The following is blog post number seventeen: and it is entitled: What I Believe.

WHAT I BELIEVE

I have a precious niece on the West Coast who sent me a Facebook message last night while I was sleeping. She wanted to let me know that she was going to read my blog. She also wanted to let me know that she does not believe in perfection or in religion. So that's how I have started my day! :-) It was the first thing that I saw on here. I so love this woman, my sister’s baby for the rest of her life.

Her comment prompts me to provide a “what I believe” message for all of you just in case it matters to you. What I believe is Jesus Christ and all that is contained in who He is; including that He came to Earth to change things back to the way that they were originally meant to be. That informs the basis of what I believe. More specifically, this is what without equivocation I believe:
1) Love fellowship eternal life and power over evil is the inheritance that Jesus Christ gave to me; I receive that inheritance with great reverence humility and gratitude.
2) I walk this Earth in power and I will never die. I will not be amazed if someday that I am just gone. That I just leave here.
3) I believe that a human spirit that has truly accepted Jesus Christ becomes perfect when that happens.
4) I believe that my spirit is the real me and is perfect.
5) I believe that every single day my soul remains at war with me and is close to defeat. I pray that I dominate my soul every single day.
6) I believe that my physical body which houses my spirit and my soul is at war with aging and the elements.
7) I believe most of all that LOVE never fails. That LOVE is sacrifice. If a failure happened love had nothing whatsoever to do with the matter.

Now as regards my blog. As a human being we dwell in the realm of what appears to be impossible. Become Perfect! Racial Reconciliation in America! Impossible concepts in which to dwell and yet that is where we choose to dwell. You know what? I should probably post this. Think I will do that.

I would appreciate it if everyone takes the time and reads the blog. If you do you will find that it is really mostly about love, which quite frankly is all that I am about. Right now on the blog I am engaged in trying to do what my high school mates and I said that we were going to do: make the nation a better place. I believe that we will not get better unless we are better. That is something that first requires wanting to be. There will always be some hold outs to comity, but that should be such a small group that their influence is not controlling.

If we continue with all of this anger bitterness hatred and resentment witnessed today: as a nation we will never become what we were supposed to be. This nation is doomed if we do not change. We will be destroyed from within. Of this we are certain.  I owe to my children and their children a better place than this. I may sound preachy, but don't we all have a dog in this fight? At the core: love hope and change, that is what the blog is really about; an attempt to make the United States a better country for our kids and their kids.

As always I love ya'll, and thank you Jesus!

The following is Blog post number sixteen; part of our ongoing series: Racial Reconciliation in America, presented in celebration of Black History Month. It is entitled: "How Do Black Folk Offend White folk?"

RACIAL RECONCILIATION IN AMERICA

How Do Black Folk Offend White Folk?

In accordance with the thought: revelation comes before reconciliation; there must be the uncomfortable and critically important conversation about offenses. We must first actually begin an honest discussion about race. Yes a race based discussion that regards the people of the United States of America, particularly Black and White folk. The “honest” is the issue. Of course we have questions and doubts.

Can there be an “honest no wholes barred” discussion? Can we as a people of offended races actually be for real with one another? Can we who are simply tired of the thought of race even engage? Can a real race based dialogue even happen nationally? Can those of us who are from the Sixties Generation actually do what we said we were going to do: Change America from hate to love? Are we too old and is it too late? Well, to all of these questions we simply answer, "Lord help our children if we don't at least give it a go!" Besides for us old folk it might just be fun to get back into a reality of: "The Cause."

Knowing full well that it is true, let us all admit that each racial group has actually been an offense to another. Regarding this text, the discussion can only be done in generalities. It should be obvious that not every person of any race is obligated by or for, any of the offenses committed by members of their racial group. Sadly, though some would like to just be considered a member of one race; that being the human race, others will just not allow that to be the case. It is a conundrum to be sure.

Therein is just one of the difficulties as we shall see going forward. By no means can a discussion here be all encompassing. Not every race based offense can be revealed in this text. What we believe the Holy Spirit was telling us in 2007, was that a time would come when a conversation would be held that is intended to be the first and last: "Great Racial Dialogue in America" established for a defined purpose: “To put at the rear the offenses and to put at the front a reconciliation of racial offense. To a place where the nation is healed and the racial divisions are put asunder.”

The time is now. The hope has begun that a nation will become inspired unto the beginning of a real race based dialogue. There will be a discussion of solutions much later. Some of the ground has been laid. Also contained in these texts and within the realities of offense there may be some explanation of problem resolution, however that is not the purpose of this particular area of the discovery process.

Now is simply to put forth revelation. Taken from the book Become Perfect 2007© is an enhanced; hopefully abbreviated version of the section: How Do Black Folk Offend White Folk? There is another section of the book that reverses this question and will be presented for discovery.

May words never come forth from our lips that are for the purpose of anyone's pain. Nay, let it be our purpose to provoke thought and legitimate discussion. May the discussion lead to a good place. The goal of this particular text is to simply suggest what some of the causes are for disconnects between the races.

Now, this text is certainly not meant to encompass all of the possibilities of offense, just those suggested here which include the following:

●In the view of some, the most fundamental offense of the Black human being is one of genetics.  And in the view of some Black genetics is the most disadvantaged reality of birth. Yet, genetics could very well be the greatest power of the Black human being. More so than any other racial groups, the gene of a Black human being is a color-dominating and truly transformative gene. All of the other profound powers attendant to this gene need not be characterized here. We posit simply by its truly transformative nature, that the Black gene is the most powerful of all genes.

In this we do not posit superiority but more change influencing. As such: for some who are White, the Black gene represents the potential of White race eradication. Therefore, to some Whites, the very existence of the Black human being is a threat to the continuation of the purity of the White gene and therefore the purity/existence of the White race. Now of course science tells us through DNA technology that there is no such thing as an unmixed gene. If science is to be believed all human creation began on the Continent of Africa.

In addition there is the reality of race mixing that has already occurred; if current revelations are accurate regarding genetics the human family is shall we say complex. Race mixing has its detractors. Indeed if race mixing is allowed unfettered proliferation the Black gene has demonstrated the power to change the White gene significantly.

There is broad belief that race mixing undeterred has the ability to end the White race as a mere point of fact. Conversely, in race mixing the White gene has no such dominating impact. The consequence of White/Black race mixing is the production of a “Colored” people. No longer Black and definitely not White. Race mixing combined with the current level of migration of Brown and Black races to the United States, combined with current levels of race mixing, is to the chagrin of some, what is called “The Browning of America.” To some this is an offense.
We contend that mere facts support the feelings of a threat if someone cares about such things as having and being a member of a specific race. By the legitimacy of facts, in our opinion, it is the height of insensitivity of Black folk to not appreciate and understand this. We posit that this is an absolutely legitimate fear on the part of any White human beings who cares about such matters. How one manages this fear is the matter relevant to all other races of people.
To ignore this and callously say, “who cares” is unloving mean spirited and therefore insensitive. Fundamentally this emotional expression is to not attempt to relate; therefore no foundation of concord can be reached. Better it is to accept and say: "I get that, but the alternative makes no sense either. That is if the alternative is to deny the heart what the heart wants." Since no one is going to leave the country there is likely no good answer to the race mixing question.

Even so, as a matter of self-preservation how the White human being is allowed to maintain its gene protection is a relevant discussion in our opinion. Of course there is the question of White Supremacy, or lack of such that could be discussed, though we do not accept such a premise simply based on certain facts. Suffice to say that the superior gene is likely the dominate gene. The gene that contains the power of eradication in the appearance of a skin color is probably the dominate gene. As a factual matter the White gene looses any battle between the two genes as it relates to maintaining a White only skin color. Black genetics is therefore an offense for some White folks.

●In the view of some, Black folk are just too doggone loud and indiscrete! To some White folk Blacks are a course people who have no regard for other people when they are in public places. Some believe that Blacks often use profane language in abundance: mainly the words nigger and motherfucker even in the presence of children and White people.

