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Last issue I
shared a few thoughts on the upcoming
Presidential Inauguration and questioned how far
we have truly come toward being a post-racial
America. As I watched the ceremony Tuesday, like
most of you I observed and heard much that
affirms the hope we hold for brighter days.
However, there were also subtle
and, not so subtle, reminders of the
past. I wanted to
prompty address one of these, the closing
prayer, which is the reason for this special
edition of CrossingCurrents.
Clearly, the need is
still present for an ongoing dialogue and
implementation of a strategy to continue
building on the progress we have made as relates
to race. This is why I am looking forward to
sharing more with you, in the near future,
regarding our planned documentary examining the
current state of race
relations.
With Best
Regards,
Bob Waldrep
President,
Crosswinds
Foundation
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Becoming
a Post-Racial America? Part 2
By Bob
Waldrep
 The day before
President Obama took the oath of office I
acknowledged in my blog the magnitude of the
historical moment and that it was, truly,
evidence we have made great advancement as a
country when it comes to race. However, I also
wrote, "The question remains as to how much
farther we must yet travel to truly be "one
people" and 'one America'".
At
least some of the pundits would have us to think
that the trip is not that far, proclaiming we
are already in a "post-racial" America.
Certainly the President did not say or do
anything that might lead us to believe
otherwise. Yet, the reminder of darker times was
still there as evidenced in the Inaugural's
closing prayer by Rev Joseph Lowery, which he
concluded with:
"Lord, in the memory of
all the saints who from their labors rest, and
in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to
help us work for that day when black will not be
asked to get back, when brown can stick around,
when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can
get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what
is right.
Let all those who do justice
and love mercy say amen." [Endquote]
To
this there was a resounding Amen from the
audience, which Rev. Lowery had them repeat two
more times for emphasis.
It struck me
that as he prayed these lines, and the crowd
laughed at them, that we just might still be
bogged down too much in the past; and, that such
old-school rhetoric is not helpful as we move
forward. It appeared the President agrees with
this as he seemed to visibly wince as these
lines were delivered.
The thoughts
expressed by Rev Lowery are not new. They are
found in songs and choruses of the past. Some of
which became part of the history of the civil
rights effort. One is the song Black, Brown, and
White written by...[CLICK HERE TO
READ THE ENTIRE STORY] |
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We would
love to hear your thoughts on this issue,
or others that concern you.
Please let
us know if you have any questions or of we might
be of assistance to you. If you would like an
information packet on a particiular subject or
issue just send us an email, identifying your
request, to: info@crosswindsfoundation.org | | |
