Anaundda, I don’t know when Stupid Hateful white people will get it! My Family has been a partner in the Struggle for Equal Rights for 73 years. My Father was a circuit rider for the UMC! He had four churches that he cared for ministered to and Preached for when he got back from the Korean War! He loved these people as a family! He and my Mother were newlyweds at the time. The year was 1955…He came to realize that black folks in the neighborhoods where he served were Not being served so he went door to door to invite them to Worship at his Churches with his congregations and they came slowly at first but they came. But Within 6 months his Churches were taken away from him…See my Comment below for the later details.❤️
My Husband’s Neurologist is from Iran 🇮🇷! We love her dearly and when we saw her earlier today we had a frank and honest conversation about Trump’s War… She supported it at first because she and her family back home were praying for a Change of Regime…but She is very disappointed with the Trump Regime for the War that failed to do anything for the People and She dislikes him intensely for his Racism and Misogyny and doesn’t understand why We still have Racism in this Country! I am a Southern White Woman and my best friend is African American! BUT I was taught from early childhood that everyone was the same and should be Loved Equally as Commanded by God! I hope Your Juneteenth is meaningful and purposeful…I know mine will be!🥰
If people exposed themselves to others who are not like them, they would learn that they don't need to be afraid or blame them for their own ills. They would also learn that they have been conned by others into thinking that other groups are "less than" or are to blame for their problems. We all realize how powerful a political tool that fear is. It produced our current mess in the federal government, and we see the effects of it all around us.
I actually feel sorry for some of these people because they don't know what they are missing by cutting themselves off from knowing others.
In exposing themselves, people would learn that we have more in common than we have differences. People from every group deserve and want many of the same things, no matter what they look like: safety, healthcare, a chance to make a decent living, food, housing, clean water, opportunities to learn, a future for their children, respect, love, dignity, and belonging.
In psychology, a highly effective treatment for anxiety, particularly phobias, is exposure therapy. People learn with experience that what they fear no longer has power. It is freeing. People have to experience the consequences of exposing themselves. (I am a BIG believer in consequences.) These can transform lives. I really believe that holds true here, too.
Thank you, John, for always saying what needs to be said. So many people are obviously scared of THAT, too. That is why they get so angry--fear.
Marianne, your first paragraph speaks to the myth many have been taught to fear since being very young. I agree with you if we would be willing to engage with people who are different we will find fear is not real. Who was it that said we have nothing to fear but fear itself?
I'm sure I'm not the only person to consider the possibility that, as a means to reinforce rather than upstage Juneteenth, the Obama Library opening couldn't have happened a day later. Each speech could have ramped up the importance of this day.
My Father in 1962 finished his PhD Program in both History and Christian Ethics! The Title was The Abolition Movement to the West…It was written in one draft as Daddy was blessed with a photographic memory! It was later published as an undergraduate Textbook 📕! My Dad was organizing boycotts of Local Grocery Stores in Jackson TN where we lived so that He could teach off some of his Undergraduate Debt…He became Aware that the Local Grocers were adding a 10% surcharge on their Black Clients. He and his group helped to get Black Folk to Memphis to Purchase Groceries for their Families! This program lasted for two years between 1963-1964…a span of 18 months before his Program was shut down by the Mayor of Jackson TN who happened to be my Mom’s , Sister’s Father in Law! Family relations were strained needless to say and my Father was Denied Tenure at his Job!
Jan that is a wonderful story. I hope that blacks were not the only one boycotting that grocery store. In as much as we can we all need to stand with each other. I am sorry it cost your dad tenure.
Excellent article John! I have trouble understanding the resentment toward the success of people who are truly working to make this country a better place with the fear that something is being taken away from those who are racially entitled (white) by people who are different and undeserving. I have always been taught that when some benefit all benefit.
TEARS fell as I read this.How long until we have ONE LOVE for everyone?
We must move one heart at a time toward empathy and acceptance.
