After writing three long blogs about my personal experiences with the concept of racism, I have come to some conclusions. My memories were spurred by my older granddaughter who expresses a fairly strong opinion about the Black Lives Matter movement and negative opinions about policemen. I began to tell her about the 60’s from my perspective and I ended up crying. I had no idea that the entire subject would still trigger such strong feelings. I had realized that at least two reasons exist for this. Them I am done.
First of all, the NOW. My husband and I live in a lovely 400-home multi-cultural neighborhood. I tutor students of many nationalities, races and cultures. We have frequent friends and neighbors in our home of every color and background. In contrast, one of my students came in one morning and said, “Mrs. Morrison, I got a ticket this weekend.” Surprised, I frowned and asked what it was for. Grinning he said, “It was a WWB. Walking While Black.” Everyone in class laughed. It was funny, yes, but I pursued the idea. I wondered if that was really a perceived ‘thing’. Open discussion ensued. It was true for him at the time. I didn’t know this was a common joke among his peers. This was 15 years ago.
Today our police force is incredible: a strong, but fair group with varied racial backgrounds; Our chief is black; we have young and very experienced officers; men and women are on the force; school resource officers have an amazing reputation with staff and kids; we have canine units. Our emergency services and fire department are equally as strong. All of these individuals are involved in the community in many positive ways. The police chief, who has not been here that long recently said that Mooresville could be a model for other communities. They have a teen service organization; the department holds picnics in the neighborhoods to get to know the people when there isn’t a problem and establish rapport; they teach self-defense classes. Two years ago, we lost an officer who simply pulled a man over for running a stop sign. That man pulled out a gun and shot the officer, went home and committed suicide. His young wife and two children were left behind. The incident crushed the town.
We have a town that is managed well by a good mayor and a Board of Commissioners. We have strong schools and good neighbors. There was a Black Lives Matter demonstration on Main Street after George Floyd was killed. It was peaceful but powerful and led by a young man I count as dear to me. He was one of two strong black men of faith who were my assistants in a multi-racial classroom at MHS. The other gentleman is currently running for School Board.
My entire purpose in writing this blog that could be boring or aggravating for some readers is this: I know there are places in this country where prejudice still exists. But I do not for a minute believe that this country was established for the purpose of putting down any group of people. There were actual colonies who were established NOT to have slaves. The idea of slavery was unfortunately around for a very long time before the American colonies and still exists in much of the world. This is wrong. Enormously wrong. Many Americans still dedicate their lives to ending the oppression of people all over the world. This country has made many mistakes, but we are being trapped and duped by a narrative that simply is not true.
The second conclusion I have come to is this: The problem in America is much bigger than racial discrimination, capitalism vs socialism, Republican vs Democrat, or Climate change. It isn’t ‘Me, Too’ or ‘Them, Last’. It isn’t irreconcilable differences or twenty-four gender identities. At the root of all the conflict in this nation is: Greed and Self-centeredness.
NO ONE CAN REGULATE KINDNESS. We must choose it. NO AMOUNT OF MONEY CAN CREATE EQUITY. We must each live it. NO ONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DIVIDE THIS NATION. We must reject division. TO PLACE UNILATERAL BLAME IS IMPOSSIBLE. We must take responsibility for exactly who and where we are in life. To continue to emphasize the errors of our past causes us to dwell on the negative rather than celebrate the positive. This is seriously unhealthy for individuals and for the progress of all people. NO, THINGS ARE NOT PERFECT HERE. But they are so much better in so many ways. If I just look at my life and the lives of my family, we live in so much better relationship with others than in those long ago growing up years. My family is Christian and I know that makes a difference.
An interesting problem my students pointed out years ago defines the mess we have created in terms of the motivation to achieve. Several of my students did not care whether they could read or write or do math or hold a job. Three girls – one white, one black, one Asian – agreed that their mothers told them they could just have a few ‘chaps’ and collect checks for them and do fine. Several of my male students (black and white) found it easier to make quick money on the street than to do the work to graduate or get a real job. Two of them are in jail and two were killed by the people they hung out with before they turned eighteen. If our young people are given everything they want and/or no caring guidance, they don’t learn a sense of responsibility, pride in productivity and a decent work ethic; we will continue to have inequity – not along racial lines, but among those who choose to use the educational and training opportunities available in this country for its citizens – and those who do not. It isn’t a matter of color. It is a matter of attitude. We have allowed an ethical and moral drought to consume our society and everyone is looking for someone to blame.
I suggest we each look in the mirror and study the motivation behind our own eyes because our biggest problem is selfishness. We all live in a system that is founded in “systemic greed”. I want what I want and I want it now. And if I don’t have it, it is your fault.
Choose to walk a mile in another’s shoes. Choose kindness. Choose generosity. Choose relationship with some people who are different from you. Get out of your comfort zone and make a difference. By the Grace of God, we can do this.
Mother Factors 