Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen.

This last paragraph gave me pause. On the one hand, I am a passionate supporter of civil rights and have worked nearly all my life with and for people of color.

On the other hand, I am tired of being saddled with the guilt of the white man's misdeeds, being admonished to embrace what is right. Some people of all colors have done evil, just as some white people have been good and true to their better natures.

Leave it at that, get past the stereotypes, and let's look to the future, emulating President Obama's example, focus on individual responsibility, hope, and civic virtue.