The following is Blog number thirty-seven and is part of the ongoing Racial Reconciliation in America Series. This blog entry seeks to posit Racial Reconciliation in America and is entitled – Racial Reconciliation in America – What is it?

RACIAL RECONCILIATION

WHAT IS IT?

AS IT IS WRITTEN: “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” (Matthew 5:23-25 : KJV). These are the words of Jesus Christ.

Webster’s Online Dictionary defines “racial” in this fashion: "ra·cial

 adjective \ˈrā-shəl\

: relating to or based on race

: existing or happening between people of different races Full Definition of RACIAL 1:  of, relating to, or based on a race <a racial minority> 2:  existing or occurring between races <racial equality>"

Webster’s Online Dictionary defines “reconcile” in this fashion: "rec·on·cile

 verb \ˈre-kən-ˌsī(-ə)l\

: to find a way of making (two different ideas, facts, etc.) exist or be true at the same time to cause people or groups to become friendly again after an argument or disagreement rec·on·ciled rec·on·cil·ing Full Definition of RECONCILE  transitive verb 1a : to restore to friendship or harmony <reconciled the factions> b : settle, resolve <reconcile differences>2: to make consistent or congruous <reconcile an ideal with reality> 3 : to cause to submit to or accept something unpleasant<was reconciled to hardship> 4 a :  to check (a financial account) against another for accuracy b :  to account for"

Raced based reconciling in the United States of America is a quest that has never been undertaken; it was a missed opportunity at the end of Slavery, Reconstruction of the Union and at the end of the Jim Crow Laws. So we reckon that as a historical matter, harmony is by no means a description of the interchange between White folk and Black folk in the United States. The interchange of these two cultures has ranged from brutality to animus with un-forgiveness. Therefore to put in harmony that which has never known harmony fits the description: problematic. Yet, to reconcile the Black and White race is truly an amazing idea that must beg the question: what is it? What is racial reconciliation in America?

Is racial reconciliation in America a quest to create harmony between Blacks and Whites? Is this some resolving of past hatreds wrong doing and un-forgiveness? Is it an accounting, a time of reckoning between these two very different cultures? Is it merely a setting right of the historical grievances between the two races?

Perhaps racial reconciliation is all of these things. One wants more than to simply say racial reconciliation is something that people will know when they see it! Allusive like other very difficult concepts that one might speak of and has never actually seen to exist, racial reconciliation embodies the concept: miracle. We desire over a series of commentary to paint a picture of what racial reconciliation should at least look like for the sake of hope if nothing else.

Let us posit for now that racial reconciliation: is as a movement in America with goals and objectives. Included in these are:

1.  To rein in the principles behind the race based practices which pit one race against  another in America.

2. To curtail the methodologies that minimizes access to The Resource Bundle in  America.

3.  To unleash practices that will actually make America a more perfect Union.