A New Day Dawns

I sit here in utter awe of the most incredible spectacles of humankind - the
peaceful transfer of governmental power.  We take it for granted, yet it rarely
occurs.  This one even more so, because it gives so many people the thing
they've been missing for so long now - hope.  Hope for the greatness that
America can be.  No longer will we tell the world the we are right because we
are strong.  Rather, we are strong because we make the effort to find right.  We
cannot predict the hearts of people tomorrow, but today - today we are on the
cusp of history. Today transcends.  Today is not a day of infamy, but one of
eternity.  Do not take it for granted that you can make a difference.

The Great Divide

Someone I trust explicitly recently suggested to me that I might not call people out on things often enough because I don’t leave open the option that they are simply unaware. I don’t think that is really true - it’s more like making a judgment call on a person in a dominant group who holds a bigoted view. I just don’t like to expend the energy arguing with bigots that have no desire to meet me anyplace in the conversation, anyway.

The other day, though, I had the opportunity to put that theory to the test. I took a trip down to the book store to peruse some new releases when I sat down in the café with a few selections. I happened to glance over at a fellow drinking a grande latte whatthenutzever (I had a simple cup of coffee – but you can’t just ask for a cup of coffee, you have to call it an “Americano,” WHATEVER, but that’s a different story). I notice the guy has a copy of Rural Radicals by Catherine McNichol Stock – a very good book, if you haven’t read it I suggest you put it on your list.

Anyway, I casually say, “Interesting book, isn’t it?”

The guy looks me over and finally replies, “Yeah, if you find bullshit interesting.”

At this point I’m pretty sure I’m talking to a person whose thought this through. After all, he’s clearly reading an opposing perspective, which is a sign of someone who’s REALLY explored the position. This voice, however, one that can rip through any defense I create, comes from the back of my mind, and in a whisper that stops me cold says, “I didn’t hear the words ‘I know’ out of you.”

I sigh, and slowly put down my book, put my hands on my head, lean back in my chair and say, “Ok, tell me why it’s bullshit.”

“I s’pose you agree that small town Americans are all just a bunch of hateful racists?”

“Hardly,” I retort, I suppress the urge to add I also find a bunch of them to be sexist, and homophobic, “I am as small town as they come, and I’m not any of those things, and maybe your not either, but we’d be hard-pressed to deny that we don’t know a bunch of people in our communities who fit the bill.” “Besides,” I continued, “I’ve read the book and that isn’t what it’s about. It traces a bias in rural culture that exists in this country, at least as far back as before the revolution, and links it to the ideologies of hate groups like Nazis, the KKK, the Patriot Movement (someday I’m going to write a piece about those hateful whackers), militias, and Identity Christians. It also connects the philosophy to the guys who sit around drinking a couple, but don’t belong to any of those groups per se, but on some level share in their rhetoric.”

The guy remains silent.

In my mind I’m high-fiving myself because I think I just made one hell of an argument and now I’m really feeling it, so I move in with the coup de grace. “What the book really says,” I continue, “is that the real danger is when folks like you and me are ignorant that it exists. More frequently, however, we deny, dismiss, or excuse it. Then not only are we painted with that brush, but we actually helped paint the fence.”

Wham. Man, I am good. This is going to be a good day.

“I guess that’s the way you liberals nut cases see it.”

What? He’s the one drinking the Frappy Crappywhozmajigger and I’m the nut case? I bite my tongue and don’t mention that the only party I’ve ever belonged to was the Republican Party (I’m an independent these days), worked on John McCain’s last presidential campaign, and that this year will likely result in an exponential increase in ballots I’ve cast for Democrats in one election.

“Liberals would probably take exception to you including me in their little group,” is my reply, instead.

With that the guy gets up and walks toward me. I’m not too worried because I’m quite a bit bigger and figure I still have one or two good ones left in me just in case.

He stops at the edge of my table and speaks in a low tone so only I can hear him. “It’s the niggers, Mexicans, and the nigger and Mexican lovers like you that are just driving a bigger wedge between those with power and those without. In fact, you look a little dark, maybe you have some bad blood in you.”

Now it’s my turn to be silent. Then I look him square in the eye and say, “I imagine you’d have said the same thing to Jesus.”

He starts to walk away, but as he does says loud enough for others to hear, “it’s a sad day when you can’t sit and enjoy a cup of coffee anymore.”

No, what’s sad is the mind of this person and people like him.

Without a doubt, I am at the very least an economic populist by both nature and observation, and I’m proud to declare myself to be one. I believe in the regular person. I know where the divide lies. That is why I find it repulsive when people take the rhetoric of “powerful” versus “powerless” and co-opt it to advance a bigoted agenda.

For folks like this it isn’t really about giving power to the powerless, but rather looking to assert their “right” to power at the expense of “others.” They believe that they are entitled to something that someone else is less worthy of receiving.

