DragonFlight

I suppose it’s not “patriotic” to mention or even think about it, but I’m sad to admit I’m not quite as proud of America as I used to be, and I don't think I'm alone.

For everything about America that is great, as we enter the 21st century it is a nation still divided by prejudice, bigotry, hatred, and discrimination, all triggered by a mindset which allows people to deny their own insecurities and fear in order to justify a need to find someone to feel better than.

Though greed and the thirst for power (so often driven by that same insecurity) have always been part of the equation, it’s disturbing that a philosophy such as, “it’s okay to screw others as long as there is a good chance you can get away with it,” basically an acceptance of corruption, has become so prevalent in present day society. The corporate mentality of bottom line profit economics and people be damned has certainly played a huge role in encouraging such thinking. Greatness must be earned on a continual basis; it's not just a label to stick on a lapel, like a flag pin.

Our nation is no stranger to all brands of hypocrisy and incongruity, from the aforementioned arena of business and money making, to political "ethics," and right on to religious bigotry and intolerance. For example, the lust for war from those believing themselves followers of Jesus, and the failure to see the contradiction of being pro-life in order to save the unborn while fervently enabling the bombing of so many adults and children under that dubious umbrella of "national security," is ludicrous. Similarly, many professing to believe in liberty and freedom have accepted the suspension of habeas corpus (one of the cornerstones of freedom), illegal wire tapping, and the acceptance of torture, etc., etc.

America was birthed in greatness: the Founding Fathers, the Declaration of Independence, that wonderful document known as The Constitution, and the revolution that created a nation and which finally freed people from the tyrannical restraints of a monarchial world. Even so, I’ve always cringed at the thought of those same Founding Fathers stating that “all men are created equal” while at the same time many of them were slave owners. I’ve heard justifications of this, such as “it was the tradition of the time,” and “it was an agrarian economy that required it,” and so on and so forth. Sorry, Nothing Ever Anywhere justifies slavery! It ranks right at the very top of the list of despicable actions perpetrated by mankind.

I love America, and am grateful I was born and raised here. Fortunately, my parents were educated, liberal minded people, the benefits of which were passed on to me. I grew up viewing the world through the filter of believing others should be treated with respect based on how they themselves thought and acted, and not to prejudge them based on something as arbitrary as the color of their skin, or any other characteristics that were beyond their control.

All that being said, Americans are now faced with another challenge to all their lowest common denominator instincts. Racism, a long time issue that has simmered even after the abolishment of slavery, has suddenly come to the forefront in a whole new way. With the advent of a very viable presidential candidate who happens to be partially Black, the nation is facing a whole new political paradigm. It is one that requires a new open-mindedness which can accept not only the idea of an African-American president, but also demands the understanding that this individual might just carry some racial baggage, and more importantly, so what? There is no way such a person will have been unaffected by growing up in a nation where it was once believed that if a person’s heritage included even a tiny fraction of Black ancestry, they were considered Black and treated as if they were in some way inferior.

Most of us had to think twice after Reverend Wright’s controversial remarks became public; some didn’t even have to expend that much energy. That Barack Obama belonged to a church in which the African-American pastor had some anti-American sentiments based on the historical and present day treatment of African-Americans, and had the audacity to bring it up before a mostly African-American congregation sharing the same experience, shouldn’t be nearly so surprising. Certainly, on an initial gut instinct level some white people are going to experience a tinge of anxiety and doubt as questions flood their minds: Does Obama share all the same feelings as his pastor, his alleged mentor? Will this translate into some kind of legalized reverse discrimination if he becomes our new president? Does he hate us (as some of us have hated them)?

If one takes the time to step back and think rationally for a moment, all this becomes less shocking or threatening. What if Senator Obama does have some feelings of resentment about the treatment of Black people in America? He’d have to be living in a vacuum if he didn’t, and I for one certainly don’t want another clueless and incurious president.

I’m white, and I hold some resentment against white America. As I stated previously, I abhor the very idea of slavery, and I totally resent the countless decades of anti-Black sentiment and discrimination that have so warped, separated, and demeaned everyone in this nation. This is a double whammy for African-Americans; not only have they had to deal with a heritage of slavery, and years of prejudice and demeaning discrimination in all aspects of their lives, after being legally emancipated, they also are expected to take much of the blame for the whole situation by an America that just can’t let it go (perhaps guilt turning on itself).

Why are so many outraged by the resentment of discrimination? How many people of any race or ethnic group in any nation would not feel some anger at being considered secondhand citizens in their own country? Can anyone honestly say they would not? We all carry some sort of baggage from our past, just as do all the current candidates for president. And I want to be clear that these are my own projections; I cannot know what is on anyone else’s mind including Barack Obama’s. I’m just coming to grips with my own acceptance of the process.

The present political climate is as full of unknowns as it is in many ways uncomfortable. I'm beginning to realize that it couldn't be otherwise. The possibility that Barack Obama might carry some racial baggage is natural. That John McCain might hold some bitterness or resentment as a result of being a POW for six years of his youth may very possibly have created some anger deep inside, which at times can rise to the surface. It actually concerns me that McCain, who appears so hawkish, might at times let his emotions trump reason when dealing with “perceived” enemies. Hillary Clinton possibly carries a whole different sort of gender and marital baggage compelling the need for her to prove herself; she might be less than reasonable if anyone gets between her and a perceived goal.

