If you missed the coverage of what happened, here's a brief explanation: An African American woman called into the show to complain about her Caucasian husband whose friends and family often make racial comments that make the woman really uncomfortable. The doctor immediately suggested that the lady might just be over-sensitive then proceeded to demonstrate some of the greatest insensitivity a person could muster. When the woman (very politely) informed Dr. Laura that they even use the 'N' word sometimes, the radio host pointed out that many in the black community call each other that word all the time and that it bothers her because it seems to be a double standard. She went on to point out that we now have an African American president, implying that people should just get over it and move on.
To her credit, Dr. Laura issued an apology today, but the damage is done. You just can't simply unsay the things she said. The interesting thing is, I think I understand where she's coming from, to a degree. No one should use the 'N' word and if someone is truly against racism, they should never justify the use of it under any circumstances. I also agree that it seems like the election of our first black president should have leveled the playing field a little bit and yet the opposite seems to have actually happened. Now if one doesn't agree with the policies of the president, they're accused of being a racist. There is a frustration rising among whites these days, but it does not give anyone a license to do and say the things Dr. Laura did yesterday. There are deep wounds in the African American community from years of bigoted mistreatment, but that doesn't give anyone the right to slap the 'racist' label on people who aren't.
I suppose racism may be more deeply rooted than ever before in some segments of both the black and white communities, but there are many of us that want it to go away once and for all and never rear it's ugly head again! It's true that some may be over-sensitive, but in my opinion the greater sin would be insensitivity! So instead of peddling bad advice to unsuspecting listeners, I would admonish Dr. Laura, Physician - Heal thyself!
LOL! It's great hearing you speak your mind. I love it because it is always Biblically based and true. Here's a concept that blew me away a couple nights ago about racism, as best as I can paraphrase my memory:
ReplyDeleteI was watching an African American pastor and a caucasian pastor talking to each other about racism. The African American pastor said a lot of racism spawned from a segment of a certain denomination of Christianity teaching that African Americans were cursed, and this never was stated in the Bible, but people believed it. So then, along came racism and oppression from caucasians, and that spawned hatred in African Americans. WELL, I have to say, I think it ended awesome, with them saying the problem had to be cut down at the ROOTS. These guys actually used the terms 'white' and 'black', and the caucasian pastor got up and said to the other, "I REPENT TO YOU RIGHT NOW FOR MY RACE'S MISLEADING TEACHINGS, AND THE OPPRESSION." Then he called for all 'white' people in the studio and around the nation to ask God for forgiveness for the past sins of any racism in our families amd ourselves, even if it was hidden within us. The apology was accepted by the African American pastor, and then he said, "NOW LET ME APOLOGIZE ON BEHALF OF MY RACE FOR ALL OF THE HATRED AND BITTERNESS." The caucasian pastor accepted the apology also. Some more praying followed and continued about forgiveness to and for all races, and Pastor Jeff, I have to say, I believe they were sincere, and if not, congratulations to them for their acting skills, but as they said, (and I believe), that was the start of something spiritual in this country that will start an end to racism that we never have seen before. I can't wait for the day to see it over with! To God be the glory as He brings an end to this ignorance!!
Well said!
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts. This is obviously a well-thought out response. This is the kind of thinking that we need more of, rather than the extreme, reactionary, sensationalistic kind of stuff that many people exhibit on TV, on blogs, and in everyday conversation. Thanks Pastor. : )
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