When we minimize race and racism, and avoid talking about it, its presence, and its real and present impact, we devalue the people who experience it and silence them into accepting the unacceptable. A few weeks ago my older Brother texted me on his break--a very unusual thing for him to do during the course of his very busy day. He works for a well known shipping company and was doing his regular round of deliveries. He came upon a house, in our home city of Richmond, VA where we all grew up and where our Family has been for many generations--since the days of slavery. On this delivery, he was faced with carrying a very large and heavy package to the door of this one home, and upon seeing the door opened by a young woman and another who appeared to be her elder Grandma of at least 80 years old, he offered to bring the package inside for them and to place it closest to where they planned to open it. His kind gesture--something he would offer anyone under the circumstances, was quickly thwarted when the 80 year old woman said, No. Leave it there (on the sidewalk). I dont want his kind coming into my house. Imagine my Brothers mind and heart in that moment...rest there for a minute... He left the package, and as the Granddaughter signed for it, he noticed the look of shame on her face for what her Grandmother had said...but that was all. No apology... He left, and at some point, he texted me to tell me what had happened...and I ached--probably more than he did, for we have experienced many of these incidents in our lifetime growing up in the capital of the Confederacy, and he more than his fair share as a Black Man of strong stature and deep mahogany hue. In high school and in the military--Marines to be exact where he served for 4 years--words like these and even more vile were thrown around and rarely corrected with discipline by the proper authorities. Opportunities were not extended freely, and special favors were not extended to him as they were to others. At times he fought to honor his own dignity, and in most cases he ignored it like our elders told us to do. Ignore it and move on, keeping our eyes on a greater prize. He would do the same on this day---just a couple weeks ago---ignore it and keep moving. But it bothers you--not because you believe or internalize the ignorance spewed at you, but because another human being has the audacity to thrust their ignorance and hate upon you and your kind. They have no right. Yet--they do it. There are countless numbers of people walking among us in this society who carry and perpetuate hate and division, who through their narrow mindsets and poisoned hearts (sadly passed down in most cases by loved ones and authority figures), perpetuate systems and structures that block and deter progress and peace for others. This is one small example on a person-to-person level of how this looks, but it translates too to how systems often work--systems run by people with particular mindsets and attitudes about others. There are consequences to this behavior and, systemically, the results are disparities, gaps, arrested development, inequality. Whether it happens one-on-one or systemically, racism, discrimination, bias, and exclusionary behaviors and practices must be rooted out. Until they are, the gaps and disparities we continue to mull over will remain in place. And good, honest, hardworking people like my Brother will be faced with ignorance and barriers in trying to offer their best to the world. This is an unjust burden...yet we persevere and prevail. My Brother will be ok. He can handle it, though he shouldt have to. But our Children--the current/next generation, deserve a better world to grow up and come of age in. Will we deliver this to them, or will be continue to accept the unacceptable? How are you standing up against racism, discrimination, and bias in your sphere of influence? How are you promoting equality of opportunity, fairness, and justice in your family, community, company, or organization? How are you challenging even you most revered loved ones to check their attitudes and to adjust their mindset about others, whoever those others may be?
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 23:09:44 +0000
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