I have a question that has been on mind for quite awhile. I am attending an African American Religious History class where the subject of race seems to give an advantage to generations after the slavery days. Basically asking if it is ok to hold a grudge against white people for enslaving Africans, later converted to Blacks or African Americans, how long is that grudge socially acceptable for both parties. It has been over a hundred years since the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865 and there are still hate crimes, lynching comments, and injustice being done and on the other hand racist comments fly through the air like a fishing rod, any white person in the "hood" goes down, and blacks can never become educated enough to try to compare to the white person they "hate" because they have so much hatred against a generation who was not involved in their ancestrial issues. Who says when it is enough hate going on around the world? Who says when the last word has been drawn? Who is in control of blacks killing off blacks, whites imprisoning blacks, and blacks killing off whites for so called " discrimination or disruption of peace?" How much longer does it take to realize this world will stop spinning and everything in it will go down when we allow everything through the constitution to be acceptable?
I wonder if I am the only one who thinks like this? Am I wrong for thinking that more communication and cooperation needs to be exchanged between the blacks, whites, and mexicans and anyone else who does not fit the American standard of looks, smarts, and citizenship?
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You're certainly not wrong! It does seem that most people are unaware of the effects of their actions; everybody is on top of each other for "discriminating" or asking for some sort of reparations, holding grudges against people reasons based on historical events, etc., and behave to reach the end of seeking some sort of revenge or so-called truce. As history tells us, though, one extreme action seems to lead to extreme action on the other side, rarely falling into a sort of balance.
ReplyDeleteThis balance can be achieved through what you mention as improved communication and cooperation. People need to realize that hatred is narrow-minded and doesn't lead anywhere, throwing these conflicts back into the perpetual cycle of one side fighting another. Education is one way I think will lead people to this, particularly being aware of historical actions and what has resulted from the extreme viewpoints of hatred and reductionist views. (Wouldn't it be great if everyone was an anthropologist? Teehee...) In addition, religious sects should focus less on the differences among groups but more on what they all share: all common religions--at the core--preach tolerance, respect, and awareness. In some ways I think that all of this is like a game: we win when people realize that everything is complicated and interconnected, and that we are all human beings living on the earth! Maybe not as idealistic as that perhaps, but you get the idea. :)
I found this post to be very interesting because the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and supposed equality and freedom are the backbone of the United States of America. However, America is a nation made up of human beings, and we are not perfect. Past mistakes have supposedly been corrected and repaired by amendments to our prized and idealized legal document that guarantees and protects our freedoms (supposedly). But not all mistakes can be rectified with a few paragraphs of legalese and signatures of ratification. The frustration that such grave mistakes creates will only intensify over time if the people wronged do not feel that they have been properly "reimbursed".
ReplyDeleteUntil this cycle is understood, dialogue will not be as effective as it eventually could be. Otherwise, the blame game will continue and as more people come to this country there will only be more frustrated players.
Preliminary dialogue will be necessary for us to even get to the point of true progress. With information becoming more available the younger and future generations have the ability to become better informed and possibly make up for past mistakes. Joanna's idea about religious groups opening dialogue appeals to me, but I worry about religion possibly being a dividing point for some people. However, she has at least offered us a starting point. Education, as Joanna pointed out, may help us solved the looming question that Mareayna was kind enough to raise. Education leads to critical thinking, then discussion, and after some productive communication then maybe progress with this issue can be achieved.