Dr. Cornel West, the Harvard University professor, got it right then when he authored the book "Race Matters". I mean that he got it right when in the 1990's he pointed out in his book that race did matter. As we are finding out, race still matters in America.
Geraldine Ferraro said that the only reason that Barack is where he is today is because he is a black man. SHE WAS SAYING THAT RACE MATTERS.
Barack is being condemned for something his pastor said six years ago, partially because RACE MATTERS. If you can, tell me the name of any previous presidential candidates pastor. You probably can't, because no one was ever concerned about what someones pastor was saying before.
I personally disagree with many of the conclusions that Dr. Jeremiah Wright draws from things, but I also understand that his viewpoint comes from a personal history and experience that is much different then mine.
Dr. Wright said what he said from his perspective. Why would his perspective cause him to see things that way?
Michelle Obama also said things from her perspective. Why would she feel the way that she does?
One thing that many people like about Barack is that he is running on a platform of substance and not on race. But RACE MATTERS. So race keeps coming up, even though Barack does not bring it up. Why? Barack is still a black man in America. And in America, RACE MATTERS.
Personally, I am glad that we as a nation are continuing to dialogue about race. We need to talk to each other. We need to listen to each other. We need to try to understand each other instead of immediately reacting and disagreeing.
I am constantly amazed by the number of intelligent white Americans (most often conservatives) who are so ignorant about the issue of race.
One reason that RACE MATTERS is that for our nations entire history we have practiced injustice against certain of our citizens based on race. Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino Americans, and most everyone who is not European has been treated unfairly throughout our history because of race. And we don't want to talk about that fact.
My hope is that Americans would seek to understand each other. That they would listen to people of different races when they talk and try to understand why they are saying what they are saying. That white Americans would quit talking only to other white Americans about race. No wonder so many don't get it. That people of color in our country would be listened to and then in turn seek to dialogue on issues of race.
What do you think? Is race still an issue in America? Do you think Barack has a chance of winning the presidency? How do you motivate people to talk and listen and discuss race with people who are not like them? How can the church encourage this dialogue and true justice?
5 comments:
...his viewpoint comes from a personal history and experience that is much different then mine.
Does that make what he says any closer to the truth?
I guess part of my point Ryan is that so often people just want to win arguments and this is a barrier to real understanding of where people are coming from.
Even if someone states something that we believe to be untrue, it is often helpful to ask, "Why do they feel like that?"
But many people would rather be right, then actually move towards authentic understanding and relationship.
This is why Barack publicly stated that he disagreed with Dr. Wright's statements, but he also said that those things did not represent the pastor that he has known for all of those years.
The conservative media tries to make Jeremiah Wright sound like a flaming racist by just showing us a snapshot of who he is.
Even if someone states something that we believe to be untrue, it is often helpful to ask, "Why do they feel like that?"
Agreed.
Speaking of this topic, good speech today, eh?
I read an article about it which contained some quotes, but did not hear it. It was made to sound good from what I read. I would like to hear or at least read the whole thing.
Great post Kevin! You sound like Barack! How do we motivate people to talk and listen and discuss race with people who are not like them? You're doing it!!
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