Love and Racism

I’ve been receiving some feedback from Facebook friends and yes, some of my blog followers. There is evidence of a divide growing among a lot of people based solely on racism. At least it sounds like that bold of a line. Hideous, isn’t it? Racism. The very word is nasty.

With Black History Month (February) behind us, refreshed in our memories are the horrible acts white Americans perpetuated against black Americans in past times. Discrimination is one thing - the slights, sneers, snubs and cold shoulders turned against another human being. Far worse things were done, however. Lynching, dragging behind a car or truck down an unpaved road and burning alive were some of the deeds done against black men and women. Mutilation while alive was another. And all of these acts were done in front of a rowdy audience. A side-show mentality quickly developed and attracted even more witnesses.

There are narratives that attempt to legitimize these horrors as ‘just results’ for criminal actions. Most of those actions were imagined, not real. Looking at a white woman with lust was thought to be suitable reason for a lynching. Who can tell what lust is in a 'look'? What was the motive of the person reporting the incident?

That’s history. But today we are seeing stirrings of similar injustices. Police shootings of black citizens is evidence of something going horribly wrong. Yes, the business of policing communities is fraught with danger and risk; I understand the charged emotions of police officers as they enter a ‘hot zone’ of criminal activity and suspicion. Did the officers overreact to a situation? Was the shooting justified?

Most of us will never know for certain. What I do know for certain is the distrust of our black brethren for police and the white community.

Lynching was in the old days; today it is a police shooting. Same result; the cause unjust. Certainly totally out of proportion to the wrong doing under suspicion.

These are difficult issues to adjudicate on site. They are almost impossible to fully understand. But distrust is believable and palpable. Discrimination is the root cause: someone feels superior to someone else and blames them for whatever is wrong in their life.

As a gay man I know what discrimination is. I have felt it. I’ve had it slam me in the face (not literally). Rude behavior and ridiculous verbal exhortations. Ignorant and unfeeling. Yes, I know what discrimination is like and I feel for anyone who is the target of it.

Women are discriminated against, too. We all know this. Yes, it is polite and subtle at times, but the result is abasing and unfair treatment. Imagine being a black woman! Or a black gay man or woman! The discrimination just keeps heaping up against all those considered inferior.

Of course, the root of discrimination is a false sense of superiority. It is the opposite of love. It goes against our grain of fairness but also against the first commandment of just about every religion: Love your God with all of your heart, and your neighbor as yourself.

It takes humility to love another. It takes humility to love oneself. It take humility to love. Period.

Work on that and maybe we will mark progress against racism.

The thing that horrifies me the most is this: our communities are ours to build and live in. We own them. We make them whatever they will be. If it is a community of racism, it is a failed community. The very definition of community is stripped away.

Racism and discrimination of any kind is an ugly open sore on the face of every community in which it resides. Think about that for a long moment. Is that what we want America to be all about?

I doubt it.

We have a lot of work to do, folks. Discrimination must be eradicated wherever it is. It starts with recognizing it and teaching people love and acceptance. Racism may stem from feelings of superiority, but superiority is the blemish that damns the owner of it.

May 14, 2018