RACISM
Everyone Is Tired of It & Tired of Talking About It
By Rev. Wayne Perryman
June 5, 2010
Racism is a topic that Whites, Blacks, Asians, Latinos and Native Americans are tired of hearing about and tired of the reality of its existence. They are also tired of the antagonizing approaches by the NAACP, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson when a black is shot by a white police officer or when a black Harvard professor is arrested at his home by a white police officer. These situations seem to only infuriate some, while causing others in their frustration to say: “here we go again.” The sad reality is that no one seem to be willing to talk about racism until there is an incident.
White leaders sit around hoping that it will go away, black leaders sit around waiting for the next incident, and liberal politicians sit around waiting for the next opportunity to use it for political gain. During the interim, no one says: “Come let us reason together.” Instead they sit idly by and let bitterness set in which allows the racial divide to widen. The Bible tells us (Isaiah 1:18-19) if we come and reason together, we will eat the good of the land. In other words, we will find and enjoy the fruits of peace and harmony.
Neither Republican leaders or Democratic leaders have shown any interest in coming together to put this matter to rest. While they refused to address the problem without passing more legislation (which doesn't change hearts), far too many of our church leaders bury their heads in the sand and pretend that the problem doesn't exist. The only activity that seem to be consistent from one incident to the other is our finger-pointing and the “blame game”.
Our schools fuel the fire by implying that only one race is responsible for the problem and that race never had any interest in resolving the problem unless they saw a profit in it for themselves. These same educators fail to acknowledge the role that politics played in establishing the institution of racism (word-wide), nor do they emphasize the positive collective role that whites, blacks and the Christian Church played in trying to eradicate this annoying and sinful disease.
If we are to ever rid ourselves of the finger-pointing and the ridicule associated with racism, we must tell the painful truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth regarding the origin of institutional racism and we must recognize those individuals and institutions that gave their all to destroy it.
I propose that we launch a million dollar plus campaign to bring America together by presenting truths that are not commonly known when discussing the issue of racism. I hope that you will partner with me in this endeavor. Not only will we need the funds to finance this project, we will also need technology experts, conference organizers and film producers. This project will be sponsored by the Legacy of Lincoln Foundation. As stated in the Gettysburg Address, it is only proper that we finish the job that both Lincoln and Dr. King gave their “last full measure of devotion.”
Rev. Wayne Perryman
President, Legacy of Lincoln Foundation
P.O. Box 256
Mercer Island, WA 98040