In creating this E-zine I have met many people – who have freely offered considerable knowledge, as well as raised the thinking bar. In response to one of my thank yous, one helper asked the title question.
I have heard before and am sure will continue to hear (it’s still the American way).
It took me 45 days to respond. Part because there are only so many hours in my short day, but primarily because so many thoughts were provoked I needed time to wrap my brain …
… around the idea of creating a series on this issue.
Maybe we’re about to bite off more than we can chew.
Maybe this is a been there, done that (but since the question keeps returning …?)
Maybe none of us are adequate to craft an empowering response (but then who?).
Maybe … maybe … Maybe it’s time to stop beating around the bush.
Idaberry represents truth. Of course, truth is defined on who’s seeing it.
But for a change, even if a few voices, even if you don’t care anymore, even if you think it will change nothing and no one, even if … There are always “even if’s”.
But we’re going to try.
Maybe we’ll stop trying.
But we’re going to try. Right now.
Here is the original letter.
My response (which I have sent to him) will come in Thursday’s commentary.
Some questions
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Does the reader get it? Do you care?
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Are our experiences analogous? Have we overbought that they are not?
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Should this Ezine answer this question? Why isn’t the reverse raised to mainstream media? And does denying the term “mainstream” media to this Ezine promote a new “N” word – like minority?
I hope you respond with your thoughts and ideas – include solutions. We need those. Email – Dispelling Prejudice?
Finally, Rmoe, thanks. It takes guts to put it out there.
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Dear Renee’,
Of course I remembered you. I have a question for you. Your site is a black expression forum. My question is this, will you use it to not only express black opinions but also to try and dispel prejudice?
I am a white guy from the south, whose people came to this country in the last wave of immigration. My background is Norwegian, Irish, Italian. Basically my people were not here for the whole slavery thing in this country. In fact my people were slaves themselves to the lords and kings of the old Europe. Which is why they fled their home in search of something better.
My Irish ancestors in this country were treated to much the same as they had in Ireland, treated as dumb “mics” and thought to be less intelligent then their English and American peers. My Italian ancestors were slaves for thousands of years (in Roman times). The poor have always been the subjects of the rich and it remains that way even now.
A lot of whites think they are free but alas they are not truly free.
My thoughts on this whole thing with rights is that yes everyone should be equal. Everyone should have the resource needed to reach full potential. It is just plain wasteful for it to be any other way.
My concern is that as long as being not equal presents business and political opportunities for certain people (black and white) if we the ordinary people don’t do something to bridge the gap ourselves we will be stuck.
People should care more for each other and less for the propaganda of politicians and preachers. The whole race issue consumes so much time and so much effort that could be spent on more productive issues (like feeding the world or reaching out to the stars). I realize that this is just where we are in history and that one day it will be resolved but OMG I really wish we could reach that spot now, in my lifetime.
I have a child and when she is my age I would like her to be able to look at the world and say I was able to be who I am not who they said I should be. I truly hope the opinions you express will contribute to that and will not help to perpetuate the propaganda.
This planet is too small a machine for all the working parts to be separated and prevented from functioning together as the unit they were designed to be. Try taking the carburetor off your car and see how far you get. “We the people” have got to be united or there is no hope for us. We should be as children – every baby I have ever seen will smile at anyone without regard to race. All they see is a grownup and as such a caregiver who will protect and cherish them. When do we start to act like the grownups those small eyes perceive?
Rmoe (aka”MrUser”)
Hello, everything is going perfectly here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that’s in fact excellent, keep up writing.