AP photo - The Sept. 14 issue of Newsweek
On the front cover of a Sept. 14th issue of Newsweek magazine, the question is asked "Is Your Baby Racist?" Where and when does racism start? How does that carry over into adult life? It seems like anyone and everyone could be guilty of, or at least blamed for, a little racial bias. Jesse Washington of the Associated Press (AP) also asks you the reader: "But if everybody's racist, is anyone?"
The problem is one that I became all too familar with this week when I was accused of acting in a racist manner for using the term "black " and "black people" in one of my articles. For the record, I am not a racist, and strive to live by the principles that I profess to believe as a Christian. Within the pages of the Bible, I do not believe there is any room for racism. We are taught to love everyone, regardless of who they are. We are taught to follow Jesus' example.
As a child I was brought up singing a song with these lyrics: "Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white. All are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world."
I remember asking "but what about the brown people?!" And being told "He loves everybody!"
I actually believed it, and never forgot.
The problem nowadays, as this article from the AP points out, is "The word is being sprayed in all directions." All you have to do is say something "wrong" about someone "black" then suddenly there are people who will jump at the chance to label you a racist and enact some form of censure and punishment.
Jimmy Carter, Bill Cosby, and others are accusing Rep. Jim Wilson of being a racist because he accused President Obama of lying after Obama told congress that illegal aliens would not receive health care under his new health plan. They're not just saying "He was rude" or "out of line", they are essentially acting as mind readers and judging Jim Wilson's heart. He didn't even use a racial slur! Jim Wilson did apologize to the President and Barack Obama accepted his apology, but for some people this wasn't enough so they demanded Mr. Wilson be punished. But is that for the outburst? or because they think Wilson is a racist and should be punished? Maybe some of his accusers are racially biased, or don't want to be accused of racial bias, so they can now make Jim Wilson the scape goat and hopefully come across as racially sensitive.
As far as I know, there are words that are considered to be racist; however, I was unaware that "you lie" and "black" are included. Maybe I should write to BET (Black Entertainment Television) and let them know. I wonder if they'll thank me.
So ... is "African-American" politically correct? What if a person looks African-American and is not? In that case, does that person have a right to be offended if someone calls him an African-American? And what if an African-American calls someone "black" ... does that make him/her a racist? Can African-Americans be racist? or are they exempt? What if they call someone "white"? Isn't that the exact same thing as someone calling them "black?"
As you can see, there are a lot of questions, and we have just scratched the surface. For every question, there is an answer. But who gets to decide which answers are correct?
In my opinion, God alone knows our hearts and minds - even better than we do. And He can, and will, lead us into all truth and righteousness ... if we will let Him.
Feel free to comment if you have something to add to this discussion.
To read the AP article on Yahoo Click Here.
To see all of my past articles: Click Here
Comments
It wasn't simply because you wrote the word "black" in reference to the race of someone. It was because you brought it up at all. Why do we even have to reference someone's race at all? I know there are times when it is absolutely necessary for identification purposes. But the premise of your previous article went beyond identification and seemed to imply that "black people" are a special group that better behave themselves or the prejudices some people hold against them will be justified or credible. Just the title of your article alone makes my point. Having said that, I agree with you that no one should be judging other people's hearts and calling them "racist" or "sexist" etc. It is childish and I feel embarrassed for those people. It is as if they get pleasure out of name calling. Strange world we live in.
President Obama does what is politically expedient because he is in a tough position and is being pulled in all different directions, and I am sure has the weight of the world on his shoulders. Let's pray for the man. Calling him a liar doesn't help anyone. If he is a liar, then just like all of us, he will be answering to God for his sin one way or another. By the way, just out of curiosity, how long have you been in this country?
Joe Wilson didn't even say Obama was a liar. He just pointed out one instance of a lie. The charges of racism in cases like this are just a distraction created by people who can't argue their point on the issues, and resort to name-calling. Unfortunately, there are many who have been conditioned to believe any charge of "racism" against Republicans. It's quite an irony that 1960s civil rights laws passed with a 2/3 majority of Republicans, and despite a 1/3 minority of Democrats. The southern Democrats who used to be klansmen, like Senator Byrd, are forgotten; and the southern Republicans who are living examples of the prgress of race relations, like JC Watts, are ignored.
By definition, in America, only white people can be racist. This is the reason, I believe, minorities feel they can say whatever to whomever; thus, I can call you names, but you can't say it to me. However, in my own study or racism, I have concluded that we need a new definition, and mine is as follows: Racism is anything said, implied, or done to another based on their skin color, nationality, race, or religion, that may be offensive. That pretty much makes us all racist. Therefore, we should choose our words and actions carefully, mindful of who may be offended. Yes, this is hard work, pretty much walking around being careful of what you say. However, the Bible teaches us that words are hurtful, and that there is life and death in the tongue. Granted, we don't always know what may offend another. Therefore, we should be open to feedback when someone reveals that certain words, terms, phrases, or actions are offensive. Now, are babies racist? Not at all. Until a child...
...is able to reason for himself, he continues to only repeat what he hears from others. Through that process, he learns racism. But one will never know about racism if no one informs them.
Wow is anyone home here. Hello. Jesus says that if anyone causes one of these little ones that believe in him to stumble it would be better for them to tie a millstone around their neck and throw themselves in the sea. (paraphrazed) It is pure self abusive racist evil for Newsweek to imply that white babies are racist. Babies come on. This whole idea comes from the Nazi consept of race based blood guilt, they wrongly applied to Jews for "killing Christ" The Nazi belief racist Newsweek teaches believes that guilt can be passed down thrruogh generations. White men GROW Up and start acting like men and refute this racist garbage. Many of you are idolitors who put political correctness above God.
95% of African Americans voted for Obama and 40% of white people. Do you think that race had anythinbg to do with the vote? If any group was considering race and might've been biased, which group do you think it was?
I heard people say they were considering voting for Obama because he was black and others who said they did vote for him because he was black. The issues mattered less than his color.
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