Why can't we discuss, race, gender and orientation as adults?

When I was in graduate school in Pennsylvania, Indiana University of Pennsylvania to be exact, I got involved with the Students for Gay Rights group on campus and the state Commonwealth Association of Students. We were seeking better representation on campus and in the state for minority students of all kinds. That involvement led us to form coalitions with other groups on campus and throughout the state.

This led to a formative moment in my life. We approached the President of the Black Student League to have them join the coalition. They agreed and together we were able to dominate the student government and the state Commonwealth Association of Students for several years.

The process of forming the coalition and the opportunities that followed were what led to the formative moment for me. We were able to cross the divides of race, gender and sexual orientation to discuss our concerns, fears, anger and see each other as real human beings. No longer were we talking at each other in rhetoric, buzz words and divisive, polarizing accusations.

That is what I see in Barack Obama. His speech the other night on race showed me that he gets it. He really gets it. It's time to sit down as adults and get things out in the open and treat each other as human beings and as adults. It's time to work through the anger and the hurt that is felt on both sides and let the process of healing begin. If not now, when?

Of course there are those on both sides who have a vested interest in keeping the divisiveness and polarization because they are making a living at keeping it going. It's time to tell them where to go.