PEACE WITHOUT JUSTICE IS AN IMPOSSIBLITY
I was asked to keep the lines of communication concerning racism and prejudice open ..so we as VN women could make a difference through dialogue here is my first attempt to start a Racial Dialogue on VN and I will call it
Mending the Bridge of Racism, Hate and Prejudice ( leaving no one out of the equation)
My first personal attempt is to extend a hand out to a VN Sister who we feel needs help .
WORDS OF INSPIRATION BY Desmond Tutu
To be neutral in a situation of injustice is to have chosen sides already,
It is to support the status quo.
Peace involves inevitable righteousness,
Justice, wholesomeness, fullness of life,
Participation in decision making,
Goodness, laughter, joy, compassion,
Sharing and reconciliation
When we look squarely at injustice and get involved, we actually feel less pain, not more, because we overcome the gnawing guilt and despair that festers under our numbness, we can clean the wound –our own and others- and it can finally heal.
All of us experience fear, but when we confront and acknowledge it, we are able to turn it into courage,
Being courageous does not mean never being scared; it means acting as you know you must even though you are undeniably afraid.
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I’m glad you are doing this, I was going to if you didn’t. I’m going to change the topic a bit. First, no there can be no peace without justice and there is not justice in this country for African Americans and by extension me. I teach in a community that is prominently AF and poor and I am well suited to it. Several years ago I became concerned about a group of children whose needs we seemed not to be meeting, AF boys.
Oddly enough I am most successful with them, more than any other group I have taught. I see the most success with that group of kids. I know that we are losing a generation of boys. As a nation we can’t afford to lose them. We need their gifts.
I’ve been the most successful when I have stayed with them and stayed connected to them. I can only stay connected if my intentions are free from self. IOH, it’s about them and not about me. I can only stay connected to them when I accept them for who they are and don’t expect them to act like white middle class girls. That’s a challenge sometimes because white middle class girls are easier to manage in a classroom. They want to please. Boys, not so much and that’s what I like about them. I like their fierce attempt to be individuals. I also want to them to trust me, to learn and to be successful.
I want to be a good teacher for them but is it possible for a white teacher to really do that with AF boys? I’d like to think so but I have friends who would say not.
We can have no peace without justice and public education (for me) is a very important avenue of social justice.
Morning ladies, When the human heart is looking for someone to care color will not make the difference. The fact that you think that much of me to give time, understanding, patience and care is the meat of the deal. Children are taught to receive certain people in a given way. There is only one human race, different cultures, tribes, tongues and nations, but one human race.
I thank you for thinking outside the “American color/hue, and peoples box”.
Children want a person to think that they are worthy, smart, intelligent and capable and encouraged that they can do anything their hearts are set on.
Because your mind and heart are in the right place, I wish you much success with your boys, OUR FUTURE AT STAKE…TRACK
“Children want a person to think that they are worthy, smart, intelligent and capable and encouraged that they can do anything their hearts are set on. ” Thank you. I gave added that to the bottom of my intention statement for this year. Please keep us in your prayers. Pray that I am a good teacher for them and that they get what they need and experience success.
so true
Love covers all faults and color is not a fault to cover …you are so right TRACK!!
It is possible for any teacher to be a good teacher if she loves her students and her work and is fulfilling her calling….keep up the good work
Only when all of us — old or young; black, white, or brown; citizen or not; left or right wing; heterosexual, bomosexual, bisexual, or transgender; rich or poor; religious or not — all of us can receive equal respect, equal rights, equal humanity . . . only then can we begin to fulfill the rich potential of our minds and souls and bodies. I believe that the person who would have found the cure for cancer wasn’t born because her parents were murdered in the Holocaust. I believe that the person who would have stopped the killing in Darfur wasn’t there because his parents were sold into slavery and sent to another country. I believe that if bin Laden hadn’t seen bombs dropped on innocent civilians as a child he wouldn’t have turned into the personification of evil.
