April 4, 1968 - To me, that will always be the day that I remember where I was when I heard of Martin Luther King's assassination. We lived near Fort Wayne IN on Coverdale Rd. I was 9 years old and in bed sick. It was my younger sister's seventh birthday party. My paternal grandparents had come over for the party (in the evening). Even then I had the habit of listening to the radio a lot, usually WOWO (which was a 50K watt powerhouse back then). The news came over that Martin Luther King had been assassinated. I was shocked that this had happened and went and told my parents the news. I do not remember the reaction.
I firmly believe in the same ideals that Martin Luther King stood for. There is no reason that all of us shouldn't be able to deal with each other as equals, regardless of race, religion, nationality, politics, etc. I don't think, though, that we will ever get past that. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be working our tails off to try and get past it. Unfortunately, though, if we get rid of prejudice against one race (i.e. blacks), we will unknowingly transfer it to another group (blondes?). And prejudice can be as simple as "OK, kids, we are in a bad neighborhood. Lock the doors." when you drive through a black neighborhood. On Martin Luther King day, let's take some time to reflect on how we can work better with those around us WITHOUT the preconceptions that have hindered the races down through the centuries. Do away with the racial remarks that have caused hatred (racial jokes, flagwords, etc). Look at ALL the people around the world as people and not less than you.
One more question that (sort of) ties in with this. Who came up with the color scheme? "Caucasians" (my relatives came from the area of the Germanic tribes, not the Russian Caucasus region) aren't white (my oldest daughter says that we are more like a peach color and she's right), "black" people aren't black (not even in Africa. Arguably, though, they could be said to be closer, but it's still not a true black. I've been to Kenya. I know), "Orientals" aren't yellow and the Native Americans aren't red. I have tried to research this and it all been to no avail.
4 comments:
One only has to observe young children at a playground to hear laughter as many races and ethnic backgrounds share swings, monkey bars, etc. As some people grow older, they learn and adopt racist/judgemental attitudes. Many come from the mass media and "pop-culture" where they practice the marketing technique of using false stereotypes to boost ratings. Many come from "harmless" jokes that just add to the canyon of division in society-which is really nothing to laugh about. If we are truly the "United States of America", then let us all try to put that "unity" in practice!
QUOTE-
Caucasians" (my relatives came from the area of the Germanic tribes, not the Russian Caucasus region
QUIT STEALING MY LINES!!! (at least give me credit when you do)
Natalie,
Your line wasn't stolen. I adopted this philosophy when I was stationed in Hawaii. I have used this since 1989 (roughly). Comes from a question that I was asked by a Hawaiian sailor. He wanted to know why Caucasians were so named because most of us did not originate from the Caucasus region.
I believe that you will find that it IS possible that you adopted it from me. But, even if that is true, it is not line stealing. A loving person such as yourself can learn from many places, including other people. So don't feel too bad. It just means that you have just learned.
Racism can be a "learned experience" in one's childhood that must be overcome in latter years. As a Christian, I look back at the roots of the racism in my youth. At school I was tormented and harassed by "Irish Catholics" and "blacks". Hence, instead of speaking to someone about it, I held fast to the concept that these "groups" were less than human and were basically animals. That concept was hardened in my heart and sealed with cement. I was probaly the only elementary school child who made jokes and laughed on the day Kennedy was shot in Texas. After all, it was just "another Catholic off the map". In later years, when there was an assassination attempt on the Pope, I found the weather forecast to more relevant. As I grew as a Christian, I saw the effects of my racist attitudes on my heart. I am sure other children had the same experience but went the other way and became "poster children" for white supremacy groups.
I am thankful now that I do not have to carry that burden anymore.
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