It is the opinion of some folk, not just White folk, that in the shopping malls, on the sidewalk, in the parking lot; even on the elevator, some Blacks communicate too loudly and profanely. Furthermore that they often become confrontational if they feel that they are being looked upon negatively. Though for Blacks this is not a universal conduct there certainly is such conduct by some. This is not only offensive it is very frightening and not only to White folk.

●In the view of some Whites, Blacks represent a danger to their children and cultural mores, as a result of Black influences upon Popular Culture. Certainly it can be said that the influence of what is called “Hip-Hop and Rap Music” and some popular Black Motion Pictures have had an affect on White children and even some young adults. 

This can be seen in styles of dress, language and verbalization, codes of conduct and mannerism that some view akin to Black youth. The reflection of some forms of the prison culture that has seeped into the Black culture such as the “sagging pants” phenomenon is an offense. There are some who consider the influence of Blacks on the younger generation of Whites as a good thing that has improved relations between the races; some Whites are offended by this notion and its factual reality.

Some suggest that what has occurred is simply a “coarsening of society” and that this is an offense. Some folks suggest that this is what is behind a desire to return to a so-called “better time” a time represented by a Pre-1960’s American culture. This is also viewed by some as what is meant by the phrase: "We must take our nation back."

●In the view of some, the manner of Black engagement in business and politics is an offense to the White human being. The perception of capital combined with the seeming inability of Blacks to coalesce around a philosophy of Black capital aggregation is an offense in the view of some who are White. There is a lack of “do-it-yourself” within the Black-American reality in the opinion of some White-Americans. Many White folk believe that Black folk need to “fix their own problems” and not rely on White folk for help. This is an opinion that we share. There is a view by some Whites that Blacks have an expectation of White altruism in order to change the condition of say a Black Community.

Altruism should not be a requirement, for investing in a community development project. However, altruism may be, the only reason that capital comes in, as the economics might not be there; yet, the need for capital investment certainly may exist. We have seen and been part of such development and business activities.

The Black politics associated with those who are putting no “skin in the game” yet have enormous influence over what happens within a community development project; totally funded with capital aggregated by a White person, is an offense to some. Some of the unyielding politics, not only put constraints on a project’s development, often these politics, put at risk the return on capital investment, and this is an offense to some.
Often, these Black politics do in fact, put in jeopardy successful project development. It is also an offense, that there is a seeming attitude among some Blacks, that putting White owned capital at risk is somehow a thing that Whites should do; rather than, something that a White developer should be appreciated for having taken significant financial and personal risk to do.

●There is another offensive aspect, regarding Black enterprise, as it is observed by some White folk. This has to do with Blacks engaging in business activity intra-racially. An offense is held by some White folk, with what is about to be discussed here at length. We have witnessed White folk clandestinely participate in the following activity with intent and purpose. In regions, particularly outside of the South, there is a “Crab in the Barrel” mentality among Black entrepreneurs, politicos and people of influence; who compete for both relationships, positioning, and for opportunity of all types.

The competition is as always about some aspect of The Resource Bundle and how one can profit from its access. This competition is rooted in the attempt for a perceived closeness to power over The Resource Bundle, in other words, closeness to White Privilege.

Vying for resource opportunity, by attempting to develop relationships of influence with White men, is historically problematic for the Black human being; this dates back to the days of Slavery and Reconstruction. In the Black world this is known as “The Crab in the Barrel.” Depicting as a human behavioral model represented in the natural world this has to do with crabs in a barrel: “one crab pulling down, other crabs,” climbing on top of one another as they are all trying to get out of the bottom of the barrel. The intent of the crab is to escape their bad situation and by any means necessary.

As a metaphor, today this behavior reflects upon Black-American intra-racial competitiveness. As a matter of history, some slaves, worked and very often, lived in the main house on a Slave plantation. The “field slaves” worked much harder under the whip lash and sun. Guilt, jealousy and resentment often resulted. The “field slave” received the harsher treatment; the “house slave” was typically closer to the “master.”

Often, the “house slave” was allowed to learn to read, while the “field slave,” was not. The “house slave,” was often referred to as: “Uncle Tom,” by the “field slave,” because of the “house slave’s” own conduct: often one of superiority or, because of the simple jealousies, held by those slaves with lesser access to White Privilege.

Over the process of time, fissures within the Slave community were established, as a result of oppression generally; the destruction of families specifically, and the establishment of a hierarchical Slave structure. The slave constructs continue to this very hour, though the Black-American is a free human being. The concepts of “house” versus “field;” the “dark skin” versus “light skin” “educated” versus “uneducated” remain today as classist fissures within the Black experience. “Uncle Tom” is a very accusatory; uncomplimentary label! The use of this pejorative, by those of less privilege, continues to be used today, against some, who are perceived to have succeeded. Meaning, that those Black-Americans, who have achieved a high degree, of success in life.

This pejorative is used particularly, against those Blacks perceived to have close relationships with White Privilege; who communicate about Blacks, in the same often negative manner that some Whites may communicate about Blacks. Whether or not the communication is based in truth, or based in misconception and stereotypes developed by Whites, or the actual behavior projected by some who are Black. This “psyche hold-over” from Slavery, is the genesis, of such foolishness today, as an example: among the young, who are taunted out of excelling in education.

 The taunt that, because one seeks to better their own life, is to suggest that one thinks they are better, or smarter. That they think they are “White.” This taunting, by the way, is not a new phenomenon. Rather a matter of historical conduct within the American Black experience.

Let it be known, one is not better, who seeks to get a good education, one is for sure smarter to try. The taunts come from their “age-peers;” even, from some adults who: may have devalued a good education, feel a good education is not attainable, believes the child should be contributing to their livelihood through work, or those who simply feel trapped in their “bottom of the barrel” existence.

Again, this is not a new phenomenon, but a very old “psyche stain” from Slavery, whereby a White American established process pitted one group of Black folk against another. This “psyche stain” is also, at the root of the “don’t snitch” philosophy of current day urban America.

In this scenario the police often referred to as “the man” represents the “masters” (how the master was referred to amongst the slaves), and the Black community is the plantation, presumably populated mostly, by the “field slave.” Anyone, who is a “snitch,” is perceived an “Uncle Tom,” helping the White authority; the “master.”

To some this might seem utter foolishness while to others it describes the powerful and psychological underpinnings of a devastating slave system and slave culture. This is a slave culture, having many psychological underpinnings; with systemic, progression into a physically “mostly free” 1950’s American society. The don’t snitch philosophy is a “psyche hold-over” of Slavery and it is an abomination.

As a philosophical conjure, were police officers who manage Black community order, also residents of that community; known by everyone in the community, this may likely be helpful. That is to say if they were also “field” rather than “house” centered in their allegiances, this might produce a different perhaps even better policing outcome.

Every evil work comes out of this “field slave” versus “house slave” abomination; resulting in Black on Black self-destruction, of all sorts: intra-racial hatreds, thefts, rapes, murders, abandonment, and all types of neglect. The highly successful Black often feels burdened, by the perceived self-destruction of the Black underachiever. The overachiever has one foot, in the land of over achievement; the other foot, remaining in an environment of decay, the power of which they want to escape. Those who care are split between opportunity and a perceived accountability.

One who cares is psychically split, by the fierce competitive requirements of over achievement; then, the burden of some accurate, or inaccurate message of responsibility for their entire race. The overachiever’s love: remains with those who carry the “Mark of Oppression,” for in this “Mark,” their ancestry came forth; it is there that one’s present day cousins remain in captivity. With two hands and one leg over the top of the “barrel,” an entire people, are attached to the foot of the overachiever’s last leg. This is not new!

Some who remain trapped will root with all their might for the over achiever in their quest to escape the barrel. Yet for some Black folk who have not conquered greater access to The Resource Bundle: often they accept as reality, not fact but opinion that the overachieving Black, is simply just another oppressor. A sellout! This is not news and is not unique to the Black experience.

We contend that this occurs within all racial groups when they are in the early generations of a barrel/oppression reality. Indeed this is universally the immigrant story of struggle and change in America. Some sociologist might even describe this as the social evolution of mankind; survival of the fittest, in a barrel that is planet earth.

