To begin with the topic;
I stopped participating.
We stopped watching "regular TV" in about 1987. Never looked back. We are avid movie watcher, but very rarely see commercials.
Stopped watching the news in late 2001. I feel truly sorry for anyone who still gets their information from a network. Instead I get my news from reading. I read 4-6 hours a day. Two benefits:
1. You get a fairly well developed "BS-meter" for the written word, that way.
2. You don't have to sit through ****, then commercials, just to find out if the next story is also ****. Sure shortens your day!
Race;
Because of how I grew up I've become a "rabid egalitarian". (more later, perhaps) There is no doubt that people of all color keep the race issue alive for personal, and political gain. They make forgiveness very difficult.
One of the most intelligent thinks I ever hear on the matter is about 15 years old, and I cannot remember the source:
"The question of race, in this country, would benefit most by a 20 year period of benign neglect."
If thats too lofty, think of what mom told ya:
"Don't pick it! It'll NEVER heal!"
Fred