http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/38340217#38340217
Once again, a black person exercised forgiveness. Once again, a black person said, "I am not going to do what they did to me, my family, and my people.
That "they" is white people.
Shirley Sherrod did the right thing in spite of racism’s brutality. A brutality so many black Americans have faced and continue to face daily. And, as we are trained to do by black pastor, we have forgiven our white racist oppressor.
Slaves were known to pray for slave master in the face of African cultural destruction. I don’t find that to be surprising at all considering the nature of most African people - humble, forgiving, loving, caring, and loyal.
Black people have been committed counterparts to making the America Experiment work. We have worked tirelessly to be acknowledged as human. Our ancestors died for us to not only have the right to vote – but to sit at the counter with some white people who hated/hate us because of our dark skin color. Imagine that…so many white people despise the color of our skin on our bodies – but yet they are waiting in line at the tanning salons and burning themselves on American beaches to look like us…?
Shirley and all blacks from all over the world should hate white men. We really should. Think about what the white man has done and caused all around the world. The strife. The pain that comes with them trying to be God’s Ultimate Creation. So, when the small part of Mrs. Sherrod’s speech that has been taken out of context was constantly played last night and this morning, I was feeling her. It is a similar feeling I get from time to time when I see a white man begging for money at the LaVista Road exit. That feeling:
‘I am not going to give him a damn dime. He has had one thing that I have lacked my entire life, skin privilege – and he did not make it past begging for pennies and nickels?’
Something always steps in my conscious – and summons me to reconsider. To be compassionate. To be what God expects of me…despite what the White World has reeked: Havoc.
Black people have countless issues. Some of our own making and many as a result of orchestrated Havoc.
One thing we cannot be when you look at the root of racism, Powerful. Racism requires power.
We, black people, do not have any power because we continue to forgive you, Mr. White Man, day after day.
I am not even sure if I want that Power…
Written by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by a true American, Shirley Sherrod.
13 comments:
Reader Response:
A lot of us need to check our apologist gene at the door. It has alerted the world to the inherent weakness of Blacks when it comes to standing for something or falling for anything. I am not an apologist and will never be. There is nothing that any Black man, woman or child should have to apologize for as it pertains to their experiences with other peoples. The only time we should be moved to apologize is if and when we have wronged one of our own, because those seem to be the less likely recipients of our remorse, yet the greatest receivers of our brutalities.
Nandi
www.juswritinlife.com
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LS Responds to Nandi:
I think wrong is wrong. If we are wrong we should apologize. Im not sure where you were headed with this pne BP. What I am sure of is that they fired her in haste because Fox made her look like a bigot. I think that was stupid because considering all of the issues going on now, I think the elections yesterday, BP, the economy, jobs, unemployment, failing banks and a host of other issues like this push this story way to the back seat. It was only news because the administration is so responsive and reactionary to these topics. The person that was wronged was the woman that was fired. The family is grAateful to her. What should have been a good story abput what her acutal speech was about.
In the end, RACE matter so much in America that any confusion caused by incidents like this always seem to cause an uproar when one is not needed.
-LS
Muata responds to LS:
I am not headed anywhere with this one. My point is to push how black people have forgiven and forgiven white people in spite of the hatred, racism, and brutality. We are always the BIGGER person. Always! When in fact we should Nat Turner this country! Mrs. Sherrod was in a power position to execute her power in a bad way - but her conscious did not allow her to. White people in this world have stood by and allowed for black people to be wronged for decades. They are wrong...including the ones benefiting from the wrongs of their fathers. It is that simple!
-Muata
Reader Responds:
We have always forgiven white folks. One of our issues is forgiving ourselves and other black people who suffer the affects of oppression (then and now): Blacks in America are justified in their insecurities and fear of worthiness......................History and Present times constantly remind us of what we are really thought of and how we can be treated on this soil and abroad. Our behaviors and attitudes collectively on education, religion, politics, and communications are largely impacted by our horrific experiences. It's always been about money. power, and control in the states and black people were not intended to be on the favorable end of the equation. We are always held accountable by others yet we shy away from holding others accountable! Please do some critical thinking on what I just wrote.
