48@juno.com

Bokeelia

Florida