Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

[My Fox Orlando]

She’s only 12 years old but Ashleigh Jones is feeling the heat of this election year.  That’s because the seventh grader at New Smyrna Beach Middle School was called a racist by classmates for wearing a pro-Sarah Palin t-shirt.  Jones is volunteering at the Republican Headquarters in New Smyrna Beach. The Palin t-shirt was a gift from her fellow volunteers.

“Some of the students were calling me racist because I was Caucasian,” she said. “I wanted the Caucasian man to win. And I told them that’s not true. It’s my freedom of speech, it’s my opinion.”

Read about it here.

[From me]

I’m hoping this is just a bunch of misguided kids.  But I have a feeling this is going on with adults too on “BOTH SIDES.”  I’m sure there are some who won’t vote for Obama because he is African-American. I guess one could argue that not voting for Palin makes one “sexist.”  This is stupid. I hope we get beyond this.

What do you think?

[Dallas Morning News]

The incendiary quotes of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright were like the O.J. Simpson verdict: a cultural lightning bolt illuminating a chasm between the races, followed by thunderous arguments.

Many white people reacted to sound bites from Dr. Wright’s sermons with, “Is he crazy? How could anybody be so wrong?” Many black people said, “He may be wrong on some details, but there’s nothing crazy about his message.”

The controversy is letting white America in on what was well-known to black Americans: A profound distrust of government and other institutions is preached in varying degrees from black pulpits – and shared by many in the pews.

Dr. Wright’s sermons are national news now because he was the pastor of presidential candidate Barack Obama. While most of his provocative claims are grounded in fact, Dr. Wright has asserted that HIV and crack cocaine were government plots aimed at African-Americans – claims that most historians say are false.

Read the rest of the article here.

[From me]

I don’t for a moment believe the US government has had plots against African Americans.  However, I don’t think we can discount everything he has said.  If you haven’t noticed, I’m not black.  So, how can I talk about racism?  I have seen racism and it makes me angry.  But I’ve never experienced it.  

What I have learned especially discussing issues with people in person and on the internet is there is a whole lot I don’t understand.  I can’t imagine the humiliation that many African Americans endured since our country was born.  I can’t begin to understand the mistrust many of them have towards white Americans and our government.  I’ve always trusted the police, but some African Americans have endured abuse at the hands of law enforcement just because of their color.  

I have heard out of the mouth of church members, nasty words about African Americans. Some of these people were leaders in the church.  I’ve heard off color jokes about African Americans that I didn’t find very funny.  Yes, I said something too.  So, maybe pastor Wright is a little off base.  But, I haven’t walked in his shoes.  

I’m curious if any African Americans who read this will share how your feel.  I’m sorry for any pain you may have endured because of the color of your skin.  I will try to be more sensitive and not so defensive.

What do you think?