Extemporaneous musings, occasionally poetic, about life in its richly varied dimensions, especially as relates to history, theology, law, literature, science, by one who is an attorney, ordained minister, historian, writer, and African American.
Monday, August 8, 2016
INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS NOT TALK NEEDED ON RACE
ACTION, NOT CONVERSATION, ON RACE IS NEEDED
This "conversation on race" thing is too anemic, too tepid, too trite, to be effective, in conducing the material amelioration of racism's historic viral, disproportionate, legacy in American life on practicality all levels, between its unique clines "blacks" or "whites."
While conversing or "conversating," beats a basic blank, by "stirring up the gifts," along with the ingrates, this national "race conversation," in clearly defining no ends, is wholly inadequate! Much more is required.
Having a glass of beer with a Harvard scholar from Massachusetts, and his police officer from Cambridge, at the White House, as guests of President Obama, was a good public relations maneuver. But, even it was lacking in objective vectors or measuring tools.
"Action on race" is much better than inaction, mere conversation on race.
That way, every single American is involved, is invested, is investing their time or their resources in a pursuit, that is primal, personal, democratic, republican, independent, effective !
"Action on race," being individual, would also be in consonance with the spirit of national credal documents, including Thomas Paine'a valuable pamphlet "Common Sense." This foundational American essay, should be read aloud, in segments, to inspire us, to inform us, to influence us in our homes, churches, schools. "Action on race" would also redeem blood shed, amendments, sacrifices made, and the innumerable depredations visited.
Do whatever you can do, on race, in keeping with the means available to you. Do not strain, nor constrain; do not go out of your way, nor get in somebody's way. Just do your part! Whether it is great or small, whether it is done in private or in public. Do it!
Historically, race became the defining paradigm in American life in Virginia and Maryland in the late 1660s, after the failure of the the Nathaniel Bacon Rebellion, a class and caste struggle by black-white indentured servants over access to Indian lands, against colonial rulers wanting these lands.
Thereafter, laws were passed giving "whites" certain advantages not given to blacks, including such "free law" gifts as parcels of land, money, seed, tools, horses, to help them get started after their indentures ended.
Thus, the blacks and whites were separated into colored or not groups by law, by privilege, by power, early.
A further dis-aggregation is needful, where such colored colossi, or not, is jettisoned in favor of personal merits; in favor of individual rights and duties as were envisioned by Nature & man.