The Editor, Sir:

When the last pillars of apartheid in South Africa, namely, the Group Areas Act, Land Acts and Population Registration Act were abolished in 1991, it paved the path for that country's first non-racial elections from April 26-28, 1994, which saw the installation of that great champion of human rights, Nelson Mandela as president on May 10, 1994.

All peoples of the world thought this was the beginning of a new day of unity among races. One would have hoped that by now we would have been educated to the fact that colour is only skin deep and what we dream, think and accomplish owes nothing to the pigmentation of our skin.

Racism alive

Sadly, racism seems alive and well today in the thoughts and actions of many of those who wield power, whether by money or political influence. Very few people have been willing to step up to the plate and face the issues head-on because, indeed, children are been cultured and the bedroom and veranda talks continue to suggest that the colour of one's skin plays a role in whatever one achieves in life.

I suggest that everyone take some time out to read or listen to the speech on race issues given by Barack Obama in Philadelphia on March 18, titled 'A more perfect union'. Certainly, this speech will go down in history as one of the greatest if not the greatest oratory since Martin Luther King Jr's 'I have a dream'.

Whether we accept it or not the issue of racial divide continues to rear it's ugly head in our societies. Examples can be cited in our country Jamaica as to who the average man on the street thinks control the finances and who 'run things' dependent on the powers that rule and undoubtedly the colour of their skin is a major factor.

Punches thrown

The powers that be in the United States have thrown all the punches conceivable at the most prime candidate to become the next president, Senator Barack Obama, and having not succeeded have drawn the race card by all seductive means, finally trying to vilify his pastor and church.

This is not surprising because despite America's boasting of being the land of the free, the underlying racial divide among its citizens will never fail to defend its cause when threatened by the ascension of the so-called minorities.

The task we are faced with is finding those who are willing to make the link between these divided groups in trying to get to that perfect union because that is where the strength of all economies lies.

Barack Obama stands tall above most of our modern leaders in championing that unification and I call upon the genuine in heart, regardless of race or class, to join him in this charge.

I am, etc,

MICHAEL DUNN

micberd@yahoo.com

Temple Terrace

Florida

Via Go-Jamaica