The psychic holdover of Slavery, however, is an added dimension. For Black folk in America this entire narrative feeds into a “monolithic” Black community, which is a myth. What has been proffered is a cultural experience that carries a burden borne by no other race other than perhaps the Mexican immigrant.

For Black folk this untrue concept, is a “psychic-tax” on every overachieving Black person. Who, is inwardly compelled, as they should be, to give something back to the “community.” But you know what: some Black folk have never even lived in a Black community; still carry its burden simply because of the color of their skin. On a basic individualistic level this is perhaps unfair.

Sometimes attached to this demand are guilt, shame and resentment, as the overachiever fights to compete. This can lead to thoughts within the overachieving class, that the underachieving class simply is doomed to live the underprivileged life of a “poverty class.” That they are not carrying their own weight so to speak to improve their own quality of life and the overall condition of Black folk.

True or not some Black overachievers accept as reality that only those representing a small percentage, of the underachiever class, called: “the best and the brightest,” within the “poverty class” should receive focused resources. The perception being that only these have the potential to get both feet out of the “barrel!” The quest, for hierarchal access, to White Privilege is often perverse: extends to the point of stepping over, marginalizing, and even to pulling down another Black person, purely for selfish advantage sake. This “Crab in a Barrel” behavioral model within some aspects of Black society is to some White folk an offense and they are not alone in this opinion.

●In the view of some, the “Mark of Oppression” worn on the sleeve of many Black human beings in America, is an offense to the White human being. This “Mark of Oppression,” is exhibited by the lifestyles of some Black folk; because they are segregated within a small and confined geography. The factual inner-city reality, of the Black folk, is one of: 1) population density, 2) old properties in an also old neighborhood in decay, 3) higher populations in poverty, 4) urban violence along with, 5) a perceived reality of self-destructive criminality. This is an offense to some White folk.

Those who consider this perception as reality are often concerned about a possible spillover that would affect their world; whenever Black folk move closer and into their neighborhood. So we have the phrase: “there goes the neighborhood!” This, for some, is a stereotype of Black folk. For others it represents a fear based reality.

If one were to look at the history of population expansion and neighborhood transitioning: throughout most of the nation, one finds that there is a progressive and often dramatic neighborhood change. Through growth, this change is represented in urban neighborhood demographics shift. A once all White neighborhood, becomes a totally Black and Brown neighborhood. In the opinion of some folk this now majority community of color is very often; for multiple reasons, a less desirable place to live.

To deny this, is to be dishonest. In any metropolitan city, the evidence is clear that the further away one gets from the central core of the city, the physical conditions are likely better; the structures are likely newer also. The crime rate is likely lower and certainly different in levels of physical violence. It would be true to say: there is a simple reality that population density equals a strain on facilities and resources. The fact, that the inner-city neighborhood has, certainly, become older, is a factor; perhaps it has lost its green belt, through development. Then there is the issue of work. Those living in the city core may not possess the business acumen required for business to thrive.

Those folk have moved outward to the suburbs. The desire, to bring, the suburban dweller into the downtown core, via a network of interconnected freeways, is an example of lost-greenbelt development. Intended or not, these freeway networks, can deliver, a consequence of entrapment, for those living in the city core. There is a negative, “psyche affect,” associated with this consequence of entrapment; inner-city dwellers are challenged to resist this “psyche affect,” however, difficult this resistance effort may be.

A loss of tax base, caused by White flight, certainly has a negative impact on social services; also, the income stream necessary, to do certain things, like fresh coats of paint, may also be relevant. But it does not hold true that the neighborhoods need become less livable and more crime ridden than when occupied, predominantly by White folk. This is a matter, solely, in the control of the Black and Brown folk; in the view of the White human being.
For many Whites, the rationale of the “Mark of Oppression;” not having enough money for garbage bags to pick up the trash, or the lack of sufficient city services, are simply, excuses and it does not sell well. Indeed, this sales pitch is an offense; we contend that it is not a totally invalid one. One must admit, however, that it is difficult to make your next-door neighbor, perform upkeep on a property that they may not own. Your new neighbor might just be passing through.

Indeed, the property may be owned by a White person who recently moved to the suburbs. Someone who later has decided to let the property deteriorate for financial causes or who knows why, but they are no longer investing in new coats of paint, or the necessary and frequent landlord related upkeep.
Difficult it is for a single neighbor to enforce penalties associated with someone who moves in next-door who may actually be a criminal. This is very problematic; requiring an effective policing strategy and a unity of community; herein, lays the challenge.

There is an irritation among White folk, with the conditions of the Black communities. It is an offense. In the perception of some Whites, the community conditions are the acts of Black will; people, who seem unwilling to change the conditions of their-own community. Change that is needed in a Black community and depends on White involvement is to some White folk an offense. Why should White folk need to be involved in Black community change? Beloved, this is a very legitimate question; for it is not necessary that the White folk become the driver of this reality of change, to the point of actualizing it.

For there exists opportunity and the capacity, within the souls of a collective Black self-reliance, that can result in necessary change. True or not true, what appears to be lacking, is the actual willful relentless, resolve for organized collective change; along with an expression of the capacity to do, whatsoever, is necessary for that change to be affected.

An example of such change is that which represents a reduction in the death toll from Black on Black murders. This can be achieved, as the result of a fiercely organized, collective community. Those who kill are known. Those who head the gangs are known. Those in the underground economy are known. Those in control of the underground economy, affected by violence are known.

Rarely, these days, in an urban environment, is a Black human being killed by a White person who is not wearing a uniform. One would do well to notice where White folk are when they have killed young Black men lately. They are not in the inner-city. Those White folk who are wearing a uniform are treated as invaders and adversaries rather than protectors; which is what most police officers want to be.
Although there are plenty of corrupt police, by and large these are decent men and women who strive daily, to protect the innocent, against many odds; all, too often, treated unfairly. This is an offense not just to White folk.

Furthermore, in the year of our Lord, two thousand and seven, a White human being is not the cause of fathers leaving their children without being a key player in their lives; the rate of this action is an offense to White folk. No White man can legally force a Black man, to leave his children. If a Black man is convicted of a crime then he can certainly go to jail.
Unless, there are compelling circumstances beyond one's control; this represents a personal decision, which is only acceptable, when it is demanded to send money back home. The decision to become an unwed mother leading to poverty is a personal decision of both the Black male and female, having nothing, whatsoever, to do with White folk. Black females need to stop saying yes to men unless the question is will you marry me!

In all too many cases, fatherless children are a result of willful sin and spiritual depravation of Black folk, who find themselves in this predicament with or without familial underpinnings. The rate of increase in unwed mothers raising children alone, and particularly the teenage pregnancy rate is an offense to White folk.

This is an offense to many Black folk as well. Though these precious children deserve all of the love and support that can exist, there remains a reality of sinful conduct of those who gave them life. This is conduct that cannot go unrecognized and rebuked. Whatever is to be said, the simple fact is that in the main, Black urban life, is an offense to many White folk. Urban problems to White folk represent a Black problem for Black folk to resolve. This is a very tough argument with which to disagree.

●In the view of some, the “victimization card” is an offense to White folk. Some White folk believe that “nearly all Blacks” consider themselves as victims of the “White man.” Believing also, that at some point: there must be realized, a taking charge of one’s own condition in life by using whatever limited “bootstraps” that one has, to accomplish success. Or to make on your own whatever change that is necessary in one's personal condition. Even, if there is no bootstrap at all, it is not the White man’s problem to resolve. To believe, or suggest, otherwise, is an offense to some White folk. This is perhaps a matter for good discussion, between Blacks and Whites who seek positive change in America.

●In the view of some, the desire of Black folks to live where White folks live is an offense to some White folk. In their view, the desire for White human beings to live in neighborhoods that are populated only by White people is a right of freedom that they should be able to exercise, if America is truly a free nation. To believe that they should not have this right and, just as importantly, that by having this desire makes them somehow a wrong or deceitful person is not only an offense, it is an affront to their self concept at its very core. So it would seem. If the predicate of freedom in America means: that one should be able to do and be what one wants and where one wants, then an argument for racial segregation perhaps could be made.

