Saturday morning I woke up and went to reread MLK’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail. I sat down this morning and read it again because it just hit home so hard for me the past few days. If you have never, read it, I strongly recommend that you do. And I mean actually read it, not just scan it or go to wikipedia.
The passage (of many) that I keep coming back to is the following (emphasis mine):
First, I must confess that over the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Councillor or the Ku Klux Klanner but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says, “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can’t agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically feels that he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by the myth of time; and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.
The final two sentences are what I see us as a society (and forum) struggling with the most. It is the lukewarm acceptance. It is the selective empathy. It is the disagreement about the means without understanding the origins. It’s the lack of discussion about actual change. It’s the attitude of ‘yeah I get that you are upset but this isn’t the way.’ This approach is embarrassing as a society.
57 years ago Dr. King called out the “white churches stand on the sidelines and merely mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities.” That was three generations ago. Here is my challenge to you:
Reach out to friends, colleagues and neighbors that might be hurting.
Realize that you might be or have benefitted from a history or unjust laws or structural injustice
Speak up when someone crosses the line, no matter how small the infraction
Listen to contrasting opinions, accept being challenged and open to the idea that your view is nothing but YOUR view
Acknowledge that systemic racism permeates society, look for it and root it out
Now is the time for difficult conversations. Now is the time to put your words into action. None of this is about looting, rioting or vandalism. This will not be the last encounter of injustice. But every conversation has the ability to make progress.
What progress are you willing to make this week?
*(disclaimer…leave the asshatery, Trump, finger pointing out of this thread. You have a dozen to choose from. This is about progress) *
Saturday morning I woke up and went to reread MLK’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail. I sat down this morning and read it again because it just hit home so hard for me the past few days. If you have never, read it, I strongly recommend that you do. And I mean actually read it, not just scan it or go to wikipedia.
The passage (of many) that I keep coming back to is the following (emphasis mine):
First, I must confess that over the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Councillor or the Ku Klux Klanner but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says, “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can’t agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically feels that he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by the myth of time; and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.
The final two sentences are what I see us as a society (and forum) struggling with the most. It is the lukewarm acceptance. It is the selective empathy. It is the disagreement about the means without understanding the origins. It’s the lack of discussion about actual change. It’s the attitude of ‘yeah I get that you are upset but this isn’t the way.’ This approach is embarrassing as a society.
57 years ago Dr. King called out the “white churches stand on the sidelines and merely mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities.” That was three generations ago. Here is my challenge to you:
Reach out to friends, colleagues and neighbors that might be hurting.
Realize that you might be or have benefitted from a history or unjust laws or structural injustice
Speak up when someone crosses the line, no matter how small the infraction
Listen to contrasting opinions, accept being challenged and open to the idea that your view is nothing but YOUR view
Acknowledge that systemic racism permeates society, look for it and root it out
Now is the time for difficult conversations. Now is the time to put your words into action. None of this is about looting, rioting or vandalism. This will not be the last encounter of injustice. But every conversation has the ability to make progress.
What progress are you willing to make this week?
*(disclaimer…leave the asshatery, Trump, finger pointing out of this thread. You have a dozen to choose from. This is about progress) *
I rec’d this to Mrs. geetee yesterday; was not aware she hadn’t read it before. The letter itself is fairly short (4-5 pages?) and is (sadly) still as relevant today as it was when MLK wrote it.
Saturday morning I woke up and went to reread MLK’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail. I sat down this morning and read it again because it just hit home so hard for me the past few days. If you have never, read it, I strongly recommend that you do. And I mean actually read it, not just scan it or go to wikipedia.
The passage (of many) that I keep coming back to is the following (emphasis mine):
First, I must confess that over the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Councillor or the Ku Klux Klanner but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says, “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can’t agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically feels that he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by the myth of time; and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.
The final two sentences are what I see us as a society (and forum) struggling with the most. It is the lukewarm acceptance. It is the selective empathy. It is the disagreement about the means without understanding the origins. It’s the lack of discussion about actual change. It’s the attitude of ‘yeah I get that you are upset but this isn’t the way.’ This approach is embarrassing as a society.
57 years ago Dr. King called out the “white churches stand on the sidelines and merely mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities.” That was three generations ago. Here is my challenge to you:
Reach out to friends, colleagues and neighbors that might be hurting.
