In this blog I'm going to talk about the race issue. I was born on the day President Eisenhower was sworn into office-which tells my age, 66. For as long as I can remember the problem of race in this country has been on the forefront of the news, the violence, the undercurrent of tension and unrest, a lot of lying and undermining and a lot of people getting hurt and killed on both sides of the fence. I grew up watching the riots in the streets in cities far away from me-but brought it into my life and school on a daily basis. My parents and family were not racist, I'm not, but from my earliest years it's been an ongoing topic and accusation that we've watched perpetrated on many of us who have no bias toward any other race. I've found how easy it is to get caught in the middle of someone else's arguments and disagreements, when you've had nothing to do with it. Now, at this stage of life, I find the situation in this country is no better really, but the direction of the accusations has changed in a subtle manner that isn't surprising, but is troubling.
I was born into a white family of Irish, Scottish descent. I had nothing to say about it, was given no choice in the matter. My parents taught us to treat all people alike, and respect everyone, regardless of their race or skin color, or how much money they may, or may not have. My mother read the bible to us, taught us the meaning of forgiveness and the Sermon on the Mount, but not to let other's demean us. We were taught all people were equal in God's eyes, and we must treat them that way. However, over my lifetime I've come to learn how precious this quality of character is, and how easy it is to be falsely accused in this world, because hatred and bigotry corrupts everything, and many people's hearts.
As a little girl, I watched and listened to the many speeches and marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the violence that it sparked around the country. I'd ask my parents questions about what it was all about and they'd tell me of the mistreatment many of the black people were dealing with in the south and big cities. That they weren't being treated with the same equality as white people, and they were marching and gathering in non violent meetings to bring change for their people, and the same freedoms we had. The teachers in school also brought these subjects out to us, and there were many discussions about the conflicts the black people were in, but they weren't the only group in this country going through this; just one of the most outspoken. The Native Americans, who were here long before any of us, were still dealing with their long standing mistreatment, and abuses, that I'll get back to later.
Personally, my stand is this-I do not care if you are black, white, red, or brown, your skin color makes no difference to me. What matters to me is what comes out of your mouth, and what you do. The words you speak tells me what kind of person you are, they reveal your character. Jesus had this to say on this subject:
Mat 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Mat 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Mat 15:10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
Mat 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Along with these words from the Lord, it's what a person does along with what he says that makes the persons character. Do they do what they say, are they honest in their daily life, do they keep their word. Do they intentionally use their mouth to destroy someone else-simply because they may not agree with them, or like them. This is what makes up a person, and reveals their character. It's whats under the skin that makes the difference, not the color of it.
On the day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his speech "I Have A Dream" at Washington D.C., I sat with the rest of my class in school and watched it on a TV brought in by our teacher. For the rest of the day, this was the subject and we were given a detailed overview of how this was showing the necessity of bringing change to the U.S., and equality for the black race. At 11 years old, I understood it perfectly, and do to this day. Below are some notable quotes Dr. King has spoken, that are worthy of serious thought, along with some images, in his honor, as well as some other black men and women who worked for the freedom of their people.
“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
“The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals.”
“Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.”
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
I would just add: It would do many of the black people well, to do some reading and studying of this mans life and his words, and put them into practice.
However, I'm going to bring out some points that disturb me because of the changes in the culture of this country that I've seen in fifty years since that time.
1. Many of the blacks in this country are good hard working people, honest and make no distinction between people-but there's some who seem to be stuck in the past and use race as an excuse for their own failures, and inability to move out of their impoverished situation. All races have these kind of individuals, but in these cases; I hear them using race as the reasons for their problems, when the real reason is their own individual life choices, and the consequences their living in because of them. In reading the life of Booker T. Washington, I saw a man who decided to take the high road, and take personal responsibility for his own life and choices, and it paid off well for him. You'd find his life very inspiring.
2. Today, there is a great deal of labeling of people, and false accusations made on innocent people-and I'll say it because it's true, of many white people who have nothing to do with the race problems, but are getting accused of being racist-because they won't get caught up in this competitive culture that tells us we have to constantly "prove" we AREN'T racist. It's the mindset of the politician who has to be seen kissing babies, and hugging old people-to prove he has a compassionate heart-whether he really does or not. It's a game, smoke and mirrors, an illusion.
3. To be an American used to include the meaning of being an individual, someone who had the right to think for themselves, and be given the freedom to achieve as much as they may-by their own industrious work, ability to achieve, and their own character. A measure of this is still here-but it has changed in a dangerous way also. Now, everyone has to be willing to mold themselves in a "community", and allow people we may not agree with, or like to have persuasion on our personal choices and everyday life. If someone doesn't agree with this socialist mindset, you can find the "community" turning into a mob. When this happens, that's when people's actions turn ugly, and the results are violence. In fifty years, I've seen no change in this pattern, and see a disturbing trend that stems from one major problem as far as I'm concerned-the lack of a person-whether your black, brown, red, or white-of taking personal responsibility for our actions, and allowing hatred and prejudice to poison our minds, and ultimately our actions.
I may not agree with your religion, your way of living, or your personal choices-but I give you the perfect freedom to choose them all, because it's your God given right as an individual created by God-and it's only Him you will give an account to one day, not me. I may share the Gospel with you, and hope the light of it's truth will reach your heart, and you'll allow Christ in your heart and life, in hopes you will gain eternal life in heaven. But, I also give you the right to refuse, and live as you wish. Jesus never forced anyone to follow him, he's seeking people who follow Him because they realize who He is, and love him, not because their forced to.
I read the history of Chief Joseph, Sitting Bull, The Trail of Tears, and the life of many other Tribal leaders. Then I read Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee. By the time I finished reading this book, I was ashamed to call myself a white person. I've prayed many times for God to bring the light of the truth of who Jesus Christ is to these people-even through the horrendous slaughter, abuse and hypocrisy that my people inflicted on them. Jesus is a God of miracles, but I can see the monumental task He has now, because of so much of our own barbaric treatment of them. I'm not going to go into great detail about these events, only encourage you to do your own, it will sicken you. Every single treaty the Indians signed with this government-has been broken. Every one.
Deu 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Rom 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
As I continue to observe the changes taking place in this country, it's with the same sadness that Chief Joseph, and Sitting Bull had in their day. They saw the end of the freedoms of their peoples-and I believe I'm seeing an end of an America that was portrayed to us as we grew up in the twentieth century. The more I've studied and researched the history of this land, the more I see that much of it was an illusion created by people with noble aspirations, but just as we do today-omitted what they didn't want seen in order to paint a picture that they wanted to call reality. America has formed it's own system of propaganda, and it takes a great deal of time and effort to come to actually knowing the truth on any given subject today. But, the truth is there-and it is worth the effort. I'd rather know the truth than live a lie, in any form.
So, this blog is my answer to anyone who may have labeled me racist. Your wrong, plain and simple. But, I'm not going to get into doing a song and dance to prove it to anyone. I'm not going to kiss babies, hug old people, make great efforts to prove I'm not racist against blacks, Mexicans, Chinese, or anybody else. You'll just have to believe me, take me at my word, or go on with being wrong, it's your choice. I'm too old, and live in a very rural area, and have no desire to put great miles on my vehicle to be seen and have pictures taken of me with groups of multi raced peoples, to post on Facebook to prove to the world I'm multi-cultural. These games are for those who have given themselves over to the "mob", and lost their courage to be themselves, with nothing to prove. I'm not one of them. I agree with and stand with what I think is one of Chief Joseph's best quotes, that I'll leave below.
Lorna