Overcoming Apathy to Racism

Yesterday I came across an article on Diversity Inc. regarding a racist editorial cartoon that was run in a Pennsylvania newspaper that the editor later had to apologize for running (curiously, the cartoonist who drew the picture is not apologizing). I posted about it on Facebook, which resulted in the below:
Not that the post attracted a lot of attention or discussion, but it surprised me how the same problem can yield a different effect on people. Later on in the day, when the emotions had dissipated, I began to wonder…did I overreact? I spend a lot of time reading, writing and talking about racism…both formally and informally. It is unfair to even begin to assume that the vast majority of other people out there come even close. Many times, discussions of racism catch people by surprise. It isn’t a topic that pops up on their radar on a regular basis. The reason why is simple; it has little direct impact on your day to day life.