America has a problem dealing with race; That's not an aspect of
the issue that requires debate. But more pressing that the specifics
of race (yes, really) is the method America uses to address and
handle all of its problems;
We don't.
The grand American tradition is to ignore what is in front of us
(the uncomfortable, squirmy, yucky underbelly of problems!)
and deny their very existence. We just repeat this practice until
all of our anger and resentment and crazy has built itself into a
fever pitch and EXPLODES!
And then--and only then--we'll talk about it. Oh, we'll sit around
and say our piece and react and stomp feet and cry out. Each of
us adding our two cents to an issue the majority didn't even
acknowledge less than a 24-hour news cycle before-hand.
We will talk rings around it, because there surely is one
unifying force in effect in this country: We all love to hear
ourselves talk. The listening? Notsomuch. But we can run that
mouth like we're getting paid by the syllable. And then, just as
quickly as the conversation began--it ends.
Now, those of us who were always affected by whatever the
issue du jour was still have to deal with it in its gory entirety;
whether it's Flint citizens unable to drink or bathe because of
still-unfixed toxic water, a mother whose only son was murdered
by the people sworn to protect him, a child who just heard the
ersatz leader of his country say 'white supremacists' aren't so
bad, and so on.
We still have to face the weight of situations that could have
been long-ago addressed and resolved, or at least improved.
You know--if addressing and fixing was something we actually
did here.
Republicans have been adamant about fostering the notion that
race is not the issue folks are claiming it is. Ignoring their own
gerrymandering, voter suppression through illegal voting laws
(Texas found guilty again just this last week,) and propping up
institutionalized racism, they seem hell-bent on either white-
washing reality or keeping blinders on. I'll give them credit for
being smart enough to simply be evil and corrupt. But I may
be wrong--they might just be elitist and ignorant.
Today, Rick Santorum and Virginia's Scott Taylor won the
title of "Most Entitled White Dudes Ever" for their joint
appearance on Jake Tapper's show. They audaciously
contended that race does not play a part in the problems
people face outside of what's caused by the hate-speech
(and presumably hate-attacks) perpetrated by Nazis and
'white supremacists' (I can't even write that phrase without
getting nauseous.)
Translation: 'The whole nation is in favor of hating Nazis
this week, so for political expediency we'll break with our
nationalist, racist platforms and party to stand behind that
idea--but don't push it asking us to come clean on the other
harmful ideologies we support.'
There can be no healing of a problem until there is an open
and honest addressing of a problem. And the idea of coming
clean about our secrets, our lies, our troubling past, and our
crimes does not seem to be on any politician's 'to-do list.'
So we scream at the TV, shake our heads at apathetic
politicians, stew over the clown that stole our highest office,
and we wonder what will happen as a result of the continued
avoidance?
In the meantime, I say we do what we can; Follow our own
hearts and minds. We don't have to follow suit and be quiet
just because the men with the most to lose are running scared.
Call them out.
Speak the Truth.
Hold them accountable.
Make strides to have real talk with friends, neighbors, even
strangers.
I have started more conversations with people in stores, waiting
in lines, passing on the street...striving to make connection and
experience some realness in the midst of a crucial time in this
country. We all need to know that we're not alone in this fight
right now.
So don't be discouraged by a lack of leadership. Determine to step
up and provide it yourself, wherever you are and however you can.
We know from experience that one person can make a difference.
Just today we learned of the passing of a great man--Dick Gregory--
who made strides and changes in this old world by refusing to
accept things the way they are, and daring to reach out for better.
Let's take that example and run with it--all the way into the
bright light of day. America has a problem with fear of exposure,
and the only way to get over it is to shine that light.
"This little light of mine--I'm gonna let it shine."
the issue that requires debate. But more pressing that the specifics
of race (yes, really) is the method America uses to address and
handle all of its problems;
We don't.
The grand American tradition is to ignore what is in front of us
(the uncomfortable, squirmy, yucky underbelly of problems!)
and deny their very existence. We just repeat this practice until
all of our anger and resentment and crazy has built itself into a
fever pitch and EXPLODES!
And then--and only then--we'll talk about it. Oh, we'll sit around
and say our piece and react and stomp feet and cry out. Each of
us adding our two cents to an issue the majority didn't even
acknowledge less than a 24-hour news cycle before-hand.
We will talk rings around it, because there surely is one
unifying force in effect in this country: We all love to hear
ourselves talk. The listening? Notsomuch. But we can run that
mouth like we're getting paid by the syllable. And then, just as
quickly as the conversation began--it ends.
Now, those of us who were always affected by whatever the
issue du jour was still have to deal with it in its gory entirety;
whether it's Flint citizens unable to drink or bathe because of
still-unfixed toxic water, a mother whose only son was murdered
by the people sworn to protect him, a child who just heard the
ersatz leader of his country say 'white supremacists' aren't so
bad, and so on.
We still have to face the weight of situations that could have
been long-ago addressed and resolved, or at least improved.
You know--if addressing and fixing was something we actually
did here.
Republicans have been adamant about fostering the notion that
race is not the issue folks are claiming it is. Ignoring their own
gerrymandering, voter suppression through illegal voting laws
(Texas found guilty again just this last week,) and propping up
institutionalized racism, they seem hell-bent on either white-
washing reality or keeping blinders on. I'll give them credit for
being smart enough to simply be evil and corrupt. But I may
be wrong--they might just be elitist and ignorant.
Today, Rick Santorum and Virginia's Scott Taylor won the
title of "Most Entitled White Dudes Ever" for their joint
appearance on Jake Tapper's show. They audaciously
contended that race does not play a part in the problems
people face outside of what's caused by the hate-speech
(and presumably hate-attacks) perpetrated by Nazis and
'white supremacists' (I can't even write that phrase without
getting nauseous.)
Translation: 'The whole nation is in favor of hating Nazis
this week, so for political expediency we'll break with our
nationalist, racist platforms and party to stand behind that
idea--but don't push it asking us to come clean on the other
harmful ideologies we support.'
There can be no healing of a problem until there is an open
and honest addressing of a problem. And the idea of coming
clean about our secrets, our lies, our troubling past, and our
crimes does not seem to be on any politician's 'to-do list.'
So we scream at the TV, shake our heads at apathetic
politicians, stew over the clown that stole our highest office,
and we wonder what will happen as a result of the continued
avoidance?
In the meantime, I say we do what we can; Follow our own
hearts and minds. We don't have to follow suit and be quiet
just because the men with the most to lose are running scared.
Call them out.
Speak the Truth.
Hold them accountable.
Make strides to have real talk with friends, neighbors, even
strangers.
I have started more conversations with people in stores, waiting
in lines, passing on the street...striving to make connection and
experience some realness in the midst of a crucial time in this
country. We all need to know that we're not alone in this fight
right now.
So don't be discouraged by a lack of leadership. Determine to step
up and provide it yourself, wherever you are and however you can.
We know from experience that one person can make a difference.
Just today we learned of the passing of a great man--Dick Gregory--
who made strides and changes in this old world by refusing to
accept things the way they are, and daring to reach out for better.
Let's take that example and run with it--all the way into the
bright light of day. America has a problem with fear of exposure,
and the only way to get over it is to shine that light.
"This little light of mine--I'm gonna let it shine."
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