I recently came across a news item about “Stop the Sag” billboards. You can read all about it HERE.

It’s a billboard campaign being run by New York State Senator Eric Adams urging young men to pull their pants up. The text on the billboard states, “We are better than this! Stop the Sag!”

What struck me right away was the “We”. And I immediately felt uncomfortable.

I hate any situation that is an “us” vs. “them” kind of thing. As soon as you start to categorize people it gets ugly. I don’t care if it’s production workers vs. the professional staff or east siders vs. west siders, or doctors vs. nurses. As soon as you draw a line you’ve created a battle field.

I know what the Senator is trying to do and I applaud him for it. But I’ve seen a lot of white kids sporting the same look. So it’s not entirely a race thing. It makes everyone look stupid - I don’t care who you are.

And now I’ve officially entered the danger zone. I’m starting to feel incredibly uncomfortable about this post.

It’s been gnawing at me for about 2 weeks now. Ever since I saw the news story, I’ve wanted to comment on it, but have always been afraid to because I don’t want to touch any topics on race with a fifty foot pole.

And I think that is what’s really bothering me.

That our state of race in this country is still so poor that I’m afraid to provide any commentary on the topic. It makes me sad, angry and disappointed.

Do others feel this way?

I’m afraid someone will take something I say the wrong way and I’ll be labeled an idiot at best or a racist at worst. I almost feel I have to write a disclaimer saying that I love everyone - I don’t care who you are.

And now I’m getting even more worried. Not sure this post will ever see anything other than the bottom of a garbage can.

But why? Why am I so worried and scared?

This is what I don’t fully understand.

Can someone smarter than me, or more worldly help me out?

All I wanted to say was that as soon as Senator Adams used the word “We” on that billboard, it made me feel uncomfortable because now it became about race. And I hate when that happens.

I wish it would all magically go away and we could simply be brothers and sisters of planet earth.

What can I do to make things better?

Do I start talking about it? Do I just shut up and treat everyone how I want to be treated?

Do I throw this post away and never let it see the light of day?

Remember, I love everybody. Submit.