Realize that you might be or have benefitted from a history or unjust laws or structural injustice
Speak up when someone crosses the line, no matter how small the infraction
Listen to contrasting opinions, accept being challenged and open to the idea that your view is nothing but YOUR view
Acknowledge that systemic racism permeates society, look for it and root it out
Now is the time for difficult conversations. Now is the time to put your words into action. None of this is about looting, rioting or vandalism. This will not be the last encounter of injustice. But every conversation has the ability to make progress.
What progress are you willing to make this week?
*(disclaimer…leave the asshatery, Trump, finger pointing out of this thread. You have a dozen to choose from. This is about progress) *
Thank you for posting this. Your positive ways of working forward are welcome for sure.
“What progress are you willing to make this week?â€
Good question. I hope to talk with PeterP about how much he gave at the office, and what he has done since. I hope he challenges my thinking, and I hope to challenge him.
I’m not drunk on booze; I’m drunk on love. And I love the people of ST. This is a time to make valuable changes both personally and collectively. For me, this is the meaning of life.
I know I can improve. I look forward to doing better.
“What progress are you willing to make this week?â€
Good question. I hope to talk with PeterP about how much he gave at the office, and what he has done since. I hope he challenges my thinking, and I hope to challenge him.
I’m not drunk on booze; I’m drunk on love. And I love the people of ST. This is a time to make valuable changes both personally and collectively. For me, this is the meaning of life.
I know I can improve. I look forward to doing better.
Noted in another quote from King’s letter:
“So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love?”
In reply to my own call to action, here are the steps I took and am taking. Let me be clear, I am not the bar, the litmus test and I am not virtue signaling. I am hurting on the inside. I want to see us all do better. I am driven by compassion and empathy for all. I believe injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
I reached out to four different black friends, colleagues or classmates with a simply question. Are you ok?
I reached out to two friends who are LEO…one a local pd in a small district, the other is SWAT in LA. I just wanted to let them know I was thinking of them and their families during this stressful time.
I started a conversation…err…argument…with my father because I am tired of his covert racist language. He isn’t a bad man, he doesn’t even realize he is doing it. But his language and word choice is modern day racism, stereotyping and discrimination. I can’t let that go on in my presence.
I took my son (6) downtown to see the aftermath of Saturday night’s rioting. We put on gloves, took brooms and trash bags ready to help. We were joined by dozens of others, all different backgrounds, who before our arrival had the park cleaned by 930 am. I believe strongly in experiential learning and hope he begins to see the world as a place for change.
I realize that I am part of the problem and I need to be better. I need to be the light to root out the darkness around me.
“What progress are you willing to make this week?â€
Good question. I hope to talk with PeterP about how much he gave at the office, and what he has done since. I hope he challenges my thinking, and I hope to challenge him.
I’m not drunk on booze; I’m drunk on love. And I love the people of ST. This is a time to make valuable changes both personally and collectively. For me, this is the meaning of life.
I know I can improve. I look forward to doing better.
You guys had everyone on your side before the rioting. Now your side is behaving like spoiled brats. Use whatever of my tax money you can get for your cause. I’m tapped out monetarily and emotionally with your side after this nonsense that’s going on now. Cut it out and wait patiently for a very long time now before your side gets any more support from me.
“What progress are you willing to make this week?â€
Good question. I hope to talk with PeterP about how much he gave at the office, and what he has done since. I hope he challenges my thinking, and I hope to challenge him.
I’m not drunk on booze; I’m drunk on love. And I love the people of ST. This is a time to make valuable changes both personally and collectively. For me, this is the meaning of life.
I know I can improve. I look forward to doing better.
You guys had everyone on your side before the rioting. Now your side is behaving like spoiled brats. Use whatever of my tax money you can get for your cause. I’m tapped out monetarily and emotionally with your side after this nonsense that’s going on now. Cut it out and wait patiently for a very long time now before your side gets any more support from me.
Side? Is there some sporting event going on that I don’t know about?
I’m in Birmingham, Alabama. A famous inner city high school here, Woodlawn High School, graduates about 50% of those that enter. Year after year. I know graduates and drop outs. Illiteracy is still a problem among kids andadults in housing projects – I’ve seen it. Dad in jail and mom just overdosed – I’ve seen it. Folks are suffering and could use a helping hand. I’m sure it is not just Birmingham.