Of course, this is not the predicate of freedom in America; this same ability to have what one wants and live where one wants in a free society is established in freedom and not by race. But this is a changed predicate in the mind of some White folk. To these, this desegregation reality has infringed upon their inalienable right for the pursuit of their happiness; it is an offense that they are not thus allowed to be segregated unto themselves.

●In the view of some: White folk today had nothing to do with the acts of their progenitors that may or may not today have something to do with the life lived by Black folk. It is therefore an offense for them to be held accountable for any current day Black inequities relating to access of The Resource Bundle.

Considering, that simply as human beings they are striving with enormous difficulty like everyone else, just to make it through the day every single day. Some perceive the Black human being, to be a burden for which they should not have to carry; a burden that some actually believe that they are carrying. These White folk believe that no one is helping them to carry their own very difficult burdens. In the eyes of some to the White human being this is an offense. The truth and simple matter of fact is that nearly all of us are indeed just trying to make it through a very difficult day, with some tough burdens to carry. That is an indisputable fact.

●In the view of some, there are many millions of White folk who are offended by the guilt that they carry because of the crimes of their ancestors against Black folk. Some believe that there are historic stereotypes of Blacks that are embedded within the psyche of millions of White folk.

In the view of some, these stereotypes frame perceptions of Black folk as being: 1) a tribal-like people who always stick together, 2) a people who generally possess a corrupt nature, 3) a people who are emotional rather than pragmatic in making critical decisions, 4) an immoral people who live in excess of their means, 5) a lewd people who possess a predatory nature, and 6) a violent lawless people. Mainly as a stereotype Black folk are an unworthy people.

In other words, the Black condition, in America, is perceived by some Whites to be entirely, caused by Blacks; a people: who are generally without honor, loyalty and personal self-discipline. Therefore, this is an unacceptable and untrustworthy neighbor to be feared; as such, they are an offense.

There are some Black folks who have assimilated into the Control Norm of Western society through some particular prowess. These can access White Privilege and therefore are more tolerable. The closer Black folk are to the Control Norm the less threatening and more acceptable, they may become. As an example if they are lacking in all manner of personal intimidation by the way they carry themselves, i.e. cultural assimilation or passivity. Greater acceptability is also achieved if Black folk possess: wealth, higher education, executive management position, and a passive physicality particularly in skin tone.

Indeed, if one is close enough to the Control Norm, they may not even be considered Black at all; unto some Blacks, this person, unfortunately, may not be considered Black enough.

●In the view of some, when times are economically tough in America, the competition for jobs causes an offense unto the White human being, if it is the Black human being who is employed; the White human being, lays idle and their family is suffering loss. It is far more preferable, if the Black human being is the one last hired, and the one first fired.

●In the view of some, whenever a White human being brings up an issue of race they are labeled a “racist”; which, ought not to be so. This is an offense to the White human being. But it must be said that, the context in which race is offered in discussion unfortunately, carries with it, a burden of responsible good judgment as relating to discussion purposes. This should be true for everyone no matter their race.  We contend, that race should be discussed often, openly, deeply and with compassion for goodwill; without a spirit of condemnation, and with the purpose of problem solving.

Racial discussion must absolutely not be for the purpose of: establishing guilt, fear or resentment, but on the contrary mercy, understanding and reconciliation. This must always be the desired end game. Revelation that these emotions exist within the national subconscious; that they are a detriment to comity, and to racial reconciliation is vital to a comprehensive process that leaves this a more perfect union. We must dispense with all manner of race based: guilt anger bitterness resentment racism fear hatred and the like. This must become our national desire and purpose.

Now it must be said, that for the White human being, it is a major affront to be called a racist; if they: a) want only to be with White folks, b) do not want to see themselves as disposing of their own wealth to the benefit of another race, c) do not want to voluntarily relinquish their privilege, power, control and dominance over “their” resources, and d) as a result of an immigrant population growth, do not want to voluntarily become a minority race in what is now a majority White America.

In other words, they do not feel that they should be labeled a racist, or mean-spirited, simply, because they are engaged in, what to them, is a simple matter of self-preservation and survival of the fittest. Nor do they believe, that they should be considered a racist, just because they want to retain what they have conquered as a majority White controlled reality; it is an undeniable fact that White people have conquered this North American Continent. Why should they want the reality and the consequences of that to change?

Though their progenitors did in fact subdue the Native American and enslave the Black-American, those living today did not do this act. Being considered a racist is therefore an offense to them. Being called a racist is to them as equally offensive as being called a “nigger” is offensive to a Black human being by a White human being.

A racist is one who believes and behaves in accordance with this definition offered by Webster’s Online Dictionary of racism: [ racism : poor treatment of or violence against people because of their race : the belief that some races of people are better than others : 1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race 2 : racial prejudice or discrimination.]

●In the view of some, the overall offense of the Black human being unto the White human being is: simply, that to them Black folk are the representation of just too many problems in America.

The following is Blog post number fifteen,  and it is part of the ongoing Racial Reconciliation in America Series, offered in celebration of Black History Month. It is entitled: Offenses Part Two - Approach Avoidance.

RACIAL RECONCILIATION

Offenses Part Two – Approach Avoidance

When a person commits an act of offense and that offense is not immediately dealt with: by an act of contrition, forgiveness and then reconciliation, the offending person will attempt to avoid the approach of the person that they offended. Why? Because of a fear based shame that is associated with guilt. The entire matter can often be simply rooted in just plain old psychological weakness. Some people are raised or simply become indoctrinated into a belief that it is a weakness to say you’re sorry, when you have done something that you and others know is wrong. As the saying goes “Never apologize. It’s a sign of weakness.”

We contend that this is utter foolishness and goes totally against Holy Scripture. It is one of the dumbest things ever! Who comes up with this stuff? If one person has wronged another person without any act of contrition then there is a lingering offense. First the wrong act itself and secondarily the disrespect of no apology. No recognition of the offense.

If the offense is a material or financial matter with no restitution this is a further extension of the original offense. When the offended and the offender who has not made restitution cannot avoid each other, the guilt within the conscience of the offending person, is continually stirred up. There develops a desire to not approach the offended person and this is brought on by a guilty conscience. And when this happens with an offender who has no intention to set things right; in order to mitigate within themselves the guilt that they feel, they will then tell lies to themselves and others about the folk that they have offended. This is most cowardly. It is happening right at this very minute somewhere near you!

Memory acts as the villain for conscience, as it brings to conscious awareness the act of the offense that has been done. This is the way that the conscience which knows moral right attempts to correct the entire situation. Fear is the barrier to that correction. Thus because of fear there is no reconciliation. Shame and the force of something called pride hinders a correction of the situation. Fear of loss and the general fear of unknown and perhaps even unintended consequences can actually prevent a correction of the situation.

Folk do not ever want to plead guilty to doing anything wrong. Folk do not want to admit an offense, that they were involved in directly or that someone that they love may have been involved in doing. Folk do not want it known that they or someone with whom they are emotionally connected with has had any participation in or connection with an offensive action. Avoiding the entire matter, particularly the offended person is the preferred course of action.

Because of their conscience, escaping the offense will be difficult as an emotional matter, even though they may as a practical matter seek avoidance of the offense altogether. The actual offender will avoid an approach of the offended. Someone with whom the offender is emotionally involved and knows of the offensive matter also wants to avoid the entire situation. Yet the conscience is causing an inward disturbance if it is not a seared conscience, but a clear and clean conscience. Within the conscious mind of an offender, there is a regular reflection on the offense. If the offense is not resolved there is a fear that the matter will be brought up every time they have contact with the offended person. In addition there is always the fear that they will be found out and thus shamed!

It can happen that an offending party is not even aware that they have caused an offense. They are just going through life doing their own thing; someone can be offended by some act that they are doing or thought, by others, to have done. Sometimes, their very existence is an offense to some folk. This is always rooted in some form of fear and resentment within the conscious mind and conscience of someone. Such a situation can be very dangerous and the consequences are at times extremely tragic.

