anathema
Anathema means something or someone that one vehemently dislikes.
For the last few weeks, I have been struggling with what to write in my blog. I've written at least three different drafts, all of which seem to fall short in conveying my thoughts and emotions accurately. I've come to realize, this post may fall short too since I keep on learning more about what I feel and what I believe. Like many of you, I am grappling with the recent events in our country. Racial injustice is an anathema to most people. It's easy to see racism when a spotlight is upon it, but much of it lies beneath the surface or even embedded in unknown places.
I think it is important for all of us to survey our thoughts and emotions regarding race. There needs to be honesty in the process, but perhaps more importantly, a willingness to make an effort towards change. Exposure to diversity is a good place to start whether it is in a written form or perhaps participating in an event or lecture in one's community. However, that alone won't solve the problem.
I have been challenged by my daughter to be more open to the cause of the protesters and increase my awareness of their message. I also have taken the time to listen to various podcasts, such as Radiolab-June 6,2020 and I watched the Netflix documentary 13th. Both media outlets present a historical account of racism in my country. It is hard to hear and view the unfolding of our history, but it is important to watch and learn. I also started reading the book, Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi. The setting starts out in eighteen century Ghana where the slave trade was occurring between tribal villages and England and other European countries. Whether it is past or more recent history, disregard for humanity is appalling.
We all have thoughts and ideas that are impure. There is no way of escaping human nature in this fallen world. Perhaps the discipline of practice might help. Just like training for an athletic event, practicing tolerance, fairness, humility, and kindness, will begin to rewire negative tendencies. However, we can’t practice something without understanding. Therefore, the practice has to come after awareness is unfolded.
At first, I wrote, "awareness exposed" but I think that exposing something is more of a forced proposition with a negative connotation. If we can unfold our thoughts, opinions, and experience, maybe we can be more honest about who we are and why we feel or believe what we do. Maybe then, positive change will occur.
I am just beginning to tip-toe around the edges of racism. I’m learning what the terms mean, like systemic racism. From what I understand, it doesn’t mean that everyone is a racist, but governing institutions have put policies in place that do not protect all citizens equally. Whether you believe this to be true or not or intentional or not, is irrelevant. There is a disparity, and it needs to be addressed.
I want to believe and do believe that the framers of our constitution did their best to form a more perfect union. There are areas of success and areas of failure. There is more work to be done and hopefully, the willingness to change will flourish.
I can not fully understand racism. Perhaps I can sympathize, on some level but I will never be able to empathize since I am white. After a conversation with my daughter, something that has fermented within me came to mind. I recalled I situation of being verbally attacked and wrongly accused by someone. I don’t think there is anything that bothers me more than being falsely accused of something I know to be untrue. When my character is impugned, a well-spring of anger erupts followed by a deep sadness that has stuck with me for a very long time. If I can feel this way with just being insulted, how must the Black community feel from centuries of being marginalized and misunderstood?
Our world has been tainted throughout history. Cruelty and injustice are not new, and efforts need to made to address such practices. We can’t go back and rewrite history, but we can go forward and make efforts not to repeat it. Right now, we are being exposed to the ugly face of injustice, and although it is hard to see, it is necessary to move towards change. Yes, we are capable of much harm, but I know and believe we are also capable of unimaginable good. I hope we are in the era of healing and goodness in our nation as we work towards equality that will lead to a more just country.
The discussion has begun. I’m hopeful that the unexplainable, tragic crime, which percolated an uproar in our nation, will begin to brew something beautiful for all the world to see.
It starts with me and you.
Let's do it together to make this country better than it was on May 25, 2020.
I thought I’d end with something uplifting! Take a listen to this amazing performance by