If you see them at work or on the street wearing Black know that it’s in support of the rally at Jena. Lambert suggested I post more on the situation but, with the start of the new term I haven’t had time to really sit down and write. I will. The other reason I haven’t posted is the rage. I’ve been trying to get a handle on the response. Between Michael Vick, the police shootings in Chicago, the incident in Jena . . . I’ve been trying to figure out where most of the country lives. The honest reactions of co-workers and blogmates has caused me to sit back and reflect. The naiveté, that is mistaken for callous disinterest, is symptomatic of a larger issue, deeper than race. But the shear level of ignorance about race is mind boggling. America is divided into so many fractured realities. I just never realized how isolating and insular they were. So, I’ve had to take some time and pull back. Collect my thoughts and focus on a new line. But if you see them in black, that’s why. If you’re interested read more here
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Xenophon, We Do Hear You
I personally welcome your rage, although I do understand how unwelcome and hard to live with rage is. I honor your rage, truly.
I look forward to more dialog within the blog on American racism, circa the 21st century. Rage struggling with despair accompanies the notion that we're still struggling against this poison into a new century - and even taking steps backward.
I don't say I understand lightly. I would never claim that having a white skin isn't a barrier to fully understanding that rage, even coming from a liberal family for whom racism was seen as an issue to be acknowledged and fought against. From my earliest memories, it was a personal issue for me, because I had been born into a quasi-integrated world. We had African-American neighbors, friends, associates, as well as Mexican-American ones, and yes Japanese-American ones It took some years for me to understand the lengths to which my parents had to go to provide me with that experience. And that Los Angeles was as segregated a city as any in the south.
As I grew up I did notice the absence of black folks in situation after situation, and I experienced it as an overwhelming loss. My parents encouraged my activism as an antidote to my growing despair and anti-Americanism. When I was in my teens, they helped me organize a weekly picket line in front of a Woolworth's in support of the sit-ins in the South. I only mention this to explain why and how I became a very angry kid, who was often asked by friends and extended-family members why I was soooo angry. The clear message was, "yes, racism is wrong and we should care, but real outrage and anger, however carefully expressed, was over the line.
My answer was always the same. Why aren't you angry? Why aren't you outraged?? This is your country, a democracy belongs to the people, this is being done in your name, to people who have been here longer than you have, who built this country as surely as any white person did, who are your American brothers and sisters. Why aren't you angry?
I have been too silent on this issue, for reasons similar to yours. I hope to be able to change that.
We are proud to have you as a fellow of the mighty Corrente building; I think you know that but I just felt like saying it publicly.
And speaking of group hug
Seriously, Xenophon, I wouldn't have asked you to post unless the posting was something only you could write (goes for everyone, BTW).
We. Are. Going. To. Die. We must restore hope in the world. We must bring forth a new way of living that can sustain the world. Or else it is not just us who will die but everyone. What have we got to lose? Go forth and Fight!—Xan
Thank you
Corrente has been a great place to have the conversation and try and focus past the distortions and static. Due in large part to the folks here thinking seriously and speaking honestly about what they feel.
Meanwhile, I've been watching FED testimony on the funding and policy package that is about to pass . . . Link
It's like gas on a fire.