Very often this combination of fear and resentment within the conscience is deadly; particularly, when hate is involved. Crimes occur, such as the lynching of Blacks, so prevalent during Jim Crow in America, or the exterminations of the Jews during Hitler’s Reign. Black folk are still getting lynched and shot for no particular reason other than for being Black. This is seen, also, in the hateful acts against homosexuals today. To some, the very existence of a Jew, a Black, or a homosexual is so viscerally offensive that their conscious fears and resentfulness turns to bitter communication and even uncontrolled rage. Conversely, a person might have a deeply held sense of dislike that they may not even be aware of its cause. A person just rubs them the wrong way and they do not know why. They just know that they do not like the person whose very presence offends their sensibilities. This is likely not they way they came out of the womb.

Offense is within the realm of the conscious mind in acts of will; if the conscience is not sensitive to right choices, the human being creates offenses; if these go unresolved this can produce results that are catastrophic. The most distasteful of all circumstance is when a foul and evil dominated conscience ruled by sin and therefore the devil, whispers into the willful mind of the hateful – that their evil actions are acted out on behalf of an Almighty God! This happens daily, is anti-Christian; quite simply a human doing work for the devil.

This entire act is played out in the conscience; as it delivers unrighteousness to the conscious mind and will. Such is the nature of what is called a “seared conscience!” This is one that is not at all sensitive to the things of God and heaven or for doing acts of righteousness. Yes, indeed, over the process of time, unresolved guilt that is due to an actual or perceived offense takes on a vile nature; this is the nature of fear and resentment.

Unresolved offense leads to unresolved guilt. This leads to approach avoidance. This leads to having no fellowship. This leads to continued offense because folk get to a place where they no longer even want to know one another. Don’t want to be in the same room with one another; can’t even look at one another. As such misunderstanding is easy and very frequent. When questions are asked lies are told. When questions are asked tensions arise. As this process unfolds over and over again, through the process of time dislikes and even hatreds manifest in a variety of ways, including violence.

Unresolved offense that leads to unresolved guilt eventually produces an environment where human caring is lost. This happens between folk who may have once been the best of friends; then an offense damns the relationship because guilt shame anger and resentment are allowed to fester. No good resolution of the offense is achieved. The relationship spirals downward and out of control and arrives at a horrible place with a “you are on your own philosophy.”

Resentment comes from a lack of reconciliation. This destroys the positive seeds of guilt; for in the early stages of guilt there is some recognition that wrong has been done. In the conscience there is a leaning towards offense resolution. That is if there is a modicum of human decency present. If guilt is managed properly, which is to as fast as possible address the offense in a meaningfully positive way, in order to bring about reconciliation quickly. When this happens, all possible negatives associated with guilt are avoided. In this manner guilt serves a good and vital purpose in the conscience of the human being.

However, without this action, the nature of guilt and resentment can surely lead us unto terrible events. Too often, guilt is handled negatively; fear with resentment comes through the conscience to our conscious awareness, and then the action is driven. This happens with human beings in our interpersonal relationships: it happens with racial groups, groups with cultural differences, such as liberals and conservatives in politics, it happens within different religious groups such as Christians, Jews and Muslims, and even between nations. Violence is the final answer if offense is not resolved. So it is such a place in America that we find ourselves. A place in which offenses that have occurred between different racial groups, particularly Black and White folk.

Our offences are at center-stage. We have reached the place of decision as a nation. Are we going to resolve our differences that are rooted in centuries of offenses and divisions because of race or are we going to remain where we are? Can we remain where we are without growing more: offended angry bitter fearful guilt-ridden and resentful? Will we continue as a nation of races to walk in our approach avoidance? Will we continue to develop a more seared conscience because of our racial divisions; just careening from one offensive event to another without any positive resolution? Can we endure the consequences of avoidance?

Well I am here to tell you that the Spirit of an Almighty God says no you can not wait, as an answer to all of these questions! Reconcile while you have a chance America for a watchful eye is forever open. Let us therefore seek to love one another. Let us come to the knowledge of the truth that our neighbor is that very person who we do not want to be our neighbor. The very person who we do not think is our neighbor, yea, that is the very one who is our neighbor. O God our God help us to learn; give us your capacity to love. Give us the discipline to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Help us O God our God to reconcile our offenses one against the other.

The following is blog post number fourteen and is part of the Racial Reconciliation in America Series, in celebration of Black History Month; it is entitled: Offenses Part One – What is an Offense?

As it is written: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18, KJV).

RACIAL RECONCILIATION

Offenses Part One – What is an Offense?

As it is written: “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” (Psalms 8:2-9 KJV)

As we continue our series on racial reconciliation we are persuaded that it will serve a good purpose to give a reminder of what is this creature called a human being. There will be no reconciliation without a revelation of what is being reconciled. That seems pretty simple right?  One would think so, so let us give it a go with an overview of the human creature and its nature. Like King David we ask the question what is man?

We are persuaded that there is a realm of spirit and there is a realm of terrestrial life known as earth. We very often refer to the entire earth as one giant plantation, not planet, which of course earth is that. We also consider earth as a plantation for earth is a holding place of a being who cannot as yet escape it and survive. A being who must labor daily in order to have a meaningful and quality life. Earth is a dangerous place and is made so mainly by the human being. Yet, Earth represents its own sort of danger as an always changing and ever evolving planet. Because the human is in the universe a captive creature; unable to leave Earth, the human being labors on a plantation. This is a place of captivity.

We are persuaded that there is such a thing as good and evil. We are persuaded that there is a war being waged between these two realities and the human being is not only in the middle of the war, the human being is also the battleground. Yea, even as this battleground is, all the Earth and within the human being; it is winning this human creature: well that is the true purpose of the war and the human is the prize.

As has been discussed in previous texts we are persuaded not only that good and evil are real, but they are manifestations of what man was never meant to possess and that possession is a conscience. The knowledge of good and evil is the conscience of the human being. As a terrestrial creation of an Almighty God and as such daily with God, the only knowledge the human had, was of God. As such the human being had no need of a conscience. Humans had no need for two forms of knowledge: that is to say of both good and of evil.

So, we are persuaded that the great transgression of the first man often described as the “fall of man” is what brought evil into human knowledge. The knowledge of both good and of evil has become the natural condition of this “fallen” creature. Within the conscience of the human war between good and evil is daily being waged.

In this we are persuaded is the matter of freewill, the choices of a human being and the consequences from those choices. This is a daily process of human life. It is a war being wage by the un-restored human against the Earth and the balance of humanity. It is a war that makes evil choices rather than making choices of good.

The affects of human choices in the Earth are either its rejoicing, or a suffering Earth. With moral choices humans produce a rejoicing humanity. With evil choices humans produce a suffering humanity. Both the earth and the human suffer in the face of evil if good does not overcome. And this is on a daily basis as the human being interacts for or against the Earth and humanity.

We are thus persuaded that the knowledge of evil as revealed through the choices of the human being establishes the proof that evil exists. Evil exists as a force from its source and we contend that that source is Satan also known as the devil, whose singular purpose is to replace God. To be God, to replicate God is the quest of the devil and we contend that the destruction of the Earth and all of mankind is Satan’s principle strategy in a war against Almighty God. The devil executes this work of war through the choices made by human beings.

This “fallen creature” we are persuaded does not universally accept and dwell in the reality that the war between God and Satan has already been won, as Jesus Christ the Son of God has long ago brought Satan to defeat that will be eternal. The un-restored human (the one not walking with God) does not accept this reality and continues to war against God through evil conduct. The simple fact of saying that one believes in Jesus Christ does not matter, in this reality what matters is what choices a human being makes. There are many who speak with words that do not comport with moral actions that are favorable to the Earth and humanity.

We are informed by the Book of Genesis (the Book of Creation), of the creation that is mankind: a human being, a living soul. The human being is a very interesting creature and is more than just the conscience, i.e. the knowledge of good and evil that we have been discussing. This creature is actually a spirit being that dwells within a physical body that also houses a soul. We are persuaded that this creature is physically animated; by that we mean given life, because of the spirit breathed into it by God and as such every human male and female is a spirit.

