"A white man's perspective"

The catalyst and trigger for this thread comes from the thread 'Georgia couple sentenced for terroristic threats towards children':

I do not mean to put either of these people "on the spot"; rather, I thought this exchange might be a good place to start a very serious but hopefully worthwhile "conversation" that -- if handled properly by everyone who posts -- just-might-possibly help "bridge the gap" in some very long-running misconceptions involving "race-relations" of the past.

Although the foremost "examples" of this original post involve "white-black issues", the topic and discussion is intended to be "across-the-board" in terms of hoping to help all people understand - from another's perspecive - [ whatever ] "race issues" there are that need answers...




This thread is about helping people who have matured beyond the stupidity-of-the-past - that all [ groups of ] people touched by this topic have been guilty of - to have a better understanding of why these things are the way they are -- so as to try to enable them to "reconcile" these things by their Christian Faith in a God Who loves all of us the same and is "no respecter of persons"...




My perspective certainly may not match exactly that of other white people.

I am going to be very candid here -- for the sake of clarity and understanding.

Please don't anyone get mad at me for trying to open a very honest and candid dialog that hopefully will be used to clear up a great deal of misunderstanding among people with long-unanswered questions. Keep in mind that what I say in this original post is strictly based on my personal experiences and observations.


If, at any point in time, you get the impression that I am - in any way - a 'racist' -- then, I would like to suggest that you have severely misunderstood my perspective and my intentions.

My intent is strictly and only to open an honest dialog whereby different people can come to understand each other's perspective on the topic.

Everyone - please be kind and considerate toward all others in this discussion.

I am sincerely trying to do a good thing here --- please don't destroy it...

I am willing to "step out on a ledge", here --- just to try to "do some good"...

If you really want this effort to become truely useful --- don't cause the thread to be locked because of your bad behavior...

Let me repeat:




~~~~~

"A white man's perspective"

~~~~~


What you have to understand is --- what it really comes down to is not actually about skin color itself. Rather, it is about the "uniquely identifiable culture and characteristics" of a group of people "at-large" - as a group. Whether it is blacks, hispanics, Italians, Russians - whoever - there are certain things that come to be known, considered, or thought about concerning the group as a whole -- in such a way that these things get "uniquely associated" with the skin color, nationality, etc. - whatever identifying 'icon' may be attributable to that group of people. From there it becomes a 'label' for every individual in the group. This is the part that is in error.

All white people are not "the enemy" of black people -- although, a lot of black people have apparently been taught this while growing up. (+)

All black people are not ignorant, selfish, and uncaring -- although, a lot of white people have apparently been taught this while growing up. (+)

Based on my life-long experiences regarding black people...

~ "As a 'race' of people, I do not trust them any further than I can throw them..."

( as the saying goes... )

This is probably because -- where-and-when I grew up -- the vast majority of black people [ where-and-when I grew up ] seemed to have an 'attitude' about-and-towards white people such that - they would "just as soon" slit your throat - and not think anything of it - than to even look at you. This is "how bad" it really was - or, at least, seemed to be.

At the same time, however -- my parents taught me to "give every individual a clean slate" - i.e. - not to judge any individual "prematurely" without cause. In effect, my parents taught me:

"Be careful not to trust [ certain people * ] too readily -- but, don't be a 'racist'... Every individual is a human being, and should be treated as such -- at least until they give you a sufficient reason to do otherwise..."

* - blacks, hispanics, [ whoever ] - who were thought to have an 'attitude' and 'agenda' against white people ( outright, without cause )

In other words, don't be quick to label everyone in the group because of what some - or even most - of them do.

But, at the same time, don't be afraid to recognize or speak the truth about the group-as-a-whole if that-is-what-it-be. ( whatever it might be )

Now -- I should say at this point that I believe that 'race' is somewhat of a misnomer; according to the Bible, there is one 'race' - the human race...

To talk about "the white race" or "the black race" - or any other 'race' of people in this sense -- has its good use as an identifier for the group, but is basically incorrect according to the biblical definition of 'race' where humans are concerned.

~ In the course of time, while growing up, I discovered that -- it was certainly not the skin color of anyone that determined their 'attitude' and 'outlook' on life, other people, etc. Rather, it was:

~ What people were taught by their parents, neighborhoods, teachers, churches, etc. while they are growing up.

~ The extent that the 'inborn' "sin-nature" that we were all born with ( selfishness, etc. ) affected their thinking.

