As a white American, I have to agree with Sophia... our relationship to race is *painfully* dishonest. Fundamentally, painfully dishonest. I rely on my online friends to remind me when I'm not being the best ally I can be, but that's dishonest as well. I need to grow more and remember my ancestors' roles in shaping this country. I need to be mindful every day what has happened in the service of white skin. And I thank people like you & Sophia who remind us that this country could do so much better.
I wonder though. I'm a big fan of natural inclination and if we want to go tribal for a minute here, aiding and abetting the fortunes of tribal members makes a certain amount of sense. And listening to our higher angels is not always the most natural thing to do. I wish I could throw stones here but often "natural" is what best serves me and so is what serves me best. Could we do better? Oh, sure. But I'm personally losing no sleep over the fact that we don't. I always expect people to disappoint me and so I'm rarely disappointed! hahaha....
Well, see, you're one of the people who, when you write of your disappointment (or lack thereof), remind me that I can do so much better. I'm one of THOSE PEOPLE, who are fundamentally naive and think that their little efforts can change big stuff. I keep getting reminded that I'm not doing as well as I thought, but I'll keep trying.
As a white American, I have to agree with Sophia... our relationship to race is *painfully* dishonest. Fundamentally, painfully dishonest. I rely on my online friends to remind me when I'm not being the best ally I can be, but that's dishonest as well. I need to grow more and remember my ancestors' roles in shaping this country. I need to be mindful every day what has happened in the service of white skin. And I thank people like you & Sophia who remind us that this country could do so much better.
I wonder though. I'm a big fan of natural inclination and if we want to go tribal for a minute here, aiding and abetting the fortunes of tribal members makes a certain amount of sense. And listening to our higher angels is not always the most natural thing to do. I wish I could throw stones here but often "natural" is what best serves me and so is what serves me best. Could we do better? Oh, sure. But I'm personally losing no sleep over the fact that we don't. I always expect people to disappoint me and so I'm rarely disappointed! hahaha....
Well, see, you're one of the people who, when you write of your disappointment (or lack thereof), remind me that I can do so much better. I'm one of THOSE PEOPLE, who are fundamentally naive and think that their little efforts can change big stuff. I keep getting reminded that I'm not doing as well as I thought, but I'll keep trying.
that's all any of us can do really...