It starts with us. Most of us were raised to believe either racist, separatist (we are better than them) ideals or to believe that “everyone is just the same.” Neither is correct. No one is the same; cultures are very different. But everyone is wonderful, deserving of our best, and fascinating in his or her own way. We don’t have to like everyone, but basic civility and decency and a desire to learn everything we can — those things can bring us, as women, and the culture of America, to a dizzying new height.
For those who will now bring out their holy books and thump wildly upon their favorite you-must-hate passages, I warn thee: I know the books, and the passages, well. For every quote you offer, I will have one that will make you sputter. Try being nice to me. It’s so much easier.
KGrandma, What a woman, and I can go their distance also…TRACK
p.s. “ I know the books, and the passages, well…
I do love you, TRACK, and if I drop the ball, I always know you’ll be there to pick it up.
You are so on point… and one of my favorite is: You shall knw the truth and the truth shall set you free!!
The life of Christ was the best example of loving people of all walks of life …who can cast the first stone?
Your statement is the enlightment of the quote above of Desmond TUTU….he has some great writings a small book named BELIEVE
Keeping the lines of communication open is key. Fayette, watermusic, TRACK and KGrandma have all made profound statements within what? 12 hours? We need to share, listen to each other, read and re-read these posts. Desmond Tutu’s words are truly inspirational-thanks Fay.
Being open to and interested in other cultures is important. Not everyone lives like we do. My kids were raised on PBS and I have recently gone back to the BBC and PBS for my news coverage, being so disgusted with what I see on other networks. It’s very refreshing to get away from the myopic view of the world we see on American TV.
The story of Shirley Sherrod’s transformation in thinking should be shouted from the rooftops. It is this type of personal story that really resonates with me. I would really like to hear from others regarding an event or events in one’s life that had an impact on their attitude toward other cultures or motivated them to make a positive change in their lives. Watermusic has shared a heart warming story of a woman who is actually making a difference in the lives of children. She stepped out of the box, the ease of teaching white middle class girls and used her empathy to focus on boys whose needs were not being met. Kudos to you watermusic.
KGrandma wrote:
Most of us were raised to believe either racist, separatist (we are better than them) ideals or to believe that “everyone is just the same.” Neither is correct. No one is the same; cultures are very different. But everyone is wonderful, deserving of our best, and fascinating in his or her own way.
I come from the “everyone is just the same” genre. It wasn’t until I was a grown woman with two children that my eyes were opened. My husband is Mexican American and grew up in a barrio in Texas with eight siblings. He focused on the positive aspects of his childhood and didn’t talk about racism much when we were dating or newly married. Years later he told me a story about a swimming pool being built close to the barrio where he lived. He was a young boy and very excited-of course they had no A/C and the summers were stifling. When the pool finally opened he and some of his brothers and sisters got their swimsuits, mostly borrowed and walked to the pool and waited in line to get in. When they finally made it to the front of the line they were told that Mexicans weren’t allowed in the pool-so they walked back home. He told me this story without emotion, and was surprised when I was upset by it. He said- it’s nothing-I grew up with that, it doesn’t bother me. Well, I didn’t grow up with that and it had an impact on me. I could now put myself in the shoes of a mom that has to deal with her children receiving this treatment. I abhor violence and don’t think it solves anything, but I had a different understanding of the riots in Watts in the mid sixties that I had seen on TV…the rage that must have been felt.
It took a small story of one day in the life of an innocent, enthusiastic little boy to change the way I think. ”Everyone is just the same” is not true, as KGrandma pointed out. My white middle class mother and I never had to endure this. For me, this put a face on racism in this country….I wonder how many little stories have never been told. And if they were, could they change someone else’s thinking?
