An article appeared recently in the Columbus Dispatch, the major daily for the city of Columbus, Ohio, that clearly illustrates that during this month that we are celebrate African Americans' contributions to this country, that we still have not arrived to a time where racial bigotry and hate is a thing of the past.  The accompanying photograph sums up the feelings of this individual protester. 

Columbus, located in central Ohio, is today the largest city in Ohio.  It, along with other Ohio cities played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad in helping many slaves find freedom from the oppression, violence and cruelty of the American South.  But along with the good, there comes the bad.  This incident occurred in a small city just a few miles south of the largest metropolitan area in the state.  It shows that still lingering, many years later, is a deep seeded hate, and resistance to the positive change that diversity has brought, and will continue to bring to our country.     

If you are bent on becoming successful in any endeavor in which you find yourself involved in, you must always recognize the importance of diversity.  Unfortunately, the young man that displayed the hateful sign on the back of his truck's tailgate really does not get it or understand how diversity has made the United States an better, more civilized and progressive country. 

What Dr. King stood for, what he fought for and what he ultimately died for was for the equal rights, the equal opportunity for all folk, regardless of race, creed, color or gender.  He stood for equality and opportunity for all.  And if he were alive today, and saw the sign on the back of the truck, he would indeed chuckle, but he would, with all of his energy, defend the owner's right to display such a hate filled sign. 

And even though some people don't get it and will probably never get it, we will, arrive at a time and a place where those folk will be a part of the past.  America has a very bright, and colorful future!