The World In Black And White . . .
Racism is still alive and thriving - oh not blatantly as it once did, but quietly, humorously, and at times, it runs unobtrusively. Remarks, images and jokes that seem to be nothing to one group, affect another with an all too familiar, devastating sting that evokes deep feelings that don’t disappear or vanish with the turning of a cheek or a change of venue. Do we simply assume that they don’t get it and that we do, or have we merely decided that we bear no responsibility for our forefathers or for the history that we did not write?
I have not lived what many others have experienced; I did not grow up with a family heritage of fear and segregation, or unworthiness. I can only imagine how I might feel if my family roots were in slavery, fear-based in degradation and disposability. We take education and the joy of success for granted. However, not all have had those choices throughout the years. We can blame history and our forefathers. However, the legacy of demeaning others leaves scars lasting throughout ages, on many sides. Humanity does not heal as quickly as the wounds were inflicted. It takes generations to finally believe and trust again, and some will never surpass the wounds, and others continue to hate.
We live under the colorful umbrella of one race, the human race that comes in a variety of colors and ethnicities!
We all bleed red, we all break, and we all come from history, teachings, and concepts that differ, as do our defining moments. We all carry labels, accepted or not. However, we are not all racially profiled or looked at with disdain for simply being who we are. Not all of us have had to live those moments or had to carry the labels of responsibility for an entire group because of others' errors or simply because of our color or ethnicity.
We can rewrite the legacy we leave with caring, compassion and understanding, or we can remain stagnant and angry in this divide. All groups must work towards a common goal of understanding, losing attitudes deeply ingrained by either side or by different religious convictions. It starts with each one of us moving forward in truth and dropping labels. There are wonderful examples of change in each group. Listen and learn from them.
Barack Obama gave a wonderful speech on racism. The transcript can be found here. His understanding of multiculturalism and the scars of racism remind me of a great Canadian - the Late Right Honorable Pierre Elliott Trudeau. He made us believe in ourselves as Canadians and that we can be greater than we imagined if we believed in multiculturalism; and to find peace in all people, even if they are different. We all had the freedom and rights to express ourselves. We learned to dream not an impossible dream but an achievable dream, so in 1982 he signed into law The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms found here. It has been an example used around the world and something that many here have taken to heart - a mantra to live by.
We as individuals all have rights and freedoms to express ourselves. They include gender, color, creed or religion, and we can not discriminate against others. We must be accepting and tolerant of the diversity of others if we are to have a peaceful and “just society” for all.
History shows our errors. Our heroes teach us there is a better way for peace and respect for all. It is up to us to learn and seek change within ourselves, for ourselves and for humanity . . .
We must be the change we wish to see in the world – Mahatma Gandhi
copyright © 2008 BDE
