by Thomas Sowell

About the author: Thomas Sowell is a nationally syndicated columnist and a senior fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institute.

Everyone seems to have a racial story that fits the spirit of the times. Let me tell you a couple of mine.

One sunny Sunday afternoon many years ago, I was out driving along Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, enjoying a view of the Pacific. Suddenly a bicycle rider made a left turn in front of me.

Islammed on the brakes but it was too late. His body bounced off the hood of the car, hit the windshield and ricocheted off into the street, where he landed in a heap.

Horrified, I stopped the car and got out to help him. He had only a few minor bruises but I was...