Okay, this post, while instructive for everyone, is directed to that part of the black community that sees nothing wrong with the more extreme statements of the "Reverend" Jeremiah Wright. And I want honest answers to the questions at the end. If you think I'm a racist, then I'm going to recommend to you a very large mirror. And then I'll tell you to go to Hell.
First, I will acknowledge all the reasons you may have to be angry with America are rooted in facts. Let's just list them here:
Slavery, America's original sin
All codified racism, such as the Jim Crow Laws
Organized white racism, such as the KKK
Complicity of law enforcement on racism and terror
Other pockets of racist attitudes that exist even today
Now, consider some of the things we have done to right these wrongs
Slavery - The Constitution banned bringing in more slaves after 1808, we fought the Civil War partially over slavery, then there's the Emancipation Proclamation, and the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments.
Codified Racism - Civil rights act of 1964
The Klan, and Law Enforcement - Read the Wikipedia article if you want more detail, but as these groups perpetuated hate, they were crushed and decimated over time.
Racists Today - People have the right to be bastards, no matter what their color. But there are a multitude of people who stand against them. And I include Me.
I know that it's a simplification, but I'm a simple person (some would call me a simpleton, but they're dorks) and I value a little brevity now and then. And I also admit that most black people have to eat a few extra shit sandwiches on their way through life. But it's still no excuse for dwelling on all the bad and not embracing the possibilities that are out there.
So, if you are in the group that thinks America is systematically keeping you down, here are my questions:
1. Why is angry rhetoric by one pastor okay and another's is vile hate speech?
2. What good does it do you or your self-esteem to rail against an oppressor rather than working harder to prove yourself better ?
3. Why dwell on the past when the future is ahead of you?
Think before you write. Otherwise I'm sure you'll look like the racist.
1 comment:
America has done so much to right its wrongs but some people are just very bitter, pessimistic, hateful people. Slavery is still going on in many countries and yet by the way some talk America seems to be the only country that ever had the evils of slavery in its past.
Post a Comment