Dear Larry: I am a white female college student and thrilled about the election of Barack Obama as president of the United States. I am not alone in my happiness. All of my friends, especially the African-Americans, are giddy with glee. I have heard them say over and over they just can't believe his election happened in their lifetimes.

I mentioned to one of them that it is so good to see his election because it proves that America is no longer racist, and blacks should consider racism a thing of the past.

Larry, my friend actually cursed me out and called me a naive fool. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I was hurt so badly that I actually ran away crying.

First, I thought I was stating the obvious. President-elect Obama never even could have thought about winning without the white vote.

Second, I think the election of Obama proves a black person can aspire to and achieve the highest position in the world. What more proof does a race need in order to see that the door to opportunity is open and racism is not a factor?

What am I missing in my analysis? I need someone to explain why my friend reacted in such an outlandish manner. — Confused

Dear Confused: People who have depended upon a system that gives them an advantage and an excuse for failure will not give it up easily. You are right that the election of Obama proves race is not a significant enough barrier to prevent blacks from achieving in America.

People who disagree with me will hold on to their belief that race is an overwhelming barrier. In order to prove their assertion, they find some racist in America, regardless of how remote, and point to that one person for why they are not doing better. People who do not want to take responsibility will always find a way to blame someone else.

I have a friend who lives in a major city on the East Coast, and we would discuss the reasons for the lack of black achievement. The first excuse my friend gave was there were not enough black teachers. Once the district hired a significant number, the next excuse was blacks were not in the schools' administrations. Once blacks were hired as principals and even superintendents, the next excuse was the political power structure was all white. When that was changed, my friend blamed housing and then jobs. The list of reasons never stopped. It was one excuse after another blaming someone else.

When I pointed out I thought the real problem was broken families, lack of fathers, and failure to make education a priority, I was called an Uncle Tom. The reason my so-called friend reacted so strongly was that all of the problems I mentioned could be solved only by the black race.

Someone who has spent a lifetime blaming others will have problems shifting the responsibility.

To find out more about Larry G. Meeks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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