We need a plan for ending systematic oppression in America. We need it now. Unless one is devised soon, the plight of Americans of color will get worse.

      Americans with darker shades of skin coloring face daily physical, legal and economic exploitation. Some examples of abuse are:

     The enslavement, murder, discrimination and genocide practiced against Africans, their descendants, and other people of color are recorded in America's history. Thousands of books document these abuses. This book shows ways to help reverse this tide of oppression. It helps oppressed citizens discover patterns of distorted thinking. New approaches for fighting oppression and regaining our rights and privileges are revealed.

     Oppressors discriminate against us because of our skin color or gender. They have restricted freedoms, caused emotional suffering, and trapped many in cycles of economic stagnation. "Be patient," says the power group. "Work hard, pay your dues, prove yourselves and eventually you'll achieve your full citizenship rights." Then they laugh as we beg and plead with them to give us what already is ours.

     They enjoy using their privileges and ours too. Why should they hurry change? If we're too lazy, ignorant or uninspired to take back our citizenship rights, we should not be surprised when they keep them. Thieves and outlaws usually do not voluntarily return stolen goods.

     Historians, sociologist and politicians write about the plight of the "Black American." They load us with statistics and make assumptions about our situation. The mental capacity of the 'black' race is always questioned. The ravages of discrimination, a deficient educational system and cultural differences are reasons given for explaining our group situation. This endless talk has produced few effective plans for change.

     Many Americans of African descent fester in pools of frustration, dismay and failure because they have lost hope. The advancement of others is limited by the system and their fears. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad, Marcus Garvey and others all had plans to bring equality and dignity to Americans of African ancestry. Each leader created movements toward this goal. Each of them brought hope to the people.

     Their movements lost momentum after their deaths. The plans of these leaders were either ineffective or unable to function without their strong leadership[. Social policies have reversed some gains their leadership brought.

     Charges of reverse discrimination weakened affirmative action programs. Bakke won a reverse discrimination case against the U.C. Davis medical school in 1978. Fights against busing for school integration delayed improved educational opportunity for many students of African descent.

     National leadership has been sporadic and confused. Some presidents provided no leadership of their own and often have opposed positive leadership from others. Presidents Reagan and Bush were two national leaders who fought civil rights bills by accusing them of being calls for racial quotas. They didn't use the full force of civil rights laws to fight discrimination against Americans of African ancestry. Sometimes strong laws have been overturned by supreme court decisions.

     The lack of effective leadership within the oppressed groups also has been a problem. I do not mean to imply that there is no leadership in the civil rights area. Many are trying to lead. The problem is that these leaders do not present a clear reachable goal. This confuses people. Leaders of factions present conflicting goals with different ideologies. Often they adopt policies that lead nowhere. Some of these policies actually hurt the cause.

     First, members of oppressed groups need clearly recognizable goals. It is very important for the group to understand the true goals they are seeking. Next, they need possible plans for reaching that goal. They can examine both the goal and the plan. Knowing the goal, everyone can evaluate various plans to see if they lead in the right direction.

     Everybody can't lead. But, everyone should know the goal. This is the only way they can recognize and avoid those who would lead in the wrong direction. This also increases the number of knowledgeable people creating workable plans.

     Many think that by just saying we want "Equality" we have set our goal. If this were true there would be less confusion about plans needed to attain it. No American can argue against the idea of equality. But equality means different things to different people.

     Since different communities share the one American economy it would be difficult deciding how to share resources. Separate societies and cultures within United States borders are viewed suspiciously. They are subject to harassment and elimination. The destruction of the original native Americans proves this.

     When societies are completely separate the larger or stronger one will always dominate. Americans of African ancestry or groups with distinctive customs or language must either be fully integrated into the society, or leave the country completely. If they do not, they will face constant discrimination and harassment. I show ways we can remain and survive in the United States of America, our native land.

     There are others seeking not only equality of opportunity, but also equality of outcome. Equality of outcome guarantees everyone success no matter their effort. Here are examples. Equality of opportunity means that job applicants would be evaluated fairly for employment based on suitable education and job skills. Equality of outcome would guarantee high paying jobs for all applicants regardless of qualification. This desire was evident in some plans for attaining equal rights. There is no guarantee of an outcome in a capitalist economy. People seeking it here do not understand the American capitalist system.

      Some people want all the past wrongs corrected so that all groups can start out equally. This is an impossible dream. All people with pale skin didn't profit by the enslavement of Africans. Asking all of them to pay for what some did would be discriminatory. The result of these efforts will be more race hatred and mistrust.

     Others wish to ignore all past wrongs and start with a clean slate. This is wrong also. People living today have been and are still victims of discrimination. They are identifiable and should be compensated for the wrongs committed against them.

     Many males are fighting for equality between males. They just want to have the same power as the pale-skinned male power elite. Female equality does not interest them. Some people are concerned with equality for just Americans of African ancestry. Others work for the equal treatment for all groups. Others know that the real problem is economic inequality between classes of people. There are many different opinions about equality. Each opinion about equality changes the method of attaining it.

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