This past Tuesday's Tribune featured a Viewpoint that, after a quick read, proved to be hypocritical. I must rebuttal; after all, in the second line of your article, you called me out by generalizing. Generalization may just be the most important factor that leads to racism. To generalize is to make assumptions, and with assumptions, people divide.

Last week's Viewpoint made sure to include the disclaimer "I'm not here to call everyone who is white a racist." I can assume that with the tone it was written in, that may not be what you are here for, but it's certainly seems to be what you're thinking. Don't generalize.

Aside from dismissing that most valuable atypical case, the biggest pitfall of racism is considering race a factor at all in the treatment of people. Our "Open letter to the white Marquette community" author leaves me with the impression that next time I see a black man on the street, I should say to myself, "Oh my, here's someone of a different race, I'd better make a good example, because God knows what we've put him through." My mental processes should not include race at all. I should make a good example for the sake of the fact that the man is a human being, and who knows what life has put him through — not because I'm white and he's black. Every person should get the same treatment from me on the street, and as a fellow human being, it had better be good treatment.

I am not responsible for my great-grandfather's sins. Don't accuse me. If someone sees me as the reason for slavery, they are themselves generalizing. I understand there is racism out there and it is unjustified, but when we blame those responsible by assuming their entire race acts the same, it is as if we're trying to push ourselves away. I believe the author I am questioning has great intentions, but race is not a factor if I don't care to consider it one.

A recent Marquette survey asked me if I was proud to be part of my race. Proud to be white? No. Proud to be a child of God? Absolutely. Don't consider race, consider dignity; and please don't generalize — I can't take any more assumptions about me.

David Lynde is a junior in the College of Engineering