I had a conversation about race today. Always a delicate subject...
A black co-worker was talking about a Virginia congressman who said black people need to "get over slavery". As you can imagine this sparked some controversy.
"Look." I said, "I didn't hear the comment, but I kind of agree."
Before anyone calls me a racist...
I feel many people get a raw deal in this life. Growing up in slums (whatever your race) limits your opportunities. America needs more social reform. We need more scholarships and grants. But I don't think it has to do with slavery--it has to do with humanitarianism.
If your understanding of the world is that it owes you something, or that your race was wronged in the past, and it becomes a cultural mythos...I don't think you can progress as a race. Taken to the extreme you have Bosnia or Rwanda. In the West there are at least 3-4 ethnicities who feel Europe has wronged them, either through slavery or by the fact that Columbus discovered America. Some of them feel they deserve reparations.
My friend, a very honest person, admitted: "Yes. Some of my relatives feel they are entitled to something."
Another friend asked: "If you don't mind my asking, what do they feel they are entitled to? What would pay the debt?"
She shrugged, "Freed slaves were promised forty acres and a mule" (Though she didn't suggest this as if she agreed with it). So I submit that question. What do you feel you are entitled to? Christopher Columbus landed in 1492 and subjugated the American Indians. Some Africans enslaved other Africans and sold them to white slavers, who brought them to America. That is atrocious.
But now what?
7 years ago
1 comments:
I would also like to know to what they think they are entitled. If I went around wanting to collect on every injustice my family or myself had incured, I think most everyone would owe me something. Phee, I agree with the statement, some do need to get over slavery. There are no more slaves in the U.S. and any who were at one point are now dead. We need to be civil with each other and quit thinking that we are all entitled to something. I say we are entitled to what we had when we came to this world, no posessions, just innocence and love. I say somewhat sarcastically, "can't we all just get along?"
I personally don't care if a person is blue, red, green, or has polka-dots. I will treat them the same. I may not get along with every person on God's green earth, but I can at least respect each person as one of God's children. Don't we all deserve that respect?
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