Carol Forsloff —As the publisher of a magazine that deals with humanitarian issues, I believe one cannot write of the problems of the world without looking at America’s greatest one, a problem that led to war and that has maintained bitterness and resentment against a whole race of people for centuries. That is the problem of racial prejudice.
Martin Luther King
Nuanced speech can’t hide the fact that many people in America were not, and still are not, ready for an African American President. But it isn’t polite to say so.
It is not socially appropriate to use the word “nigger” in polite discourse, yet the word is neatly hidden in an underground of conversation where the emphasis is on differences, foreign, not like us, something that has taken the United States to war and through the bitterness of the McCarthy era and other tragic times.
In reflecting on the topic of racial prejudice, it is essential that we examine how America has treated most of its foremost black leaders throughout history. Virtually every one of them has been vilified, condemned with the eighth commandment ignored entirely and figuratively placed in the garbage bin of the worst of human behavior. The accusations leveled against African American leaders violate the commandment against speaking falsehoods against one’s neighbor. The platform used is freedom of speech, which in the modern world has taken the form of license.
Social media, ordinary conversations with acquaintances old and new, and comments on news threads are reminders of one of the worst and most long-lasting problems in the United States. The Southern Poverty Law Center reports that there has never been the level of violent speech and threats against any President in modern history as against Obama. The buzz word isn’t “nigger” but the intention and the insults remain the same, only the key words are “Communist” “Foreigner” “Muslim, ” not like the rest of us.
The vilification of President Barack Obama is only a repeat of long-lasting negative response against black leadership. Martin Luther King was called Communist and traitor and worse. He was the target of FBI witch hunts and personal violence, long before his death at the age of 39. In the McCarthy era, the target was Paul Robeson, whose career in music and the arts was virtually destroyed by right-wing attacks that continue long after the man’s death to the extent that few people, either white or black, young or old, even know of his achievements. These three, Barack Obama, Martin Luther King and Paul Robeson are not the only ones who have suffered insult, constant verbal abuse and hate. The African American community, especially its children, recognize the pattern for what it is, racism and prejudice at its worst, as language and behavior reflect that Obama represents the “nigger” now.
“Nigger” is present in nuanced speech, but remains the same as ever, a blot on the American conscience that will not fade until folks focus on the problem of racism and stand together to fight the awfulness of its result so that every man, woman and child in America is treated justly and with respect in all aspects of life, including politics.
Carol, what a powerful article. I have known and counted many African American’s as friends through my fifty years of life. Most had excelled at whatever they do, as many do in all races. To say that “blacks” are somehow inferior to another race is an attempt to stereotype them based on false predjudices. The same could be said of any race since we all have people that do things that could give very a bad representation of each race. You can’t make a blanket statement that all people in a race are representative of a bad few. Also, we fostered eleven children from 2003 through 2010 and adopted six of those. They are all unique including African American, Mexican, American Indian, and caucasian children. They are all exceptionally bright. None are inferior to the other, instead, each is gifted in different areas. That mirrors all races where you get many gifted in different areas. We feel so blessed each day and hope to continue raising them all with a strong sense of morals and values. That is the key to all races. As long as families are available to carry on traditions of respecting each other, the world will have a chance to overcome these predjudices in time. Thank you again for this article.
Thank you, Ole. Some people have commented on Facebook. I think few people will comment here because the comment is permanent and many folks agree with the comment but don’t want to face the diatribe or what they get from folks in denial.
Carol, sad that anyone needs to be affraid to publically stand up and say what is right. Another interesting though we have had raising these children is when they peel of skin in accidents, we all have the same color pink underneath. There is no color difference under the top layer if skin. Everything else under that top layer is the same across all races. Yes, there are some DNA differences if you want to get technical, but we all have the sane organs, blood, nerves, feelings, and needs. God is the one who breaths life into us all.
Dear Carol, Just returned from Bosnia-Medugorje and read your article. Marvelous, yet sad that the ‘problem of racism’ still exists in the world today. Where, or where have all the ‘humanitarians’ gone to?
As I delve into the depths of my heart and search I can’t help but think about the 21 years I taught in Texas, La. and Mississippi in segregated schools and all I did to help my brothers and sisters in 1963 when segregation was suppose to have ended.
In Asia-Bangladesh with ‘Untouchable Hindus’ and poor Muslims, loving them with all my heart for many years…I would like to say again, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and your article brought back some great experiences of my ’60′ years working with all of God’s beautiful creatures. God will judge my love for them and will not find any prejudice in my heart. Thank you my friend for becoming a major part of the ‘fabric of my life!’ God bless. Sister Martinette
Thank you, Sister, and Ole, two people whose lives have demonstrated great love for humanity.