~ What kind of 'attitude' and 'disposition' that the person decided to have 'inside' based on their experiences.

~ After sufficient Bible study, while growing up, I came to realize that -- God loves all people the same.

Whites, Blacks, Everybody...



Do I think there are some really 'ignorant' black people out there? Absolutely!

There are also some really 'ignorant' white people out there.

( But, it is not because of their skin color that any of these people are that way... )


There are two things that I would like to say to all non-white people out there - each one being an "extension", of sorts, to the two statements marked with (+) above. Because of the expected length of the words that will be required to get each point across most effectively --- I will post them separately - a post for each idea I wish to present.

I believe that it would probably be best if you can wait for the other two posts before getting too deep into a reply to what I have written so far.

( You should understand what I mean by this after reading the other two posts. )

If you cannot wait that long, then - by all means - please politely post whatever thoughts you wish to add to the discussion at this point...

GaryA,

We live in a society where it is NOT possible to have this kind of discussion.

It isn't possible.



Have fun.

You are "jumping ahead"... ( haha - that is okay )

( So many words still left to write - just to "begin the conversation"... )

I do not mean "talk without addressing those points"; I mean "let's not get caught up in the 'stupidity' that can come from addressing those points" ( i.e. - let's be very mature in our discussion - and - let's not "re-live" any past mistakes that have been made by people who have tried to have a constructive dialog on this topic and failed miserably because of those mistakes ).

Thank you for adding your comments; all of the points you make are definitely good material for discussion in this thread. I actually agree with what you are saying. That is what this thread is ultimately about, in terms of the discussion that may be had.

Unfortunately, it will take me some more time just to "finish" the "opening thoughts" that I intended for the thread. And, much more than that to complete an all-around view of my perspective on this topic. But - in time - Lord willing - I will get there...

I think it could be if people wanted it badly enough...

And, one of my questions is -- how badly do people want it?

Is a platform of [ what should be ] - Christian love - enough?

We shall see...

Division... division.... division.... I REFUSE to play the division game.

There are the saved, and the unsaved. I'd like there to be more saved. I'll preach the Gospel and love people. That's the ONLY healing I've EVER seen to be effective.

A very good suggestion, indeed...

I am not trying to create division between people; rather, the exact opposite.

If you wait long enough, and I get enough words written, you may just see how that this is a true statement...

Its possible If people will be brutally honest and the other side even though,offended,would be willing to accept the pain knowing that what they don't like about the other side Is true In their mind,then the starting point of the dicussion would be from ground zero and starting from truth,but I understand what you mean because most people can not stand truth that Is brutally honest without getting upset,but when people are allowed to say what they feel then I would rather start discussion from truth rather than someone telling me what they think I want to hear but It Is not true what they feel on the Inside.True progress can be made from that point and would benifit the children.

But then again things seem to better than they were so maybe time will right wrongs.

But, isn't that precisely the problem with topics such as this one?

If no one is willing to make-or-hear sufficient dialog to gain a more full perspective before bringing in Judge, Jury, and Execution-of-a-sentence --- why should we not expect failure from the start?

This isn't supposed to be a poll; rather, it is supposed to be an ongoing discussion -- but, one that may require a bit more information than a one-joke-per-post thread in order to "set the stage" for the discussion...

And, I now have come to the conclusion that I must wait until later to write the other two posts...

"Work calls..."

So -- y'all will have to wait even longer...

"Oh, well..."

Too many lengthy posts.

yes




.

I have had friends who are black, indian, Sri Lankan, Singaporian, Malysian, Australian, Japanese,
Korean, Eastern European, German, French, Portuguese, Chinese etc.

But in reality they are all individuals with different cultural heritages.
It takes time to understand the heritage and the emotional differences, but it can be learnt.

What is really the problem is cultural identity and what is accepted as the group role as a
member of one group against another. Once this polarises, conflict easily errupts.

I do not once hatred and hurt is buried deep in any social group it can leap generations and
work like cancer, eating away at people. It is this hatred that poisons many wells.

I knew a guy who grew up hating catholics and became a terrorist. He murdered people because
of this hatred. And that is were such hatred leads. It is so evil and so embedded it is only through
love and repentance can it be finally resolved.

I've always found it interesting that we fight racism by promoting racism. And that those who most decry the separation of races are those who most fiercely refuse assimilation.