Winelover, You hit iton the head, “you have seen the face of racism and indifference”, you know what to look for…your understanding as become enlighten…thank you…TRACK
That’s it TRACK, I’ve seen the face of racism and indifference-and I also feel the pain. My little girls were about 5 and 11 when I heard this story, they are now 23 and 29 and when I was typing this in my post above it was as if the knife was being stuck in my heart once again. My heart makes no distinction between that sweet little boy-my husband- and my sweet little girls.
Whoa!!! I’ve been away from VN for awhile-having too much fun with a wedding of a friends daughter and my daughter being back home for the week. I just re-read this post and I sound so sappy! My point was that all children are the same-innocent, needy, entusiastic and they all deserve to be protected from racism and indifference. TRACK said indifference and that’s what it is. Read watermusic’s post: the mother said: I just want someone to care about my boy. I read as I don’t want my boy to be treated with indifference.
I am not color blind. I see color the same way I see hair and eyes and skin tone, as part of the package. 13 years ago during open house a mother looked like she was frettin’ about something. When I asked her if she had a concern she said, “I just want someone to care about my boy.” I vowed to myself that I didn’t care if he was Jeffrey Dahlmer with blood dripping from his hands I was going to care about her boy. I promised her that I would care about her son. Rodney had a reputation that I nipped in the bud. I told anyone who came to me with a story about his past that I didn’t want to hear it and I used those words. “I don’t want to hear it.” I was new to the school and this did not make me popular with some teachers. Someone went to the school counselor about him and she told them, “To get to Rodney you’re going to have to go through Debra and I wouldn’t cross her on my best day.” I loved Rodney which means I gave myself to him without wanting anything in return. He thrived and so did I.
That same year Jimmy, a fifth grader had the same reputation. He as hanging out in the hall and I told him to go to class and he challenged me with body language and a smart alack remark. Two teachers behind him were trying to get my attention to back off. They were a little afraid of him and thought he would hit me, that was a possibility. I wasn’t going to let go. My thought was, “He’s going to hit me, don’t hit back.” When he saw that I wasn’t going to let go of it he laughed and hugged me. The two teachers were stunned. They were more stunned to see that Jimmy and I became very close. What I think my boys want is someone who will stick with them no matter what and I will do that.
What I like about my boys is their fire, their determination to be seen as people and not stereotypes. They challenge white middle class teachers to care about them. I have those same qualities and I get them. Our reasons may be different but what we want is the same, to be seen as human and having value without having to conform to a stereotypical norm that is stultifying and limiting.
So true Waterrmusic
If Black people were laid on a psychiatrist couch from one end of the globe the majority would hate to be told that someone is color blind!!!!! You are so right I want you to see my rich pecan hue, I want you to see my hubby rich dark chocolate , I want you to see my Carmel grandson , as you should want me to see your vanilla fudge or almond cream..etc.. variety is the spice of life it would be dull if all flowers were one color …why should we Humans be any different…
I have a daughter who has an” Old Soul ” and she is a wonderful teacher like you she loves teaching boys ..she knows how and they respect her and do well , when other teacher can’t
get them to achieve she respect them and they respect her and her motto we are talking about no one business and no one , only math in this class, and guess what other teacher do shy away from the good teachers.
We need more teachers like you and we should start paying for what our children are worth.
Wonderful stories watermusic-you are an incredible woman. I wish all children in this country would have to opportunity to have just one of their teachers approach them with the integrity that you have exhibited in the teaching profession.
This is so refreshing to reach out and be able to express our deep emotions on race without anyone being held back by the” lying Box Theory” ….Don’t talk about it it will go away…. Push it under the rug” Wait on the Lord”
We are each individually unique …and deserve the equality of freedom to be but not the malfunction of injustice to destroy others who are not the same…
Thank you so much Watermusic. Wine lover. Kgrandma and Track
M y heart is lifted today in my 6 day of gratitude…grateful for women like you to blog with, when it was said VN was a little way of entertainment, I had to think back to why I originally started him nearly a year ago.
