2001-09-05 -
10:36 a.m.
This morning I saw Irish children being pelted in the streets by people with hate in their hearts. I am praying for all God's children today.
I remember once years ago feeling an impulse to fear. I didn't know where it came from. I refused to let it exist. It was late at night on a street in Milwaukee. There was a group of young black men standing near the bus stop on the corner where I was heading. I was tempted to cross the street and walk on to the next stop. I didn't.
There was no indication from their behavior that they intended any harm. So why should I act as if they were a threat? Instead, I decided to do what I would do if it was any other group of people. I continued toward them.
I've always been a pedestrian. I'm also a greeter. When I see someone, I acknowledge him. Usually, I smile. Sometimes I say hello. No social rules against it have ever influenced me to stop. This has been a vital part of who I am and has brought me no harm. While occassionally I will get a "gut feeling" and avoid someone--it's very rare. What I felt this night was not a gut feeling, rather a memory of something whispered in my ear...Something to make me want to fear. If that makes any sense.
I found out later about white women who clutch their purses and give black men a wide birth--just as I had been tempted to do!!--and how the action is not lost on these men. They see it. It hurts society that this happens. I am grateful that God made me aware and I did not do that. So, when I approached them as if they were just folks and neighbors with a nod and smile, is it any wonder they reacted pleasantly?
I also look people in the eye when I talk to them, also against the rules. Ghandi was once asked how he could influence so many different people, even to hanging around with bad men and criminals with a measure of safety. His response was that he would only talk to the "good" man. He never acknowledged they were "bad".
I've found this to be true. When confronting and even scolding gangs and drug dealers, I never once thought of them as "bad" people and so did not by word or action imply to them that I thought it. Perhaps it was that general friendliness that got through, but they were almost always respectful to me.
Racism has always been an issue for me. I don't get it. Can't understand why anyone would want to hate anybody who has done them no harm. Worse that they should feed it and put energy into it. To what end? No one gains anything from it. Recently, I've noticed a resurgence and intensification of the old hatreds. It saddens me to hear it from people who should know better.
Over the years I've developed different ways to deal with it. I've told people I wouldn't listen to that poison. I've turned and walked away. I've refused to participate in the spread of it. I WON'T pretend it's ok for the sake of friendship. That's where the problem lies. People who've tried to spread this hatred through me understand that. Unfortunately, it takes courage to confront hatred. I have to pray to find it every time. It's hard. I don't blame others for not finding it. I only want them to know that as long as good people do nothing, evil will grow. It is the responsibility of each one of us to make the effort not to feed it.
Whether it's white against black, Asian, American Native, Hispanic or Jew, protestant against catholic, Israeli against Palestinian, Muslim against Christian, etc, it's all nonsense. Evil is being perpetrated in the name of nonsense. Children are being abused, maimed and killed in the name of nonsense. Time is being used up dealing with it. Societies are being destroyed by it.
All it takes to end hatred is to stop feeding it. When we are tempted to go along with it because it's easier, we must put that temptation aside to do what is right. So, every time I see another human being, I remember that each one of us is given who he is by our Creator and deserves our acknowledgement and respect. As long as I continue to act accordingly, I am sure to be doing as Christ instructed.
