The Racism That Resides Within Us Causes the "F" Bomb!

Even in 2009, the beginning of the 21ST century,becoming the leader who has earned the title
racism is still prevalent because of a lack of"United States Marine."
understanding and moral blindness; it has birthedA Marine and his/her sword regard with feelings
many of society's ills and significantly fails toof respect and reverence; consider hallowed or
appreciate the many differences in the biologicalexalted and they are in awe of their own will to
and physical characteristics of individuals. It is awin through the efforts of others. They marvel
cause for wonder.at genius, a feeling of profound respect for
"Racism is conditioned by economic imperatives,someone or the mission they are assigned to
but negotiated through culture: religion, literature,accomplish. They too fear that which is not
art, science and the media... Once, they demonizedunderstood, but they carry with them a culture of
the blacks to justify slavery. Then theyhonor, respect, tradition, resilience, excellence and
demonized the "colored" to justify colonialism.perfection in performance that overcomes the
Today, they demonize asylum seekers to justifyactual fear that they face. This form of
the ways of globalism. And, in the age of thereverence overcomes the destruction that
media... demonization sets out the parameters ofopposes harmony or community, the enslaved
popular culture within which such exclusion finds itsmisunderstood mindsets that keeps division.
own rationale - usually under the guise ofSo, why do we fear what is not understood? One
xenophobia, the fear of strangers." - Awonders. You may recall that as a very young
Sivanandan, Extracted from Race & Classchild, you were usually free from fear. You may
(Vol. 43, no. 2, October-December 2001).be swinging at the playground, racing your buddy
Racism causes us to speak the four letter "F"to see who could go the highest and ready to
word found in our daily language. It is thejump, or about to fuse a firecracker - you aren't
birthplace of discrimination, separation andscared and the unknown for the immediate future
segregation, byproducts of a racist mentality dueis also not understood. Can we call it something
to ignorance. It is a mechanism that allows aother than fear, such as bravery? Absolutely not;
roaring emotional state due to remembrance andbeing unaware of the misunderstood is a means
the verbal expression that commonly articulatesto grasp the opportunity for further education -
surprise, shock and anger when it shows its uglyone that is freed from fear. So, at this very early
face. It doesn't matter the lens that racism isstage in life, children are guided by their parents,
looked through, how it's filtered to shed reasonguardians and well-wishers in ways that teaches
for its cause or who is right because ofthem to conqueror their fears, only in some
circumstance, racism, or its perceived behavioralcases, fears are placed within them that they do
influence and re-action causes behaviors that arenot own - racism. It is at this early stage and
against the values that humanity is designed. And,time that adults must carry the Mameluke Sword
the convicted parties on all sides demonstrateand teach the perfections that will etch the
that all too familiar four letter "F" word thatsuperb castings of our future - the children. And,
expresses the emotion that everyone hasprepare them through teachings of the Lord: "to
experienced at one time or another in their life -love thy neighbor as you would want them to
FEAR!love you."
Racism and fear are synonymous of one another,We must get back to the basics and principles
both causing people to feel anxious orthat have been afforded us by the men and
apprehensive about a possible or probablewomen who have laid the foundations of a great
situation, circumstance or event. They are usedrace - humanity - which is unique. Each individual
to introduce unpleasant statements or emotionsregardless of race or gender is special in a way
experienced in anticipation of some specific pain,that teaches others to become a better quality
danger and uneasy or apprehensive concernand quantity to life. Most importantly, we must
(usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight).teach our children (and adults who act as children
The fear is due to the conviction that theeven when they are greatly respected) that
members of one specific group are inherentlyhumans actually have more in common than not.
superior to the members of other groups. ThisEven science agrees to this point and it is
conviction is often manifested by discriminatorysupported by the Bible. Acts 17:26 (King James
behaviors and practices towards the members ofVersion) declares, "And hath made of one blood all
the supposed inferior groups.nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the
Now that the lessons for racism have beenearth, and hath determined the times before
defined, let's talk of ways to overcome the fearsappointed, and the bounds of their habitation." This
that ultimately lead to the sword of demise. Yes,makes us know that all mankind has the same
the word sword is used because it is often seenorigin, indeed we are one race of human beings.
as an instrument of death and destruction. But,The diversity and uniqueness of both people and
since we are focusing on bringing a resolution tonations are manifestations of God's awesome
the forefront of the issues that stem fromcreativity and power.
racism and fear, we can learn from one of theBut, the battle wages on in us all, regardless of
greatest swords in the world, carried by men andhow one feels. The moral blindness of racism fails
women of one of the very best organizationsto appreciate that the differences that we all
that produces the top leaders on the globe - aoffer to one another. Do we ever spare a
premium grade Mameluke Sword and the Unitedthought about how a child would cope with the
States Marine Corps.unknown or misunderstood? At a time where the
Just like our U.S. Marines who always seekUnited States of America has come together, in
improvement, the Mameluke Sword is symbolic ofthe majority - all races and both genders - to
excellence. The blade is already beautifullyelect the first African American President, we still
prepared; the craftsmanship is refined and etchedhave stories in the media that instructs to our
to perfection. When presented to a U.S. Marinechildren that we have not grown up to lead by
Corps officer, the sword consists of absolutelyexample. It is here that we forget that the child
superb castings (the drag on scabbard and the(and again, the adult who acts and speaks as a
acorns on the hilt) and carries with it a traditionchild) must be taught to deal with and overcome
that lives on almost as a mythical legend. Thethe bullies of life - racism and fear.
sword represents a certified metaphor ofWe must teach them to carry their own swords
performance, now enlisted to the men andas a metaphor of performance. To become the
women who are "expected" to perform as theleaders - men and women, young and old - of all
best the world has to offer. To some, the U.S.races and endeavors, who seek to better
Marine Corps offers imagery of an organizationthemselves and others each day of their life.
led by old military commanders seeking to wageThey must be taught to love to win, yet they
battle. This remains largely dubious, especially inthink beyond themselves. They must be taught
today's increasingly complex, networked world.to love to compete, yet show compassion for
Rather, they are leaders - men and women,their fellow human beings. And, they must be
young and old - of all races and endeavors whotaught to see no race, yet "understand" that each
seek to better themselves and others each dayindividual is seen as special with something to
of their life. They love to win, yet they thinkteach and offer to the world.
beyond themselves. They love to compete, yetThis my friends is the only way to journey the
they show compassion for their fellow humanright of passage - the rigors, disciplines, decisions,
beings. And, they see no race, yet each individualpains and defeats - of becoming the people who
is seen as crossing the right of passage - thehave truly earned the right to wear the title, a
rigors, disciplines, decisions, pains and defeats - of"LEADER.