Rev. Donald L. Perryman’s column in this week’s Sojourner’s Truth is entitled, Intolerable Indignities. While the “resident grouch” he references is not mentioned by name, there’s one point of his column I wanted to point out:
The fact is, we do let too much “stuff” slide. Yet, rather than remaining “passive bystanders” we have a responsibility to the community to publicly step forward in ways, esteemed researcher Evelin Lindner, M.D., PhD describes, “that recognize that in a global village we cannot afford to create enemies; we are bound to work for cooperation.”
Aside from the aspect that it is almost impossible to not create enemies, the real key is how do you view cooperation. If you view cooperation as a give and take where neither side will get everything that want, that there will be compromise — an attempt to have the varying sides walk away feeling as if they can live with whatever is being discussed.
All too often the concept of “cooperation” means one side wants more, or all, and brings along a lot of historical baggage not relevant to the situation at hand. The real “c” word for that would not be seeking cooperation, it would be capitulation. I’m all for the idea of reducing “passive bystanders” — I’m also all for realistic goals.
Keon Pearson writes a piece I recommend, The Implications of the Election of President Barack Obama on the Lives of African- Americans. One paragraph of the longer recommended piece:
The nature of race is such that any discussion pertaining to it is unavoidably awkward, distasteful, and sometimes offensive. However, we must address this issue, and we must do so with level heads. It is not my intention to offend whites by claiming that they still have racist thoughts or tendencies. I write according to observable fact. That race continues to be a determinant in the way we perceive and interact with others is undeniable. Thus, I acknowledge that racist thoughts and tendencies are present in all racial communities, including whites and African-Americans.
I referenced Tolliver in the title of the blog post, Lafe Tolliver has gone far into the land of satire this week in TPS Hires Attorney as Consultant.