I was raised in an all Black neighborhood that was open for white American to come and go as they please, but it was not the same for us.
My mother taught us tolerance, and to know that we were better than on one and no one was better than us.
Sometimes we had only bread and coffee…I guess that is were my love for the symbolic meaning this warm and comforting drink comes from.
When my Father had a tragic death I was 10…but had the vision, that my mother could be free…free to find a better life, she began to search and could not find help within our community. she was searching for TRUTH as she felt the way the Bible read and the way we served God was not in order….She ended up join White church …who allowed her through correspondence to learn the Bible ..Yes I m well versed in the book also, the church member were so friendly and accepted us after the minister came and visited our home (later we found the procedure of approval). This was during the civil rights movement…so we were told to not converse outside the church with Black and White, it may cause an up stir…so for the first four years we began to learn more and more …one Sabbath one of the elders who seem to be a bit prejudice to me he was an ex police officer and seem to have a prejudgment of Blacks, we were told (through the teachings of the Bible that we {Blacks} were gentiles…and the church was Hebrew Israelite..and sort of receiving the “crumbs from the master’s table”…One day the Son of the head minster came in and said that integration had been in force for a while and it was no longer necessary for the Black members to sit in the front rows in the middle of the church, (a designated section for Blacks only)…That is when the true color of racism hit me …some members quit the church and some were visibly offended to sit next to Black. We were taught patience that GOD would clear the racism and wrong doing…3o years later it was still very difficult for The Black men the church to have a position, we prayed for a Black minister to be sent to us because by now children were growing up and the little white girls were eyeing the Black boys, but it was the black parents who were being balled out.
To skip much I could say I began to study my culture and history the first book was BLACKS IN SCIENCE BY Ivan Van Sertima….I was AWAKEN to who I was and what he had accomplished that day at my kitchen table I cried like a baby..I had won many awards for reading the most books ….but had not read anything about my people of value. It took someone like James Brown the singer to help young Blacks feel proud about who we were.
I believe that Reparations need to take place for African American…not just about money but about the mental affects of years of being made to feel inferior and many parents unlike my mother taught their children than white was better….
My years in the church I would not trade for anything …I met some wonderful white people, but most of all I was able to take the book that I had to read twice all the ay through and realize that it begin in Africa… enough about my journey late on I will share the way I came back to believing that No one is free until we are all free.
I believe ladies we can make history on this post of Mending Bridges….I am so proud to be apart o this journey and we all have stories to tell and share how we can help mend this bridge
Correction Mother taught us we were Better than no one and no one better than us.
…mothers taught their children THAT white was better.
…book read twice all the WAY through….
You said: ‘…Mother taught us we were Better than no one and no one better than us.’
My father taught us the same……..and for that I will be forever grateful.
That is one lesson that if you learn it, will take you anywhere and you will face anybody, without being intimidated.
Hi Fayette,
The topic of reparations. I’ll admit that I’m not very knowledgeable on the topic. All I know is a basic definition and what little I’ve heard here and there on news clips. Based on that, all that really comes to my mind is — what a logistical nightmare, that is, who would get to make all the decisions? It seems to me that you obviously have something more in mind. Would you be willing to discuss your views on the topic……..or this that another thread?
That would be a thread of its own and I have a beautiful true story to support the Reparations and when I post it I will have a few books to give out as reference to help with the subject…I really appreciate you asking and wanting to know …this is how we can communicate ..Thanks.
Thank you. I don’t like to form opinions without first being informed.
Peace without justice is impossible — and — for me all of this is fussing — !! About 30 years ago I declared to a group of thinking women that ‘in 50 years we will all be coffee-colored anyway!’ It may take another 30 – but it’s inevitable!!
I believe where there is no justice there will be no peace.
We won’t be hear to see that (l0l) So… I would rather we enjoy the difference , and share what we have in common….. I love the rainbow of humanity sharing and comparing but not disparaging…AF