There is nothing remotely ignorant about moving on from the past. What is ignorant is using the past to perpetuate the very thing that you abhor about it. The history of minorities in this country should never be forgotten, but there is no point in clinging to an era in history that has been occuring since the dawn of man and will continue to occur.
There is an open-mindedness about this sort of thing that is just lost on a lot of people. Again, I fault no one who was there in the thick of it all back before and during the Civil Rights movement. These people's mentality were shaped by the lynches, and separation. Most young generations only have the history books to shape their view on that time. Unfortunately, we are taught not to look at history objectively which in turn makes the entire point of learning of the minorities' struggle pointless. Sure, there will always be incidences where someone ignorant is going to hang dummies from trees or wear Nazi costumes for laughs. But, we are at a point where we are recognized as citizens with equal rights. Therefore, when this sort of thing happens we can just sue and take their money. That would be far more satisfying than bloodying my hands for a fight that is, for the most part now, avoidable.
Like Terry said, this is a debate that is destined to go on in circles. Living in the South, I have learned that people will just be blinded by their hatred or sensibilities towards the subject to move on. Oh well.