They are spirits because God is a Spirit. The human being is created in the image of God therefore the creature is a spirit. The physical body is a containment vessel, and what some call an Earth suit. This Earth suit keeps the “human spirit” terrestrially protected yet imprisoned, that is to say bound by the force of gravity to the Earth. We are persuaded that what a human being looks at in a mirror is more than just a physical body that is trapped in this spirit prison.

We are also persuaded that this human creature is a soul; as we are given knowledge from the Book of Genesis. Genesis tells us that once the Creator breathed life into the physical body of creation that body then became a living soul. That  living soul often referred to as “The heart of man” is what we say is: a human soul complex – the conscious mind, center of thought, the human will, memory and conscience.

This soul complex and the interactions with the human spirit form a magnificent dangerous and puzzling creature. This is a created vessel of God that is in possession of the responsibility to subdue and replenish the Earth. Neither of which responsibilities can be accomplished without the ability to create. As such God has put this ability in His human creature.

After the “fall of man” the conscience developed a capacity of emotions that include: fear guilt and shame, which come along by way of the knowledge of evil. There is also in this apparatus the emotion of resentment. Resentment is defined in Webster’s Online Dictionary in this fashion [resentment: a feeling of anger or displeasure about someone or something unfair: a feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury] Likely it is fear and resentment that are the most useful tools of the devil in his war against the human being. Fear and resentment are the two most negative emotions and once they are combined they will produce the second most powerful human outcome which is the hatred of one for another. Only the powers of love and forgiveness can overcome this.

Now there is a fear that is good. This is the fear (more a matter of extraordinary reverence) of Almighty God, and Holy Scripture calls this extraordinary reverence, the first act of human wisdom. There is a fear that allows one to make right choices. There is a fear that will keep you safe from calamity. There is a fear that will cause you to flee from sin or danger. This type of fear is good; but mostly, fear is a negative.

Fear and resentment are negative byproducts of unresolved offenses. Such lead unto a negative guilt: this, in the mind and conscience of the human being – feeds the justification of evil acts, like rebellion against the truth, murders, wars, lies, hatred and other vile acts of evil. We contend that fear is the most destructive of all strategies that the knowledge of evil has inculcated into the soul of mankind.

Overcoming fear is the most important effort of the human being; it comes about by love. Fear and resentment within the conscious mind and an impure conscience are truly favorite strategies of the devil; he makes great headway, in human destruction, through this strategy within the human conscience.

The guilt, fear and resentment strategy is present in every broken life, in every single one. With discussion, where there is honesty and truth, I am confident that we can show any person suffering the darkness of life, how their life has been negatively impacted by a conscious mind that has been overpowered by improperly managed guilt: by fear that has been turned into resentment, and an impure conscience. All of this as a result of some type of offense. Committed or received!

Of course, the main issue here is honesty and truth; for these become absent, in the face of fear! Fear blocks the apprehending of truth; hindering the delivery of it. Beloved, fear creates dishonesty; inspiring lies to cover up both fear and truth! In this process fear inherently will cause the furtherance of offense which is likely the beginning of the darkness. The unresolved creator of conflict and the driver of a circular reality: offense anger guilt fear resentment and back to another offense.

A conscience that has become seared is a conscience held within the human being who is continuously engaged in immoral acts. Acts that a human knows with certainty are evil, not good. Such as acts toward other human beings as an example, that would be considered by them as offensive. We are persuaded that nothing is more critical in the discussion of racial reconciliation than the discussion of offense.

Because this is so important we are enclosing the completed and thorough overview of offense, beginning with the lengthy and complete definition. Offense is defined in Webster’s Online Dictionary in this fashion: [ something that causes a person to be angry or upset : something that is wrong or improper : a criminal act : 1 a obsolete :  an act of stumbling b archaic :  a cause or occasion of sin :  stumbling block 2 : something that outrages the moral or physical senses 3 a : the act of attacking :  assault b : the means or method of attacking or of attempting to score c :  the offensive team or members of a team playing offensive positions d : scoring ability 4 a : the act of displeasing or affronting b : the state of being insulted or morally outraged <takes offense at the slightest criticism> 5 a : a breach of a moral or social code : sin, misdeed b : an infraction of law; especially : misdemeanor —of·fense·less   adjective]

Offense is something that the human being does by choice. The question is always was the offense an intentional choice. The answer to that question has to do with the type of consequences that will result from the choice, the act to offend. We can see that an offense is an act with the most powerful of consequences: it is an assault; if intentional an offense is a kind of emotional warfare against another human’s conscience. We say a war against the conscience as it is the conscience that will determine whether a possible human action is going to be a moral or evil act. The conscience will make this human judgment. While within the "human will" the decision is going to be controlled, as to whether or not a response to the offense is going to be chosen. The choice being: “How will I respond to this offense?”

As a human behavior the “offense” is strategic evil, particularly, if offense is done with knowledge and with intent. Purposeful intent of offense is a tool of the devil against humanity and is directed from and through one human being against another human. The result of this type of emotional assault is the production of anger outrage and fear. To make the choice of doing an offense is sin against the human and its Creator for this is to yield to God’s enemy the devil. Offense is the most powerful cause of race divisions in America and around the world; offenses past and present are the hindrance to racial reconciliation on this day.

We are continually given reasons to delve most ardently into a dialogue that will lead to an end of our racial divisions in America. What is glaringly missing is the voice of the White Clergy who not only have a responsibility before God to engage  and to lead this dialogue in America and we contend that they can do the most good. They are less likely to be called a "race-baiter" and more likely to be listened to by White folk. Recently we have seen the offense of murder of young Black men under the age of twenty years.

The men who committed the offense of murder were  both of White decent and both trials were highly public events. An additional offense to the murder was the offense of not holding either man accountable for their doing murder. Rather than trying the murderer, in both trials the court system allowed the dead victim, the Black teenagers who were murdered to be put on trial. No penalty for their death, or for the offense of murder.

This is not only an offense to the parents of the children it is an offense to the psyche of the whole nation. It furthers the searing of the national conscience. In this the law and the failed performance of the Justice System creates yet another offense. We continue as a people and as a Clergy to fail God and the nation by not defeating our separateness.

Let us therefore seize the day and be strong and of good courage. Let us with goodwill and hope engage the forces of light that can bring our nation unto the love of and for one another and this Earth. We can defeat the forces of darkness that seeks our destruction if we will end our complacency and lay down our fears. Yea, let us all seek to do God's Will; let us produce a better America for all of our children. An America that binds the offense and sets loose a love that Almighty God wants for His creation.

The following is Blog post number thirteen; it is part of the Racial Reconciliation in America Series in honor of Black History Month. It is entitled: The Conscience of a Nation.

RACIAL RECONCILIATION

THE CONSCIENCE OF A NATION

Many years ago my beloved friend and business mentor: the honorable “Godfather of Xerox” Mr. Eugene S. Ruffin, used to tell a great story when describing a discovery process that was in trouble. You may have heard the same story. It’s the story of a lone man driving down a country road. After many hours of searching: being lost and at the end of this long road, this traveler found himself at an old farmhouse.

He told the farmer sitting on an old well-used tractor, where he had come from, and how he had started out. He shared his story of travel. Seeking help the traveler asked the farmer how to get to where he was trying to go. The farmer thought long and hard and even spoke out a number of different suggestions.

But with each suggestion the farmer continued to reflect and would just shake his head, saying: “Daingit Mister that won’t work either.” Then in complete and total exasperation, after long reflection and many suggestions the farmer simply threw up his hands and said, “You know what fella I think you just need to turn around and start all over, cause you just ‘cain’t get close to thar’ from here!”

And so it is with racial reconciliation in America, and we ask the question can we get there from here? Can we at least travel the road and give it a go? Can we for once just try to get to a place to which we have never been as a nation? In this quest we ask the question can we refresh our national conscience and find ourselves at a new starting point. If perhaps an egalitarian society, a truly more perfect union is the place to which we want to arrive. Can we get there from here?

