I blew it.
On a day when Sen. Barack Obama gave a historic speech on race in America, I had a chance in my own little world to stand up for what's right; to stand up for what unites us; to stand up for what's best about America.
But I didn't. Instead, I let my mother's racist comments stand unchallenged. If I had the chance to go back in time and change the conversation, this is what I should have said. And sadly, I am not making her comments up:
Mom, you're wrong.
It's fine if Brother gets a job in Idaho. I've heard it's beautiful there. And it's nice that your research has shown that the crime rate is low. I'm sure it would be a fine place to raise little Niece.
But I can't believe you just said that.
"There are few blacks there"? "That causes fewer problems"?
So what problems, exactly, are you talking about? A culture that's different from yours? Different words? A different take on religion?
In my mind, the worst thing we can do is to huddle together with people who are just like us. Jesus didn't say, "Love your white, blue-eyed, European neighbor." He said love your neighbor. And that includes all of us. Regardless of what we look like.
What do we learn from each other when we limit whom we associate with? What do we learn when the only viewpoints we will consider are those we already agree with? Little. What, then, would be the point of associating with anyone at all? One might as well save her time and just stare at the mirror.
You're right, Mom. The clips you saw on Fox News of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright were shocking. But is it also possible that you have no idea what his life has been like? Is it possible that you have no clue about what it's like to be black in America? Or gay? Or blind? Or any other characteristic that makes us unique?
I suppose you probably think that I no longer should support Barack Obama because of something his pastor said. What you said, in my mind, was just as bad. Should I also reject you? I would assume that you would think that you shouldn't be judged by a couple of comments. Neither should the Rev. Wright.
I guess I'll see you on Easter, Mom. Frankly, at this point, I'd rather not. But I'm looking to two non-white men for guidance. Sen. Barack Obama has not abandoned his pastor. And Jesus has abandoned none of us. He died for me. He died for you. And yes, he died for Obama and the Rev. Wright, too.
The next time you say something so awful, don't expect me to keep my mouth shut.