I don't pay much attention
to the sensationalized news stories which are splashed across our TV screens. I
am encouraged that my favorite white TV personalities are giving so many
intelligent, capable black leaders extended time to discuss not only what is
wrong with our country but to offer answers & solutions.
First of all, we have to
understand that "white privilege" is real. The huge majority of white
people haven't personally done anything to cause it. Rather by virtue of the
fact that we are treated differently than black people simply because of our race is something that has
been going on in the United
States since its inception. The common cry
this time is that we need to do something to stop it. I certainly haven't wanted
to believe it but I am learning to accept that racism is still, STILL, a major
problem in our country centuries later.
I've been watching Jimmy
Fallon this week who did an informative show from home this past Monday talking
to Derrick Johnson, president & CEO of the NAACP, and Don Lemon of CNN.
Jimmy Fallon had been advised to simply ignore the recent controversy over a
blackface skit on Saturday Night Live twenty years ago that resurfaced & just let it die down.
Then the killing of George Floyd happened with all the riots & Fallon made
the decision to not listen to that advice. He instead made a heartfelt apology
& gave the floor to Johnson who praised him for not staying quiet & shared some good thoughts & insights. Including that we all need to continue the conversations & listen to each other.
Ellen deGeneres has been
doing her show from home & has spent
all week discussing the issues with influential black people. Notably Keisha
Lance Bottoms, mayor of Atlanta , & Val
Demmings, Florida
congresswoman, gave impassioned pleas for change. Both Fallon & deGeneres
have stressed that white people need to change & be instrumental in
demanding that our government needs to change.
Several black leaders have
addressed the fact that everyone, black & white, needs to be able to make a
mistake & not be crucified for that error. We are all human, we will make
mistakes. But the goal is to learn from that mistake, make changes & move
forward. In the meantime, let's be kinder to each other & allow them to
falter. But let's also then listen to each other then show some empathy & respect toward
our fellow Americans. We are all going to say or do the wrong thing sometimes.
This past week, our longtime Sacramento
Kings announcer made a social media gaffe which cost him his job. He replied
that "All Lives Matter" to a post of "Black Lives Matter"
by a former player. Being the mother of a 44 year old white male, I didn't see
the problem of that statement since my son's life matters just as much. BUT I
learned a different perspective on those statements over the past few days . My
son explained that if you say, "Save the Whales" & someone
responds "Save All Sea Creatures", the message is yes, that is true, but right now, the whales need more help from us. It isn't an either/or
statement.
Yesterday I saw photos of a young
black girl holding a sign that read, "We Didn't Say ONLY Black Lives
Matter." I get it now. Thanks for the education. Black Lives Matter.
Listening to an array of
black leaders this past week, it is clear that no one is endorsing the rioting
& looting & violence against others. I believe those people are a tiny
minority who just want to destroy property, steal & cause mayhem. The huge
majority of people are trying to continue the peaceful protests of Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. They made huge strides back in the 1960s & now it is time
to make huge strides again. This time with ALL white people & ALL black
people working together.
So what can we do? Derrick
Johnson of the NAACP suggested that every white person make a new black friend.
Then talk & listen to each other. That is excellent advice. Once the Covid-19
restrictions are lifted, I intend to do that. We can work in our own
communities to change the laws governing the police. I still believe that the
huge majority of police officers want to make our cities safer without using
unnecessary violence.
The common thread that I've
heard from black leaders is for white people to truly listen, with an open
mind, to what the black experience is in our country. Years ago I saw a former
NFL wide receiver on TV. He was tall, extremely handsome, well-groomed & well-spoken.
He lives in a nice part of town & drives a Mercedes. He said, "Not a
week goes by that I don't pass a white woman on the street that she doesn't
take her purse & hug it close to her body." I don't know the answer to
stop this behavior but I know that we have to listen, accept our different experiences & unite as a country
of concerned Americans who want to make this nation strong & welcoming for
every citizen!
I will close with another
common theme during this past week expressed by every one of the people I
mentioned. We have no leadership in our country. Our president is a narcissist who is incapable of bringing this country together. WE
MUST, WE MUST go to the polls (or mail in our ballots) & vote this man out
of office. I could resort to all kinds of denigration & name calling
but he isn't worth the effort. Instead let me leave you with a few quotes
regarding Trump's leadership:
"We have a president
who isn't capable of performing the job & doesn't understand the job. He
doesn't talk like a leader, he talks like a dictator," Kamala Harris, U.S.
Senator.
"America is a tinderbox & his tongue is a
match," Keisha Lance Bottoms, Atlanta
mayor.
"He is a dictator in
waiting & a threat to democracy. He is dangerous," Val Demmings, Florida congresswoman.
"His approval rating is
plummeting. He can go for 100% disapproval & take credit for uniting the
country," Jimmy Fallon. Just because we still need to laugh or we will be
crying.
If you want to listen to any
of these interviews they can be seen on YouTube. Search for the name & the show on which they appeared. Example: "Kamala Harris on Jimmy Fallon" or "Val Demmings on
Ellen".
Thank you Kathy! Your courage to look inward and forward is the fuel that will drive out the plague of white racisim in America. White racism is a disease that white folk need to address and heal. That's where we have power. This cancer is systemic, infecting every fiber of society. Paying attention to the small violations creates a momentum that will help to crush and end the big violations. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteYes, you are so right! I read an account tonight of five protesters (3 black, 1 Hispanic & 1 white) who formed a shield around a white police officer who was stranded behind a group of angry protesters in Louisville. The police officer was afraid but he was protected by the group of five until help arrived. The officer had backed up against a pizza place to keep his back safe. The officer said later he was in tears & so grateful to the protesters for their protection. They all want to meet later to offer thanks & discuss the event. The pizza parlor owner told them to meet at his restaurant & the pizza is on him! Now that is America & that should be the headline news on every broadcast in the country.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, who is this? Your comments are so right on that I would enjoy more interaction. There is so much left to learn.
ReplyDelete