Yesterday, I sought out clarity and understanding of an issue.
Today, I want to pass along what my venture has taught me and what I pledge to do from this day forward as a result.
In hoping to have a discussion, I was sent a link to Google images of horrible atrocities.
In sending a private email asking for insight and opinions, I was told that is what us white folks always want to do.
In asking to help educate and open minds, I was told that educating and opening minds wasn't part of the deal.
Racism and bigotry are issues that have always struck a chord with me. That's what happens when you're the white kid who grew up loving hip hop, hung out in a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities and was nicknamed "United Nations" by his old man for being so accepting of everyone, no matter the skin tone.
I do not tolerate either and do not understand those who do. We no longer live in a time where "that's the way they were raised" can be used as an excuse, not that it should have been in the first place.
I also do not understand being bound to the past beyond the point of moving forward. The sins of the father do not always fall to the son and the ills of the father work the same way. At some point, history and the past must simply be that; remember it, swear to never repeat it and work towards the future. The future is what we can control and change and influence. That should be our focus.
Yesterday, part of one of the comments nearly brought me to tears:
If you've had thousands of your people killed and burned while White offspring laugh and smile at the feet of their murderous fathers, then you would totally understand. Slave ships traveled to and fro for 200 years. Two thirds of Africans died on each trip. Do the math.These are the images burned in our memories from birth and where the majority of our distrust for Whites is grounded.
That shit is sick! It's fucking disgusting and an entire race should be ashamed that their grandfathers, brothers, uncles, neighbors, priests and presidents basically authenticated DEATH with no action!
I am not ashamed of who I am, nor do I feel I should be. Slavery and the atrocities committed during those times were not committed by each and every white person. I am as sickened by the pictures linked to me in the comment as anyone with any moral fiber should be, but I am not responsible for those sins. Please don't judge me as such. Doing so is as mistake and a missed opportunity.
I saw yesterday as an opportunity, to open a line of discussion on a topic that is of the utmost importance in our world. Instead of discussing the random, unimportant topics that are usually featured here, I wanted to do something I think is important - educate.
It's not my job or any other Black person to educate Whites on what is right and wrong to say.
Get a fucking book and educate yourselves instead of focusing on yourselves and yourselves only.
No one else in this country does this. We know more about Whites than they know about themselves because we are forced to know.
My question is this:
Why not you? Or me? Or anyone?There isn't any rule that says you can't help someone grow and become a better person. This isn't about black or white, it is about educating, understanding, learning, growing and becoming a better world.
For me, the future is what is most important. It is the world in which my children will live and grown and learn. I cannot change the things that have happened before my time, but I can educate myself, my children and anyone else who wants to listen to where we have been, where we are and where we can go.
Education and communication are the answer.
I refuse to stand in the past and not be a part of building a better future, for everyone.
My world is colour blind.
I only hope that yours is too.
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