People participate in an anti-hate rally on Nov. 20 at a Brooklyn park named in memory of late Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas.
I am a single straight Black man and have desires only for a woman. Is it okay for me to feel uneasy when I see two men kissing in public. Is it okay, Rachael Maddow, for me to admire your mind and hooray your brilliance but repel your lifestyle. Is it okay for me to respect the truths of the Holy Koran, and enjoy the rich culture of Muslim heritage, but dislike any aura of arrogance. Is it OK for me to love the richness of Jewish heritage, the economic genius in civilization development, but hate any permeation of exclusivism and elitism.
Fear is stifling. To ignore real feelings of real people is a real problem. I try not to walk in fear, but I think it “be” human to detour in it.
As a child, I remember questioning my Mom, in observation of our poorness, blight and surrounding urban decay, “If our religion is truth why are we living like this?” I will never forget her quiet response “We Will Get There.”
This morning, my Mom’s words again came to me after reading a resounding response to a post I shared from the Huffington post. ”White Jews have a Duty To Stand With Muslims And People Of Color” Here is the response to me sharing that post, unabridged:
“Here is the thing, I understand their connection with blacks in America, but when you look at the world at large, it is the Muslim who kills, threatens to annihilate Israel, and enslaves people, both Muslim & Christian. I don’t mistreat a Muslim but I don’t get too close because he/she may be wearing a bomb. Paranoid?”
Well, my first thoughts were, really, really! My second thoughts were, I get it, I get it! I am black, so I have no fear of myself, but I get that others might. A Muslim man has no fear of himself, but Others might. A Jewish woman has no fear of herself, but Others might. A gay man has no fear of himself but Others might. A white police officer has no fear of himself, but Others might. It is a fact, we all have different frame of references, different value constructs, but we all have the same human instinct of self preservation. And out of that basic instinct arises the emotion of fear.
Fear is a basic instinctual human trait that helps us to avoid danger. Fear of the other is natural. Fear of oneself is unnatural; paranoia gone awry. Someone rightfully stated, “F. E. A. R. is False Emotions Appearing Real.” I stopped by to inform you that America is on the precipice of collapse. Collapse by paranoia, as is evidence in the ascent of fake news, fake elections, fake elects, and electors. If we are to be saved from ourselves we need a healthy dose of realism. Realism venom can only take effect when we sit down, face our fears, and talk one to an-Other, straight.
Tell me, what do you think of me and my Black people? Is it okay for you to respect my mind but lock (Click) car doors as you see me approaching. Is it OK for you to respect my black beauty but dislike any hint of unbridled ambition.
So tell me what you think. Let’s talk. This is the only way “We Will Get There.