A few weeks ago, I took out some DVD's from the public library. One of them was the story of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. I didn't watch it right away, and ended up watching it about a night before "Martin Luther King Day"by accident - not that I believe in a day like that, but I do have to say that I am quite impressed by him.
I must also say how shocked I was to learn again as an adult what happened to the blacks in this country only about 50 years ago! It is SHOCKING to think that some of our citizens were treated so horribly, and denied their rights in a country that proclaims to give freedom to it's citizens.
But it also puts a lot into perspective for me. For a while I have not understood the hatred that many blacks have for other groups, or why they are given preferential treatment in ways that seem at times to be "reverse racism", whereby a white person might not get a job or opportunity (college, etc...) simply because they are white! The world seemed so off kilter. Where was justice? And why would a white person be looked down on or excluded from black circles today? Why, I wondered was everyone harping on a subject that seemed to me to be clearly over?
Well, just imagine Jews living in Germany...To know that these people tormented you, that their grandfathers killed yours, and tortured yours. I am not equating the 2 situations, because they are very different on many many levels....but it did explain to me the feelings that some people are holding onto.
It gives me at least more compassion and understanding from where they are coming from, rather than seeing just how wrong they are. Yes, I do believe they are wrong (especially towards me, because my grandparents did no wrong to them), but 50 years is not that long, and it makes sense that there are some repercussions reverberating around today from the wrongs done to the past generation....These are some of the consequences.
I don't think they are being handled correctly, or all that well per say on either side, but it is what it is...I think a lot more understanding could be promoted on both sides, and both sides need to move on and promote healthy self respect and respect for others. I'm sure the damages done to the black community are STILL having their ripple effect in today's world, and am also sure that the white community has tried to do things to correct it. I think most importantly there needs to be an apology and worldwide recognition for how wrongly they have been treated.
It also explains a lot to me about other issues and social problems of the day. To watch that movie and see how insane an entire culture can be, (and not in relation to any issue directly affecting me) helped me see how truly insane and off kilter and out of balance society's can be, and so when things are accepted as a 'given' today, they may actually not be. And to see it and say something about it, while it might meet with tremendous opposition at first, may in fact be bringing healing and truth to the world. Sometimes. Sometimes not.
The first place to start is the workplace in America, and how the 'worker' is treated...I beleive there are major corrections that need to be done in this area. Another is relationships. Another is morality.
:)
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