-PM
Reader Responds to PM:
Totally on-point, PM!
-Nandi
Nandi Responds to LS:
What I figure this woman knows and a lot of us should know is that their apologies mean nothing. They're just as empty as the rest of the rhetoric making the mainstream. Their apologies will never resolve the issue they created. When you intentionally do something wrong, anything that follows is usually without merit, but meant to assuage you of either your guilt or the fact that you've been caught. While I agree this is not more important than the bleeding of our earth, etc., BP made it a subject of address. So, I guess, once again, I do agree with you, LS, on some things. ;-)
-Nandi
LS responds to Muata:
Nat Turner? lol cmon man you know damn well most people(not just black people) don't have it in them to rebel. Look at the Tea Party. I disagree with 90% of what they say. However, people go to great lengths to discredit the entire movement based on the actions of few. They make some good points. They just are bad at it. Look at the black panthers, nation of Islam. The message gets so far away from progress because usually people cannot figure out ways to change the establishment. If you went Nat Turner style you can't even get 5 people on this list to follow you. There is no rebellion left in America. People gotta pay for the cable, IPhone and cars so they don't have time to rebel with you man!
-LS
Muata responds to LS:
Yep, we too weak to rebel. Really rebel. I know this. But, let's not take the heat off Mr. White Man. We quick to start talking about what we ain't doing when the heat should be on Whitey! I am guilty of this at times. But not today: The White Man has been an evil adversary. Evil. Again, white people next to us at Quick Trip are wrong too...because THEY will not acknowledge the wrongs of their fathers. BTW, the Nation of Islam is our best example of black Nationalism at work! The NAACP is shameful. Idiots! Condemned a black women before getting the story. These idiots even admitted to being hoodwinked by Fox News. Dummies! I have nothing for the NAACP - but a MIDDLE FINGER! Jack azzes!
-Muata
Reader Responds:
But isn't forgiveness the ultimate form of rebellion. See that's what they want. You to get mad, upset, showing your black behind, knocking things over, and ready to fight. Then they can call you a savage animal. I know you might not agree Brian - but the Bible does say, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good." To me, that is empowering, because despite their hatred and evil, I am able to continue moving forward. I ain't gonna let them make me mad! LOL I know there is a lot of wrong and unfairness in the world, the workplace, and in the media. Hell, I work with an office full of white people, and I know they show a difference. Being the only black male in my department, I have to constantly assert myself. But also, that's why I see this as a stepping stone to doing my own thing. Already got my own company that's beginning to flourish - and pretty soon - I won't even have to answer to "whitey". And hopefully, I will get some black folk that wanna stand with me - and not just get a discount! LOL (I know I got a lil off subject)
-MJ
Muata responds to MJ:
I actually like that scripture, MJ. But, you may want to keep in mind that the writer who wrote it may have been in cahoots with the power structure of that time period??? All in effort to get the oppressed of the day to forgive. Man, that bible is a piece of work!
-MJ
Reader Response:
Great piece! Although, was she taken out of context? It was truly how she felt (like you, i felt her point)! But ultimately, she did her job thus still forgiving that destructive beast, like our church teaches (agreed).
BTW, aren't you amused by those who say "Don't talk bout my pastor", come on bro. Payne know you feel me!!!
Lastly, respect for this comment, We quick to start talking about what we ain't doing when the heat should be on Whitey! I am guilty of this at times. But not today. BROTHA, I often feel this, especially moments of past debate.
-AC
Reader Response:
I hurt for Shirley Sherrod this morning when I saw the news and was angry that her story which was not just taken out of context but was twisted so dramatically to be used in the absolute opposite intent.
but I 100%, absolutely, vehemently disagree that "racism requires power" hell no. racism requires lack of understanding. that's it. no more. rural samoans (and most samoans rich or poor) will discriminate against most asians pretty quick.and in fact call all asians "chinese". rural samoans have no power. and certainly none against asians. I can go more into the details and historical reasons but you get the point. power has nothing to do with racism. everybody is racist. those of us (you included) who admit it and work to understand those who we discriminate against are the people who work to make change in the world.
-TS
Reader Response:
Amen brother I was waiting on your email for a wrap up on the topic!
-CW
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