The issue: people or politics?

I will allow this to stand as my final defense. If one still desires to drag my name through the mud, feel free.\nI remain by my decision to run the cartoon and hold that my "point" is worth considering. However, many still feel the need to attack my character.\nI apologize for the pain experienced by those who viewed the cartoon from a different perspective than my own. And though I cannot experience their emotions, I respect them. Still, I do not believe that this negates my right to interpret the piece as I see fit.\nIt pains me to read the letters implying that I am a racist, ill-informed or have attempted to use my own heritage as a shield from attacks. Still, I publish the dissenters views and have made attempts to personally meet with them. Some have met, and the discussions were productive. Others find it convenient to delay meeting until they have their opportunity to point more fingers.\nThe problem with this issue, as my editor puts it, is "there is not enough face time." Judgments are being made without regard to personal experience. Many find it effective to hide behind words and shout cavalier, because these issues are worth it; but what is not "worth it" is intertwining the substance of the debate with individual motivations. \nThe issue is not that the IDS supports racism or that I am a bigot. The issue is that even in 2003, race is still more than color. It is still pain, pride, community and fear. We all walk on eggshells to comment on the realities of redressing history's mistakes, but no one has a firm grip on how to balance the line between insensitivity and political opinion. As a result, progress is hindered. The focus becomes personal and not societal.\nIf tolerance is desired, tolerance must be practiced. Tolerance does not imply acceptance of ideas; it implies listening and respecting ideas. We need "face time" so that opponents become people and not representatives of opposing politics. Only then can we all see that in this world, nothing is "pointless"