Barack Obama’s recent problems with Rev. Wright, his pastor of 20 years has provided useful insights into the racial divide in America. First and perhaps foremost it has shown the insidious racism which permeates far too many in the "black" community. That this type of thought is considered acceptable, to say nothing of rational, in a Christian church is simply heartbreaking. The sad fact is that as a percentage of the population, full throated racism is much more prevalent in the "black" community than the general population at large.
Barack Obama’s recent problems with Rev. Wright, his pastor of 20 years has provided useful insights into the racial divide in America. First and perhaps foremost it has shown the insidious racism which permeates far too many in the "black" community. That this type of thought is considered acceptable, to say nothing of rational, in a Christian church is simply heartbreaking. The sad fact is that as a percentage of the population, full throated racism is much more prevalent in the "black" community than the general population at large.
One would have to visit the KKK or Aryan Nation or various branches of La Raza to hear similar thoughts openly expressed and supported. And of course the twisted idea that some individuals, regardless of their thoughts and actions, can never be racist is absurdity on stilts. But it certainly gives complete cover so one never has to look in the mirror and ask hard questions.
Have "blacks" been discriminated against? Absolutely. Does it continue to this day? Without a doubt. Is it far more than most "whites" believe? Most assuredly. It was only 40 some years ago when individuals were met with fire hoses, batons, and snarling dogs for marching for the simple right to be treated as everyone else... to be equal. Collectively we have strayed far from this noble goal.
But signs which read "Irish Need Not Apply" and "No Dogs or Mexicans Allowed" were also common not that long ago. Many questioned whether Italians were fully human and of course everyone has always loved the Germans. Those from Asia were treated as disposable entities, much less than human. American Indians have sadly been abused for hundreds of years.
Some might argue that the history of bigotry against these individuals and their ancestors justifies their ingrained and normalized racism. To these I ask a simple question... how can actions and words which only further cement racist thoughts bring about the end to racism? It seems an insane proposition to me. Or isn’t that the goal in the first place? Or is the goal to only replace one oppressor with a new tyrant? A little pay-back if you will, as in black liberation theology. This is a solution to racism?!
An oppressed group of individuals will of course band together and form their own special ways of being... this is an observable fact which is true around the globe. But instead of freeing oneself this only chains the individual to this falsehood, this oppression. Worse yet, this has the perverse result of only spreading and embedding racism... as the distressing teachings of Rev. Wright so sadly illustrate.
I don’t know how to change the past. One million years from now the institution of slavery and racial bigotry will still be a stain on all of humanity. Nothing said or done today can change this reality. Screaming and fighting to change the past seems like more than a fool’s errand, it leads one to a never ending spiral into darkness, despair, and failure. What is done is done. This not a philosophy, it is a fact.
The only way to end racism is to not practice it. Not really a cosmic thought is it? Ultimately there is only one person on the entire planet over which you have complete control, and that is yourself. If you believe racism is wrong, then rid yourself of racist thoughts and actions. Stop these insane beliefs about "black" and "white" this and that; beliefs which have no basis in fact or science. You can’t control "the other guy" so control yourself.
I will be the first to admit this is no simple task. I will be the first to admit that some might have to mentally travel further than others. That doesn’t change its factual truth. When forming my educational non-profit organization, E.I.C. Enterprises, I had a very difficult time gaining 501(c)3 designation from the federal government. My offense? In the schools I hope to open we refuse to classify individuals by racist slurs like "black" or ‘white"... there are only individuals and we will treat them as such. Sadly, this battle with the government is not over. They demand one be a racist, we refuse.
Schools – and one would hope churches and governments - should teach and promote the factual truth and the factual truth is there are only individuals and no individual is defined by their physical traits or where their most recent ancestors came from. It is no more complicated than that.