http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Logo_250X250.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Background_1024X576.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Banner_686X60.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Half-Banner_234X60.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Logo_250X250 http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Logo-Watermark_250X250.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Background_1024X576.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Half-Banner-ALT_234X60.jpg Bigthink http://www.bigthink.com/feed/rss/user/7827 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:01:38 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.bigthink.com/media-the-press/9592
Being a white male from Iowa, my experience with African Americans was quite limited.  In the first few weeks living in Chicago I experienced culture shock on a daily basis. Things were just so different than what I'm used to.

But, I have grown accustomed to living here.  I harbor no hatred towards African Americans.  There isn't a racist bone in my body.  In fact, the more interaction I have with the Black community, the more my preconceptions and held stereotypes dissolve. I am very grateful for this an the experience has been incredibly enriching.

Also, I often work in some of the most poverty stricken and dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago, which are almost entirely Black.  After seeing these communities I feel for many of the people that live there.  They are places that seem to have been brushed aside and forgotten.  Many businesses are closed down, there is no growth, no investment, and no interest in these communities. Some of these are inherently beautiful urban areas, with classic stone architecture and historical buildings.  They are conveniently located, near airports, highways, and the downtown areas.  They would seem to be perfect areas to invest in and refurbish.

Unfortunately,  it is unlikely that an effort to cleanup and renovate these areas will be made. When driving around the various neighborhoods on the South-Side I was initially surprised by the racial segregation of neighborhoods. There are places that are extensively, white, black, hispanic, and Indian. I have yet to experience a truly homogenized community, with every ethnicity represented.

So that being said, I've come to realise that racism isn't a thing of a the past and it is still with us today.  I feel for some of the people left behind and neglected. I understand that many Black communities have been screwed over by a white majority. I hope that the wounds will mend and everyone will come to a proper understanding.

But, when watching the videos and learning about Rev. Wright's speeches, it sickened and discouraged me.  I just couldn't fathom that many of the Black I interact with view white people in such a way. (I know that many of the Blacks I work with go to his church).  I thought, how could anyone overcome such slander?  Do these people really see me as someone that is so immoral and evil? How can I even come to grips with this? It seemed that no effort of kindness could remove my tarnished image. I know that many whites have done terrible things to blacks. But, I haven't, and I do not think I share their guilt.

So I pose this question to the reader, what can the white community do to convice those like Rev. Wright that we are not all that bad? How can we bridge the gap?

Granted, concessions need to be made on both sides. Rev. Wright and those like him need to make a productive effort towards preaching tolerance, not fueling racial fervor. ]]> Bigthink Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:18:44 +0100 http://www.bigthink.com/media-the-press/9592 http://www.bigthink.com/faith-beliefs/3792 Bigthink Wed, 16 Jan 2008 07:23:25 +0100 http://www.bigthink.com/faith-beliefs/3792