I ran across a slideshow called "A Critical Look at White Supremacy". It contains pictures of Nazis, Neo-Nazis, Klansmen, and members of the Aryan Nation. As I looked at the pictures I experienced a variety of emotions: surreal awe at the pictures of a Nazi "baby farm", condescension at the low-class Klansmen, fear and rage.
When I see their swastikas, shaved heads, and flags in parade, I am affected. I am afraid. If that's the result they're hoping for they have succeeded...even in still photographs...even 51 years later. I'm horrified at their hatred and the fact that they revel in it.
Right after that I get angry. I feel like burning their flags. I feel like taking their kids away. Stop the cancer. And that bothers me. It bothers me that I respond to their hatred with hatred. It may be natural, and my anger may be justified, but it's not right.
But the thought of responding to racism with anything other than indignation also seems wrong.
For instance what if I observed the Rwanda genocide or the Nazi Holocaust and was unaffected. What would that say about me? Is the only acceptable response love? Love of what? Love for whom? I find it very difficult to love someone preaching hate.
How did our world ever raise a Martin Luther King, or a Mohatma Gandhi?
7 years ago
3 comments:
ezedwnThese images certainly are unsettling. A few things I think should be mentioned in reguard to the Aryan Nation, Klan and Mighty Whiteys: Rarely, one on one, is their hatred evident. It's more a cowardice mob mentality. This attitude demonstrates itself, to me anyway, their individual sense of fear and lack of pride in what they actually say they profess and believe. Whenever the "colours" are flying, it's on mass and in your face. None of these cowards would ever have a Swastika Flag on their desk at work or a "I hate Niggers" bumper sticker on their vehicle. They need the backing of many because they simply know they are outnumbered and wrong. I am a follower of Jesus, anyone that knows me, knows it. I don't hide the fact of my allegience to him.Even my blog reveals this truth.
Many of these lunatics call themselves Christian. That is, a follower of Jesus Christ.The Jesus of the Bible. Jesus said nothing positive about a ruling (white) class or race...EVER. He promoted and demonstrated unconditional love...to death. His personal death. Whether or not you beleive in Christ or hold the Bible as true is not the issue, they, the KKK and Aryans, DO profess faith in Jesus. I don't know how they miss the very clear directive of Christ: Love God, love your neibour. Everything in the Bible hangs on these two precepts. Jesus said that himself!
Another issue is in relation to Jesus too. Jesus was not a white, blue-eyed blonde. He looked more like Osama Bin Ladden than Western art portrays. He was born in the Middle East!! How do these Whiteys pledge allegiance to a person of colour?
Now, allow me to comment on your personal response to what you saw.
If you ever come across an action or attitude so full of hate and feel nothing, please get some professional help and pray hard. The moment a human becomes disinterested or desensitized to violence, is the begining of his end.
We must never act out violently, but at the same time, we mustn't stand by and allow this cancer to grow. Whenever safely possible, (personally, I'm not worried about "safety") we must shine some good, strong light on this darkness and make it disappear.
Bless Ya!!
good post. it's good that you can question yourself. as for lunatics calling themselves Christian, you should read "american fascists: the christian right and the war on america" by chris hedges.
you should go to the amnesty international site and see what's been going on in honduras since 98. it's pretty frightening.
Welcome back, Shasta! I miss you
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