Anaundda, I don’t know when Stupid Hateful white people will get it! My Family has been a partner in the Struggle for Equal Rights for 73 years. My Father was a circuit rider for the UMC! He had four churches that he cared for ministered to and Preached for when he got back from the Korean War! He loved these people as a family! He and my Mother were newlyweds at the time. The year was 1955…He came to realize that black folks in the neighborhoods where he served were Not being served so he went door to door to invite them to Worship at his Churches with his congregations and they came slowly at first but they came. But Within 6 months his Churches were taken away from him…See my Comment below for the later details.❤️
Juneteenth is celebrated globally these days, especially evident at the World Cup. ⚽️🏆
Celebrate Juneteenth by hugging someone who needs care.
My Husband’s Neurologist is from Iran 🇮🇷! We love her dearly and when we saw her earlier today we had a frank and honest conversation about Trump’s War… She supported it at first because she and her family back home were praying for a Change of Regime…but She is very disappointed with the Trump Regime for the War that failed to do anything for the People and She dislikes him intensely for his Racism and Misogyny and doesn’t understand why We still have Racism in this Country! I am a Southern White Woman and my best friend is African American! BUT I was taught from early childhood that everyone was the same and should be Loved Equally as Commanded by God! I hope Your Juneteenth is meaningful and purposeful…I know mine will be!🥰
Racist "Christians" should be reminded of Imago Dei - we are all created in the image of God. No exception.
If people exposed themselves to others who are not like them, they would learn that they don't need to be afraid or blame them for their own ills. They would also learn that they have been conned by others into thinking that other groups are "less than" or are to blame for their problems. We all realize how powerful a political tool that fear is. It produced our current mess in the federal government, and we see the effects of it all around us.
I actually feel sorry for some of these people because they don't know what they are missing by cutting themselves off from knowing others.
In exposing themselves, people would learn that we have more in common than we have differences. People from every group deserve and want many of the same things, no matter what they look like: safety, healthcare, a chance to make a decent living, food, housing, clean water, opportunities to learn, a future for their children, respect, love, dignity, and belonging.
In psychology, a highly effective treatment for anxiety, particularly phobias, is exposure therapy. People learn with experience that what they fear no longer has power. It is freeing. People have to experience the consequences of exposing themselves. (I am a BIG believer in consequences.) These can transform lives. I really believe that holds true here, too.
Thank you, John, for always saying what needs to be said. So many people are obviously scared of THAT, too. That is why they get so angry--fear.
You are right on point! Happy Juneteenth everyone!
Marianne, your first paragraph speaks to the myth many have been taught to fear since being very young. I agree with you if we would be willing to engage with people who are different we will find fear is not real. Who was it that said we have nothing to fear but fear itself?
FDR?
Beautifully written, as always John. And your last line is the best.
Eloquent, and then some, John!
I'm sure I'm not the only person to consider the possibility that, as a means to reinforce rather than upstage Juneteenth, the Obama Library opening couldn't have happened a day later. Each speech could have ramped up the importance of this day.
I hope so but Juneteenth reminds me the importance of going the second mile.
My Father in 1962 finished his PhD Program in both History and Christian Ethics! The Title was The Abolition Movement to the West…It was written in one draft as Daddy was blessed with a photographic memory! It was later published as an undergraduate Textbook 📕! My Dad was organizing boycotts of Local Grocery Stores in Jackson TN where we lived so that He could teach off some of his Undergraduate Debt…He became Aware that the Local Grocers were adding a 10% surcharge on their Black Clients. He and his group helped to get Black Folk to Memphis to Purchase Groceries for their Families! This program lasted for two years between 1963-1964…a span of 18 months before his Program was shut down by the Mayor of Jackson TN who happened to be my Mom’s , Sister’s Father in Law! Family relations were strained needless to say and my Father was Denied Tenure at his Job!
Jan that is a wonderful story. I hope that blacks were not the only one boycotting that grocery store. In as much as we can we all need to stand with each other. I am sorry it cost your dad tenure.
Excellent article John! I have trouble understanding the resentment toward the success of people who are truly working to make this country a better place with the fear that something is being taken away from those who are racially entitled (white) by people who are different and undeserving. I have always been taught that when some benefit all benefit.
John's essay made me wonder: is it possible to ever live in a society without racism?
Wonderful writing, John! Thank you!!
Amen. May it be so.