Well where are we? In the Predicate of Fear we are presented with a lens through which we can witness ourselves as a human being. We have a conscience. As a collective people we have a collective conscience. Through this lens we will view the development of Western Civilization which brings us to America. We will now explore through the lens of conscience how we have become who we are – a nation in need of a collective conscience refresh.

At this writing this nation suffers from a seared conscience. Now, what is that you ask? Let’s discover the thought. A seared conscience is sorted out thusly: Webster’s Online Dictionary defines “sear” in this fashion:[ “to cause withering or drying 1 : to make withered and dry”]

Now conscience is defined by Webster’s in this fashion: [1 a : the sense or consciousness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one's own conduct, intentions, or character together with a feeling of obligation to do right or be good b : a faculty, power, or principle enjoining good acts c : the part of the superego in psychoanalysis that transmits commands and admonitions to the ego.]

Putting the two words together i.e., a “seared conscience” we get this definition: “a withered sense of moral goodness or blameworthiness of one’s own conduct.” As we consider race in our discovery process; applying this definition to the conscience of America, we see a nation having fallen short of the description: “a more perfect union.” A nation that has failed (seared conscience) to do right as it relates to addressing her race based divisions. America’s conscience is seared. What seared this collective conscience? What caused the nation’s desire to do right, to wither and to dry up in race based endeavors? What caused the withering national conscience? These questions lead us into our next level of discovery of Racial Reconciliation in America.

We have discussed the importance of two very compelling concepts of racial disparity that affect the conscience of the nation, they are: 1) Sharing – The Resource Bundle and 2) The Concentric Circle of Peace in America. Going forward both of these topics will help us as we view the impact of Western Civilization’s development on race relations. These two concepts revealed the importance of the individual in labor and the participation in the development of assets.

We have discussed the need for freedom to achieve and the absolute importance of work. We have also discussed the importance of bias and equality in the economic system. Regarding the race question further, our next area of discovery has to do with the: “how we got here” and later we will discuss the question: “can we get there from here?” Get to there meaning: a place of racial reconciliation.

So let’s get started. A seared conscience develops over a process of time; as a result of doing that which is expedient rather than morally prudent or what the conscience knows to be good moral and right. Over the process of time and developing various human desires such as security, comforts, wealth and the like, the human being developed life systems of order and ways of controlling human interactive conduct.

A dominant male figure developed a system and methods were formed to establish the control over large human populations. These systems became governments that established order. Individuals and their governments developed desires of conquest with a greed for the possessions of other governments and nations of people. So we see man as recorded in the Book of Genesis “subdue the earth.” We see through the lens of conscience – a history of man and what we now know of as civilizations. One of those civilizations is today referred to simply as The West.

Over the process of time there have been many great civilizations from antiquity: African and Asian come to mind. Frankly, as one of the West, we hold a view that no civilization has been more world conquering or greater than Western Civilization. Though that is not a necessary distinction in this discussion we believe it worthy of stating. Western Civilization has become known, as one of the most individual centered and power of the individual focused systems of order that the world has ever recorded.

Although this is perhaps changing in the mind of some folk, Western Civilization over the process of time has become synonymous with the White race. This is certainly the case as it relates to the “Controlling Norm.” The controlling race so to speak of the West is a White human being and more specifically a White man. When other nonwhite nations refer to the West they speak of the White man essentially in their referencing.

In this regard and through the lens of conscience we consider the development of Western Civilization. Through this lens we see the record of race, particularly the record of White and Black interaction. One must look through the lens as it relates to economic systems, and their impact on race. One must consider The Resource Bundle in this regard and the notion of the development of the West. The goal in developing the West we believe is rooted in what we refer to as a “Just Us Philosophy” of the White human being in the forward march of the West. It is in this contest that our assessment of a seared conscience is established. This is a matter of the order and control of Western Civilization and we therefore ask the question: What does the White human being control?

Well, this is certainly an interesting area of discovery. The coming answer to this question is not to suggest that nonwhite folk are powerless, nonparticipants in the economies of life; it is to clearly establish a framework of discovery that some will find unappealing. Now, the answer to the question includes, but is not limited to, the following examples of what we contend are amazing accomplishments of a magnificent human being: though, like all humans, in possession of a sinful nature. I posit that the White human being is in control of anything that is contained within The Resource Bundle:

■The conquest, control, greed, and dominance over all of the resources of earth and there is no resource, that is not in reality dominated, controlled or influenced by White folk. An argument could be put forth, we believe, successfully that every source and methods of controlled power over resources, needed by the human species, even the quality of the air breathed by all, is to some degree White influenced and determined. This a matter, of  law and public policy implementation. Both of which, i.e. law and public policy are dominated, influenced or controlled by White folk.

■Whether the power or resource is the law and justice; capital, banking, finance and debt of all types, as well as the most significant majority of all unearned income; all methods of transportation – all vehicles, trains, planes, buses and automobiles manufactured and sold for that purpose; manufacturing of all types; all building products steel, iron, cable, aluminum, timber, lumber, concrete, asphalt, and rock quarries; all energy electrical, wind, nuclear power and natural gas, ethanol and all bio-products necessary for energy production, all waste products and their management; all oil and all products made from oil; all forms of technology, education, all news and information media, all advertisement, and every method and form of communications, including, the most important delivery system for it, all apparatus that delivers any type of information and social indoctrination, all framing of the information that is purveyed and its context for debate, and control of the debate are influenced, if not dominated or controlled by White folk.

■All aspects of the healthcare economy, and healthcare delivery systems; all systems of education delivery; all systems of governance; all farming and agriculture, commodities and foodstuffs; all ores and precious metals; all copper, coal, platinum, diamonds, gold and every mineral type; all aggregated water sources and clean water distribution; distribution of all consumable and non-consumable products, all shipping and shipping lanes, all narcotics, be they pharmaceutical, legal or illegal narcotics; all liquor and tobacco products; every form of entertainment – theaters, performing arts venues, movies, television production, music production, record labels and museums, every form of art and its distribution, all armaments whether legal or not legal are influenced controlled or dominated by a White human being.

■Consequently, all essentials of any valued material or non-material such as, historical record keeping, profiling and purveying are controlled, dominated or greatly influenced unto the height of inured benefit toward a White human being. As well, some might, with great success, argue that the communications of spiritual values: Bible printing, Biblical interpretations, translated publications and concepts might fit within this estimate as well.

■As one looks at the universal history of both the Catholic and Protestant Church in Western Civilization, and the hidden availability, or the prolific provision of the Holy Bible, over centuries, it has principally, been accomplished under the leadership control and influence of a White human being.

■Values: as such, certain values may have been retained; therefore may affect, current day understanding of spiritual and biblical matters; though this is not totally the case with the Black-American Church, one might successfully argue that there is White influence upon it as well. Particularly, this is true as one considers the picture of a White Jesus with long hair and blues eyes that for years hung in Black Churches all across America. In many remain hung today.

This level of control, most certainly, carries with it tremendous responsibility of stewardship; while, performance against that responsibility, must be measured by the conditions of those who have either prospered, or suffered because of that stewardship. The fruit is the ultimate measurement; in that God will be the final judge.

The process of developing Western Civilization is fraught with consequences as a result of the “Just Us Philosophy.” The principle outcome of this philosophy is what is known as White Privilege, a difficult topic of conversation for many who are White. Many White people reject the notion out of hand and believe that all White achievement is a function of individual performance and therefore earned. Believing also that all benefits that to some are a result of White preference is individually based and therefore earned as well.

The conflict is derived from the actual proven result of a known existence of a Just Us Philosophy that endures today. So we explore White Privilege. What is it? We contend that White Privilege is defined in this fashion, it is our definition: “An in breaded, social indoctrination of a ‘Just Us Philosophy’ that has, over the process of time, become ‘a natural state’ within the subconscious psyche of the White human being. It is a fundamental underpinning of Western Civilization. At times this is a very top of mind event within some White people.” This “Just Us Philosophy” is the principle by which White human beings created: centralized power, control, dominance and influence over all resources on earth. The “Just Us Philosophy” is by description, a philosophy of exclusion that is demonstrated in all manner of aggregating and then the segregating unto the White human; all aspects of The Resource Bundle.”

