The Castle Lady: January 2021

We are human beings, not rational ones. – Shirley Hazzard

There is no subject I’d rather avoid than that of racism. Not only would I rather avoid the subject, it is one I abhor discussing with people. I hate it when I hear people using racist jargon or epithets. I’m not afraid of dealing with racists but I simply cannot stand dealing with them. You can’t get racists off their pet subject once they commence their tirades and quite honestly, I cannot breathe the foulness of the air they exhale. Those two last mentioned are the trademark of racism. These people are destroyers of good relationships and the well being of mankind.

A problem this deep in the human heart has wide ranging effects. I wish I could say that these people do not proliferate by reproducing heirs but as a matter of fact it is their primary source of recruiting followers. Followers, often, are a captive audience, unfortunately. That fact is self-evident. Racism is a pandemic that is not only killing people, it is tearing the souls of children to octogenarians apart like the plague. If it was possible for a shot to attack this problem at the source you can bet I would volunteer to do the inoculation. Alas, if only it were as simple as that- but the causes and spread of racism is much too complex!

It is not some strange coincidence that racism has reared its ugly head so high during the Covid-19 crisis here in the United States. During times of social distress this strange ‘r’ word crops up because it is the perfect environment for its proliferation. When people become irrational they will use words they would rather repress. They do things to other people that otherwise they would shrink from carrying out. Truth is not in racism but loves to twist and distort it, especially within us. All kinds of people are victims and perpetrators of racism. Does that surprise you? It shouldn’t.

I have heard and seen racist remarks and discriminatory actions out of every manner, color (skin and hair!), ethnicity, size and intelligence measure of human beings because I’ve been on this planet for some number of years. I’ve gone past being appalled at much of it in the same way one starts to tolerate abuse because of prevalence. I have come to use the following quote on many occasions for this very reason. This one comes from Henri DuBois…

“A man does not look behind a door unless he has stood there himself.”

Hmm. Are you puzzled at this quote? You won’t be the first person. In a way, you have to try picturing yourself in this quote and if you can’t, then pat yourself on the back. If your ears are burning inexplicably then you might want to search your heart. What I’m trying to get at is this: racists don’t see themselves as any such thing. “What? Me? A racist? Never.” All the while they are saying this, another dialogue is going on in their head that they’d never reveal to people. In addition, even the most vocal of racists will deny it openly and with vehemence. Mr. Trump is a prime example of the latter. He views himself as a victim when people don’t agree with him. His mental illness is not unique. The events on January 6^th in Washington, D.C. are proof of this fact.

Rioting protesters are not ‘off the hook’, either. These are not the actions of someone grappling with discrimination or prejudice. Their actions do not display the reactions of someone being victimized. I would not deny someone the right or the inclination to stand up for themselves. It’s the hallmark of being a U.S. citizen. Our freedoms are a right, it is clear. What is not clear is why anyone would believe that striking back in violence would achieve a peaceful end. It won’t. They have become what they claim to detest. A racist.

Am I judging people fairly? I believe so. I do not look to skin color, appearance, weight or height, I.Q. or country of origin to make my decision when I judge. I listen to what comes out of their mouths because…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (Matthew 12:34). I take notice of how they treat people and not just those who are easy to deal with but all people. Does this person bore you? Listen to what they have to say anyway. Does this person yell racial epithets? Be kind regardless. If you want to end the violence it has to be done in peace. There is no other way. Jesus did this on the cross but we can turn the other cheek and achieve the same results. As John Lennon once sang, “Give peace a chance.”