No Such Thing as “White”

Like many, I was raised and educated in an essentially all “white” world. The impact of racism hit me at age 20 reading a magazine article by a black ND graduate. He described being in a downtown Atlanta hotel lobby, dressed in a business suit and tie, being harshly grilled by hotel security about his purpose for being there. The injustice of this hit me.
 
Recently I attended a lecture at the ND Law School by Ray Hinton, an African-American from Birmingham who spent 30 years on death row in Alabama for murders he did not commit. His book, “The Sun Does Shine,” is eye-opening. Although never was even an apology offered by the state for a blatant miscarriage of justice, he harbored no bitterness. He chooses instead to educate those of us oblivious to our own racial ignorance.
 
A “white” preacher once asked his congregation as he rolled up the sleeve of his robe whether his hand and arm color were truly white. In fact, we are all different shades of tan, brown, and black. Why do we make such sharp and painful distinctions over shades of skin color?
 
As Christian Catholics, it is our eternity-demanding duty to see our loving God in each person we encounter, and to treat everyone with respect and kindness. The simmering unrest and inequalities in our community cry out to all of us. –  Deacon Greg Gehred
 
Your thoughts? Share with us by email:  sjinfo@littleflowerchurch.org.