I do volunteer. And if it is something you want to explore, I’d be glad to talk with you about that offline. There are all kinds of organizations working in the inner city that are looking for volunteers.
Sorry for taking shots. Maybe I’m sensitive on the subject because I often hear, and on the internet I see, much talk about doing something, while I spend much time begging – nicely I assure you – for assistance but get few takers. But even then I should be grateful as I somehow always manage to get enough helpers and donations to keep my little thing going (it is miraculous really).
Some people are not in a position to volunteer directly (family obligations or location), but time shouldn’t be a problem – give up three hours a week in the LR and you can tutor a kid or do a shift at a food pantry.
Black kid goes over the fence to get arrested… White girl sees the police approaching and recognizes they’re heading for him and she jumps in between them to make sure he isn’t injured… Here’s hoping that (and similar acts) are the enduring image from this chunk of American history. As MLK wrote in his letter, there are white people who were happy to sit on the sidelines and give half-hearted support, but here’s an example of some who are also willing to show absurd amounts of bravery on behalf of people who continue to be targeted for their skin color.
Side? Is there some sporting event going on that I don’t know about?
I haven’t checked on Bundesliga in a while…
Agree 100%. There is one side and that is of humanity. If you see this as Police vs Black Americans, your vision is distorted. If your vision is distorted, ask yourself why.
I’m going to invest my time and money on a beautiful Sunday morning at our Lakefront watching 2 good men teach my son and other good young kids
that hard work and commitment are more important than politics
.
Saturday morning I woke up and went to reread MLK’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail. I sat down this morning and read it again because it just hit home so hard for me the past few days. If you have never, read it, I strongly recommend that you do. And I mean actually read it, not just scan it or go to wikipedia.
The passage (of many) that I keep coming back to is the following (emphasis mine):
First, I must confess that over the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Councillor or the Ku Klux Klanner but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says, “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can’t agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically feels that he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by the myth of time; and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.
The final two sentences are what I see us as a society (and forum) struggling with the most. It is the lukewarm acceptance. It is the selective empathy. It is the disagreement about the means without understanding the origins. It’s the lack of discussion about actual change. It’s the attitude of ‘yeah I get that you are upset but this isn’t the way.’ This approach is embarrassing as a society.
57 years ago Dr. King called out the “white churches stand on the sidelines and merely mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities.” That was three generations ago. Here is my challenge to you:
Reach out to friends, colleagues and neighbors that might be hurting.
Realize that you might be or have benefitted from a history or unjust laws or structural injustice
Speak up when someone crosses the line, no matter how small the infraction
Listen to contrasting opinions, accept being challenged and open to the idea that your view is nothing but YOUR view
Acknowledge that systemic racism permeates society, look for it and root it out
Now is the time for difficult conversations. Now is the time to put your words into action. None of this is about looting, rioting or vandalism. This will not be the last encounter of injustice. But every conversation has the ability to make progress.
What progress are you willing to make this week?
*(disclaimer…leave the asshatery, Trump, finger pointing out of this thread. You have a dozen to choose from. This is about progress) *
This is a helluva post.
If I can add my thoughts re: #2. There is no reason to feel guilty. No matter who you are. None of us could choose our race, our birth families, our upbringing. And the things that provide an advantage(or freedom from a disadvantage)are largely beyond your control for many years of our lives. Going forward, focus on doing better. All of us.
“What progress are you willing to make this week?â€
Good question. I hope to talk with PeterP about how much he gave at the office, and what he has done since. I hope he challenges my thinking, and I hope to challenge him.
I’m not drunk on booze; I’m drunk on love. And I love the people of ST. This is a time to make valuable changes both personally and collectively. For me, this is the meaning of life.
I know I can improve. I look forward to doing better.
You guys had everyone on your side before the rioting. Now your side is behaving like spoiled brats. Use whatever of my tax money you can get for your cause. I’m tapped out monetarily and emotionally with your side after this nonsense that’s going on now. Cut it out and wait patiently for a very long time now before your side gets any more support from me.
Dude… wtf is this even supposed to mean? I cant believe you dont see the problem with this post. Side? Really? Maybe you should pick the only side there is in this, as someone else said humanity. Not one person in the LR condones the riots. Not one person condones the killing of George Floyd. So wtf are you blathering about?
