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Friday, July 19, 2013

Finding Common Ground: 6 Things I Wish Black and White People Knew About Each Other

  
 
   Over the past few weeks, I have tried to do my own little part to mitigate a "war" between those who believe that black people are thugs and racists, unable to see past their own skin color, on one side, and those convinced that white people are the proprietors and profiteers of a power structure meant to keep minorities down and perpetuate a culture of systemic injustice, on the other side.
 

  I have, of course, been unsuccessful. 

  Because I took on an impossible task, I succeeded only in tying myself into knots, my points being muddled and subsumed into the cacophony of voices arguing for this side or that side.

  Upon further reflection, I think a big part of the problem is that we are talking past each other without stopping to understand each other.


   And so after yet another unproductive discussion, I'm just going to let it all out here and then give my soul a rest.

Here are the six things I want black people to know about white people.


1. Many white people feel bullied. In addition, they feel judged for things done in the past they had no control over and for being people who they aren't. They are hesitant to say or do certain things around their black friends for fear of being labeled. And they do not want special treatment, but to be held to the same standard as everyone else.

2.  They are not all the same. They didn't all vote for Mitt Romney and they do not all support George Zimmerman (many, yes; all, no). They have varied likes and dislikes, hopes and fears, opinions and values, and they want to be judged for who they are, not by the color of their skin.

3.  They don't disagree with you because you're black,  but because they think you're wrong on substance and that doesn't make them racist.

4. They are just as sick and tired of racial division as you are and wonder what to do about it.

5. There are bad eggs among them (you and I have met them), but it's unfair to judge one person by another person's character and not their own.

6. By and large, they are some really cool people. 
 

Here are the six things I want white people to know about black people.

1. Many black people feel bullied. Furthermore, they feel judged for doing things they haven't done and for being people who they are not. They are hesitant to say or do certain things around their white peers for fear of being labeled. They don't want to you to condescend to them, but to treat them as you would anyone else.

2.  They are not all the same. They don't all agree with the NAACP or the Congressional Black Caucus, nor do they all support Trayvon Martin (most, yes; all, no). They have varied likes and dislikes, hopes and fears, opinions and values, and they want to be judged for who they are, not by the color of their skin.


3.  They don't disagree with you because you're white, but because they think you're wrong substance and and that doesn't make them racist.

4. They are just as sick and tired of racial division as you are and wonder what to do about it.

5. There are bad eggs among them (you and I have met them), but it's unfair to judge one person by another person's character and not their own.

6.  By and large, they are some really cool people.


  "What do you know", some will say.

  And others, "don't be so naive".

  I may be ignorant and I may be naive, but God is not either.

  He knits us together in our mother's wombs and it is He whom people of every tribe, tongue, and nation will worship at the end of days.

  We are all part of the human family and, if you're a Christian, part of the family of God.

   We are not to pretend that differences between us don't exist, but to slay our pride and our prejudice in favor of the love, compassion, and understanding given by Almighty God.

 For, in the end, the only distinction that will matter is whether or not you are found in Him.

3 comments:

  1. Eric, thank you so much for this wonderful article, a piece with so much truth. Oh how many people I have told, "they are all so different, you cannot judge every member of a group of people by the actions of one or two representatives!" Thank you Eric for this!

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  2. Colors are the differences but not the blood in the veins. Adam and Eve are our parents from the beginning book of Genesis chapter 2. The source of the problem is sin Romans 3:23 found in the New Testament. The cure is Salvation found at the cross. Repentance is a must. All sins is dirty and need to be punished. No excuses will get you to Heaven. Only the death of His Son will do. Grace and Truth met together at the cross. God Bless.

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