The beginnings of White Privilege are rooted in Colonialism: particularly the colonization of India, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and all of the Americas by the Empire of England. It is the belief that one’s Whiteness is by genetics superior to all other peoples. Further, that by this so-called: “genetic purity” the White human being is above all other races of people in supremacy of intellect and humanity. Therefore, all other racial groups are sited as inferior to White folk; thereby, they hold a rightful place of subordination.

The “Just Us Philosophy” historically, therefore demands, and indeed, is deemed a righteous cause for the White domination of the entire world and its resources; which, essentially was the early goal of Western Civilization. For some, this delusion of righteous cause, on some levels still remains in this present hour. White Privilege, is indeed, embedded in the “Just Us Philosophy.” In American history, not too distant: White Privilege was manifested as a White banker, plumber, accountant, sharecropper, rancher; or a barber living in spiritual and practical subversion. The “terrorist subversion,” of a respected member of the Ku Klux Klan.

In the darkness of the night: wearing a hood over their head to not be identified; while carrying out, heinous acts of terror on the weak, in order to maintain control of The Resource Bundle. Or today, White Privilege is simply: being able to be a shoplifter, without suspicion; while a legitimate shopper of color is challenged, for being present in the same store that a White person, is stealing from. It is being a middle-aged White man feeling comfortable abusing a young Black athlete who must apologize for his response to the abuse. Or the continued shooting and lynching of young Black men with impunity.

White Privilege is, to be, accepted as the preferred candidate for a position, of any kind; when in competition with someone who is not White. Even, when, the nonwhite person: is in possession of superior skill sets, education and demonstrated moral character. The clearest example of this is the preference by some that a Mitch McConnell type is a better more preferred leader than a President Barack Obama type. White Privilege is, to be perceived as the best fit; when, only skin color is the only possible determinant factor of final decision.

White Privilege is to be listened to. While someone, who is not White, has said the identical thing and is not heard. White Privilege is, to be of the West as a nation; doing acts that are counter to the Will of God. Dominating, other nation’s, with impunity; thinking that it is acceptable when it really is not, in the eyes of an Almighty God. White Privilege is, to be a member of the controlling class. The controlling class is the White race of Western Civilization!

Western Civilization, from an historical context, has created a burden borne by White folk today, indeed in some ways one might measure that White Privilege is a burden. Certainly one, who achieves and is White, could indeed be judged by nonwhites as not deserving of the success that one has been fortunate to achieve. Just as some Blacks, who have achieved are often considered as unqualified, because they may have received opportunities through say, an Affirmative Action program. It does not mean that one is necessarily qualified, simply, because they are of White Privilege or less so because of Affirmative Action.

Now White people of today have had absolutely nothing, at all, to do with the methods for accomplishing the initial: conquest, control, greed and dominance of resources tools and methods that were used to develop Western Civilization. However, millions of White folk are certainly charged with the perpetuation of the tools strategies and the philosophies that maintain Western Civilization. Their progenitors have, absolutely, created the systems that undergird Western Civilization from beginning to now. With or without their accepted agreement, all White human beings of today, because of race systematically benefit from the methods of control and dominance.

Without choice, but by the nature of their birth: the burden, like the benefits of a White human being, is yet borne, like it or not. The historical events that occurred during the development of Western Civilization are an offence to the soul of some if not all nonwhite people wherever they may live today. As such for White folk, we contend that the burden or benefits, depending on one’s outlook, have to do with and are not limited to historical events perpetrated by Western Whites; these include the following:

■On the stage of world history a White human being has brought forth a degree of violence and brutality worldwide and in scope unequaled by any race of people. This is represented by and not limited to the following:

1) The Catholic Crusades against the Muslim world, although centuries ago, the affects and hatreds remain unto this very day,

2) The brutal slavery of the African peoples by the White European people: of Portugal, Spain and Britain, beginning in 1485, in the African Kingdom of Benin; then, spreading throughout the European Continent was first supported by the Catholic Church of Portugal. It then moved to all portions of the Americas, including the U.S. Colonies in 1618 until 1864.

3) The conquest and genocide of the Native peoples of America, and the Aboriginal peoples of Australia and New Zealand.

4) The brutal oppression of the Black human being under Post-Civil War Reconstruction, and the Jim Crow Laws of the Southern and Midwestern states of the U.S. from 1864 unto the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Through these acts, of the State and Local governance, and through the legal terrorist organization known as the Ku Klux Klan, tens of thousands unjustly suffered.

5) The Napoleonic Wars.

6) World War I.

7) World War II and the Holocaust of the Jews.

8) The A partied White Rule over the South African Black peoples.

9) The continued subordination today of the Black, Brown and Native American people, through inferior schools, healthcare; voting rights, unequal justice, and inferior quality in work, that for most men also equates to one’s self-worth.

■The elimination of the bonds of ancestry of the Black human being of the United States, which has had an enduring negative impact on this racial group unto this very day. Most Black Americans have limited to no knowledge of their progenitors prior to the 1900’s.

This would suggest limited knowledge beyond the third or fourth generations, if they were birthed into the generation that is sixty years of age, or above. As a tool and strategy for control and dominance over resources this was an intended act with an intended consequence of destabilizing this racial group.

Whether the intent was for the effects to carryover unto this hour or not, there are consequences that are experienced today as this particular racial group has been marginalized, particularly by the early centuries (1600's-1950's) destruction of the Black family which is yet to recover.

■The facilitation, of a continued “Mark of Oppression,” that is held within the psyche of many Black Americans, resulting from Slavery; the insidious nature of White Privilege in America, with the suggested superiority and or supremacy of the White race. This is proven by held positions of historical leadership within all Seven Establishments that affect the soul of every human being in America. Another topic for another day.

It is not by talent, intellect, the best fit or superior moral character that the ownership of positions of authority and power exists with such vastness; rather, it is by birth that such positions are so held. Historical events that are maintained by White Privilege make certain that this reality continues.  The “Mark of Oppression,” as it relates to the uniquely American born Black person, is characterized by, though it is not limited to, the following:

1) The historical event of oppression that is contained within the conscience and memory of the oppressed whether the oppression is either current or past.

2) A diminished nature of the self whether it be concept, value, and worth to their community, or to the broader society.

3) The affect of the sense of guilt, shame, fear and resentment within the conscience of those considered as the oppressor either current or past, whether or not it is agreed to exist. One such affect is the way some White people communicate whenever a race based dialogue occurs. There is a bristling and this is subconscious more than a top of mind awareness. There is certainly a hesitancy to engage.

4) A Black worldview that is more often than not racially based.

5) A sense of entrapment within a so-called underclass that is not contained within the expression “mainstream” of American society,

6) A reality of poverty entrapment within a low quality existence whether it be related to healthcare, employment, nutritious affordable/available food, clothing, income, housing, transportation, education, access to credit, political influence, or real power, and

7) A sense of victimization that flows from the tremendous difficulty associated with the necessity for achievement in the face of a sense of oppression and unfairness whether real or imagined. While, still somehow, managing to not only stay alive and not locked up in jail or prison, unlike so many of their brethren, but to achieve in a competitive self-reliant and “individual” focused society. Though we contend that Capitalism is the best economic system we believe that it is riddled with racial bias. We contend further that Capitalism can be far more efficient than is implemented.

            The strategies and methods that were employed to create and to develop Western Civilization; the strategies implemented today by a self-perpetuating apparatus that ensures the continued existence of Western power has resulted in a national collective conscience that is seared. We will not be able to get there from here without these revelations. If we are unable to accept revelation we must learn how to better communicate their realities if racial reconciliation is our quest. 

             Through the lens of conscience let us see clearly that our past can be reconciled. In so reconciling let the past be revealed as truth not wishes. But in truth not impurity. For in so doing as the past requires a reconcile; though it be unclaimed, let the past be forgiven and the present if unworthy be repented of. In this let fear shame and guilt with all resentments die and love prevail. This being accomplished let the Conscience of a Nation be refreshed.