Ultimately, everyone is flawed in some way; it’s the nature of being human. All of us have been affected in one way or another by racism in America, and we all hold baggage as a result. Blaming and fearing Barack Obama for having feelings influenced by racism is as ludicrous as blaming ourselves for also being affected. The real question might be: when will everyone decide enough is enough, and it’s time to move on?

America can be great, a place where people are nurtured by common respect for each other and an innate sense of fairness. Why should anyone or anything be allowed to instigate division of purpose based on fear based insecurities and desire for compensatory power? If people truly wish to be part of a nation with, as Lincoln stated, “a government of the people, by the people, for the people,” they need to accept nothing less. Those very few among us who don’t believe “The People” should have entitlements, while also believing they themselves are naturally entitled to whatever they want by some arbitrary standard of wealth, power and arrogance, should be shown the exit. They, not the vast majority who just want to live and let live regardless of any differences among us, are the real enemies of this nation.

America has long been divided in all manner of ways by those who have always profited by convincing everyone else they should be divided. The Declaration of Independence states that “… all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” When these words transition from text on a document to a motivating force in the hearts and minds of the vast majority of people, this will indeed become a great nation in which pride is justified beyond a reasonable doubt.

Posted by Stephen at 03:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

The March 29 Post “editor for a day” by Professor Gregory Ghica, entitled “How can we have a color blind society in today’s age?” was in my opinion rather one-sided and incomplete. He basically insinuated that the black community in America has pretty much failed to take advantage of all the wonderful advantages offered to them by white society since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “brought the issue of race discrimination in America 50 years ago in his famous speech.” There’s the implication that the black community would be as educated, job secure, motivated, accepted and successful as anyone in America if they had only taken advantage of all that was offered. If only things were so simple and uncomplicated.

Notably, there was no mention of the white communities’ resistance to such change in many places. Professor Ghica states, “We all remember the “School busing;” What a failure that was with the black community adamant against its implementation.” What’s missing is the fact that in many cities across the nation, it was quite often the white community that protested school busing.

In 1964 in Cleveland, while whites were rioting against it, blacks were marching for it.
In June of 1974 at South Boston High, white families responded to mandatory busing both legally and illegally. Their children were urged to boycott classes, and at the end of the day, the buses black children entered to go home were pelted with stones.

Professor Ghica mentions “affirmative action” and college and university minority quotas, but doesn’t tell us that even with a small percentage of people of color benefiting from same, it hardly ended discrimination in the work place, where higher wages and managerial positions still highly favor white males. An online article entitled, “Myths and Facts About Affirmative Action” states, “a Washington Post study shows that 95% of top corporate executives are white males.”

The professor states, “in a reverse discriminatory way” and because of such policies, “the world of sports and entertainment is dominated by blacks.” If this means there are more college level, and ultimately professional level black athletes because many gained access to higher education because of affirmative action, I’d reply “so what?” Considering how sports have helped break down many of the racial barriers that plague our nation, I would consider this a good thing. And, if blacks are indeed dominating in this area, that is a matter of talent. Coaches pick their best players to compete.

As for believing Senator Barack Obama has displayed “hypocrisy and lack of judgment by being a member of a church that promotes hate towards America,” how does this compare with Senator John McCain originally accepting endorsements from both Reverends John Hagee and Rod Parsley, amidst their shameless and opinionated bigotry against other lifestyles and religions? (For more details read, “Wow!!! There’s Racism in America!?!” at http://viewsontheridge.com/dragonflight/)

It’s not surprising that some of the rhetoric in many churches, white or black, is as outrageous as it is not uncommon. We are all exposed to the over zealous opinions of friends, and there are few organizations with opinions as extreme and biased as those based in religion. When a person or organization believes in “Absolutes,” it is quite easy for them to have some angst towards those not interpreting “the word of God” as they do.

I can understand a black preacher who grew up during “the segregation and hatred against his race era” feeling resentful that discrimination, prejudice and bigotry are still alive and well in this nation, despite inadequate attempts to create an even playing field. I’m sure many parishioners listen to such rhetoric because they also hurt inside. But I don’t agree that everyone attending such a church, where Christianity and the love of Jesus were also taught and were most likely the main focus, are going to be hateful people, or that they hate this nation. Many of us have reasons to hate something our government has done at one time or other, or that others have done to us. We can be aware of such emotions without giving in to them. I believe Barack Obama is such an individual.

When I look at the damage done to this nation in the last seven years by an Administration and Congress governing with disdain, incompetence and self-interest, I witness the real hatred we should be focused on. These people who would interpret the Constitution to suit themselves, and consider the needs of society and the citizenry as secondary, are the people who really hate America, though they continue to expound that the opposite is true at every opportunity.

Posted by Stephen at 04:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (18) | TrackBacks (0)