I am surprised by the lack of outrage, anger, and sadness I see on Facebook these last 24 hours. After other shootings, tragedies, acts of terror, my feed is filled with emotion. But not now. Are we numb? Are we weary of weeping for each other? Maybe. Probably. I also think it is something else.
This act of terrorism was committed by a white, upper class man – citizen of the U.S. I am wondering if that is the hurdle that people cannot get over. He is us White Mainstream America. This person could be our husband, brother, father. That puts us in denial. We do not want to believe that “our well-adjusted, law abiding people” could be capable of this behavior. We are more comfortable throwing stones at people of color, Muslims and even white supremacists simply because we can distance ourselves from them. We “other” them. They are not like us. But they are like us…and we are like them.
How do we tell the truth? How will we share the power and the blame in our communities and our country so that we begin to change and heal?
There is no one in control in Washington D.C. No one is leading. They have abdicated their power. When there is a vacuum of power…it gets filled.
So how will we, White Mainstream America, take the first step towards humility and reconciliation with all those we have marginalized and suppressed so that we can begin to be community together?
How will I and you and us change so that our communities begin to look more like the Beloved Community of Bonhoeffer and King and, yes, Christ?
I would love to see my Facebook Feed filled with acts of humility, reconciliation and compassion. And conversation moving us forward as a people.
~ Pam
This act of terrorism was committed by a white, upper class man – citizen of the U.S. I am wondering if that is the hurdle that people cannot get over. He is us White Mainstream America. This person could be our husband, brother, father. That puts us in denial. We do not want to believe that “our well-adjusted, law abiding people” could be capable of this behavior. We are more comfortable throwing stones at people of color, Muslims and even white supremacists simply because we can distance ourselves from them. We “other” them. They are not like us. But they are like us…and we are like them.
How do we tell the truth? How will we share the power and the blame in our communities and our country so that we begin to change and heal?
There is no one in control in Washington D.C. No one is leading. They have abdicated their power. When there is a vacuum of power…it gets filled.
So how will we, White Mainstream America, take the first step towards humility and reconciliation with all those we have marginalized and suppressed so that we can begin to be community together?
How will I and you and us change so that our communities begin to look more like the Beloved Community of Bonhoeffer and King and, yes, Christ?
I would love to see my Facebook Feed filled with acts of humility, reconciliation and compassion. And conversation moving us forward as a people.
~ Pam