Specifically, in these cases it is white and male that is viewed as entitled. Make no mistake about that. Women are allowed a certain level of privilege as long as they do not overstep their bounds. Don’t believe me? Read the stories of some of the women who have sought to assert their own voice after being associated with hate groups, or any group that espouses the dominance of one group over another for that matter, and then lets have that conversation.

My curiosity aroused, I headed to the Southern Poverty League website. They keep track of hate group activity and I wanted to see how things stacked up in 2008. Well, even I was startled to find that no less than 67 listed hate groups within the state of Texas (we lead the nation), and that as late as September 3^rd, "A noose was left in the office chair of Abilene Christian University's student body president, who is black.” Which, I find it hard to imagine being remotely reminiscent of anything Jesus would do. Not a very glowing example of Christian goodwill!

Now before you start in with the "there’s not just white hate groups out there" argument let me be clear that the SPL list includes groups like La Raza, The Nation of Islam, and The New Black Panthers so it’s equal opportunity in identifying bigots. That still leaves us standing at 64, which you must admit is quite a few. That doesn’t even account for any of the discriminatory teachings overlooked in traditional churches and other civil groups.

Neither does it include anyone who silently assents, or makes innocuous jokes, or shares a knowing glance, or is repulsed at the thought of their child finding love outside of their race. Nor does it excuse those of us excuse these thoughts as a product of society, or just the way things are, or the perpetrator not knowing any better. Lastly it doesn’t excuse me for not calling it out when I see it because I think there’s some more productive way to spend my time.

No, we haven’t solved the blight of discrimination in this country – we’ve swept it under the rug. Yesterday, the news brought us reports of a plot to kill 88 and then decapitate an additional 14 blacks (those numbers being significant to white supremacists), and culminating in the assassination of Barack Obama. Also in yesterday’s news was the story about the theft of a road sign commemorating a black child murdered during the civil rights movement. Statistics estimate that today more than 350 women will be the victims of rape today. More than 8000 other women will suffer some other form of violent assault today.

This is progress?

Anybody who holds on to the deluded notion that the real victim in today’s society is the white male needs to check the facts. In fact, I am ready – name the time, name the date, and I’m happy to so up to point it out. It generally turns out that given identical circumstances any perceived “reverse discrimination” dries up. Now you might want to take a look at the system itself, but then we really have a class issue and not a race issue, don't we? That's because the problem is this system of identity that allows us to blame victims.

There’s a problem, and the real problem isn’t the ones making the noise and waving their flags and signs of hate. The real problem is with those that quietly cheer them on. If you fail to confront it you are part of the problem. If you allow it you are condoning it. The most difficult finger to point is the one in your own direction. I am pointing one at me because I will no longer be silent.

Now is the time to decide – what will you overlook in your own sphere?

The Language of America

As we celebrate Free Speech Week, I am reminded that a debate continues to swirl around the question of the "official" language of America. As if somehow the language we speak could ever be mistaken as the True definition of "America." Undoubtedly, language influences culture, but it is naive, at best, to think that language begets character. It may well influence what lies underneath, but dialect is nothing to be feared. Words, on the other hand, are powerful and allow a glimpse into character. Dialect is simply a conveyance.

It is from an understanding of that perspective that I'd ask you to read these words:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Eloquent and beautifully articulated, this is truly the "Official" Language of America. It is an assertion of character. Regardless of dialect, the power of the words do not change. Throw it in any online translator you like, you might even discover a more aesthetically pleasing translation, the character remains intact - unshakable and firm.

Unfortunately, too many people these days seem to either hide behind these words or leave to others the task of keeping them safe. So, this Freedom of Speech Week I encourage you to do one thing - dissent. Find at least one thing that violates the Truth and speak out about it. I don't care what it is, or how trivial you might think it is - dissent. I know full well that dissent comes with consequence. Free speech, clearly, isn't without cost. I implore you, however, to do your share to foot the bill.

Don't ever forget that a personal insult is never limited to simply you personally. It is an affront to everyone who is like you. When you remain silent you silence all of the voices you can speak for. When you remain silent you give license to "keep it behind closed doors," which imprisons others who don't hold a key. When you remain silent, you become complicit because silence is always viewed as consent.

Celebrate Free Speech Week. Speak. Find your voice. Use your True language. Ignore dialect. Dissent.

Welcome to the Edge!

Welcome to my new blog! I hope you find it, at the very least, thought provoking. I look forward to sharing my thought, rants, and ramblings on the things that weave their way through the corners of my mind. Sometimes it's issues of the day, or it might be something more abstract. Sometime it might even be something really important like a snazzy new place I've discovered to grab a nosh! Believe me, there isn't any shortage of thoughts running around this noggin. Regardless, you can rest assured your reading my honest thoughts and quite possibly a glimpse at how I arrived there. So, welcome, damn the consequences, and may be peace be the journey!

Remember - "If you're not on the edge, you're taking up too much space..."