First, the concept of race is very fungible. Rachel Dolezal, Verda Byrd, and passers in just about every "race" proves that race is, in fact, a social construct. While melanin and certain physical attributes may seem definitive, the exceptions always make the arguments moot.

Secondly, while all "races" can be racist, not all are racist with power. In the aggregate, it is unidirectional. If there is any doubt whatsoever, make an attempt to name a law that in the aggregate negatively affects the majority population.

Things are moving pretty fast. Confederate flags are coming down, and Confederate statues seem to be the next target. In Houston and other cities, schools with the names of Confederate heroes are being targeted as well.

The phrase don't waste a good crisis comes to mind. And it seems all the activists are ready to decimate what's left in the virtual cocoon of the Confederacy.

In a rather strange way, could the speed of these events be the seed to the race war Dylann Roof was seeking? To be clear, Dylann Roof did not have the capacity of multidimensional thinking, as his manifesto clearly proved. However, the anger and impotence being felt by those with feeble minds, those who believe their values and their imaginary supremacy are symbolized by that Confederate flag and their Confederate heroes ... in their minds, what do they have left. They are well-armed and many may feel they have nothing to lose. To them, it is the civil war all over again.

To be clear, the Confederate flag is a symbol of hate. The Confederate heroes fighting under that flag were fighting to keep a people enslaved under the false tenet of states' rights. It was an evil endeavor.

But before those from outside the Confederacy get on their high horses, they must remember that racism is not a Southern thing. It is an American thing. Busing in Boston, riots in Watts, to name but two, are probative.

Concentrating on Confederate symbols does little to solve the real racial problems that afflict the country. For if and when the Confederate flags are gone, if and when the Confederate statues are gone, and if and when the Confederate-named structures are renamed, the scourge of income, wealth, and racial disparities will remain.

Again, the phrase don't waste a good crisis applies. We must all realize that above and beyond this tragedy, we are being played.

Is this Charleston tragedy being used to play us all? Twenty-six innocent Americans were murdered in Sandy Hook. Very little was done to mitigate that tragedy. Nine innocent Americans died in Charleston. Is much really happening? Or is it just a semblance of much? A decoy?

While we necessarily take our eyes off the ball for this tragedy, we must ensure that we do not allow the plutocracy to change the nation's conversation. We must be vigilant.

We must rid ourselves of the Confederate flag. We must rid ourselves of the pain of the Confederacy. We must keep the doors open for those who feel unjustifiably lost for something they really never had. We allow the atonement for those seeking atonement for their knowing or unknowing bad deeds.

We cannot, however, allow the systemic structural failure of our economy and society to be defined, encapsulated, or deflected solely or mostly as a racial problem. For it is that social construct that has continued to suck the power out of us as it preys on our irrational fears.