Making the Case for School Segregation

Alright, I have an interesting question for all who are brave enough to answer this challenging question. Given the sexual harassment gay/lesbian teenagers face in addition to all of the other pressures of high school and being a teenager.

Here’s my question.

Is school segregation a viable alternative to harassment, meaning having a high …school for one group and another for another group?

Now for some this question goes against everything that came about during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s & 60’s beginning with Brown v Board of Education in Topeka, KS, to James Meredith at Ole Miss, the Little Rock Nine, desegregation in Chicago and Boston and so on.

For me to ask such a question is difficult, because I have benefited from the victories and gains achieved in all of the mentioned cases. I’ve read, listen and try to obtain all I can about this time period, because if it wasn’t for these events I may not be where I am today freely writing about segregation.

When I first entered school back in the mid-70’s all of this was still new, but have gone on long enough for people to be use to seeing a Black face in a sea of White ones. With the harassment I was subjected to although it wasn’t no where near as harsh as what so many others endured, I wondered if it would have made a difference if I had went to an all Black school or a boys school or even a school designated for heterosexual boys.

My intentions are not to criticize this article or the high school. I understand the purpose of it, although it challenges my understanding of the benefits of school desegregation. Share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions after reading this article about Homo High.

PS: I don’t like that name. Just as bad as Nigger Academy, Cracker College, Hispanic High, Asian Prep or Redskin Institute. Just doesn’t sound right.

References & Inspirations

Los Angeles Times – 02/01/10 “A Harassment-Free School Opens in L.A.”

Perverted Christians

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Recently I was asked a question that was almost tailored-made for me or at least some of my significant interests. I believe it was asked because they knew I enjoy openly discussing what is taboo or controversial subject for many Christians. I simply believe you must be willing to speak openly with the attitude of sincerity and unbiased consideration of the experiences of others when you’re talking about what I call “Christian Taboos”.

Christian Taboos are subjects that people who proclaims to be a follower of Jesus Christ are either forbidden, restricted or even consider profane subjects. Often it is due to uninformed or even ignorant a perception that regards the subject to be dangerous, risky, untraditional or even makes some people uncomfortable. Many people are unwilling to engage in positive interaction with persons they do not understand, unfamiliar or have labeled as a sinner.

I will try to tackle most of the issues related to the question, but here’s the question that was asked. Can someone who tries not to be racist towards anyone still be considered prejudice and be a Christian too? If so, why?

Yes and this is why.

Christians are just like everyone else. Many have fooled themselves into believing that because they are a Christian they are no longer susceptible to the ills of the world. Many choose to ignore the symptoms that has infected the minds of many Christians and in some cases perpetuated the actions and mentality of sick individuals.

A person doesn’t have to be racist in order to be prejudice. Whether it be a charge of homophobia or even one that’s on the raise in the United States among certain constituencies; Islamophobia, it still amounts to an act of prejudice.

Conforming to taboos essentially suggests that you accept or willing to participate in exclusionary practices, which is a form of discrimination. It’s a form of discrimination, because it prevents objective consideration of an issue, situation or circumstance.

There are many people who say and believe that they are not racist, because racism has been explicitly intertwined with being prejudice. You may not be racist, but racism is not the only form of prejudice. We must consider the harsh discriminatory practices of Homophobia or even Islamophobia as two of the most popular and unfortunately socially accepted forms of discrimination among Christians and many other religious beliefs and cultures.

When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that it is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o’clock on Sunday morning during the heights of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s & 60’s he was primarily referring to it in terms of race relations in the Christian church. I personally, belief it has not gotten much better today because we still can easily determine and often self-identify ourselves in terms of race in religious services. It’s gotten so bad that we can assume the racial demographics of the church by reading the name on the building, “First Presbyterian Church of…, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church”. We’ve all gotten a little better, because you’ll see 1% of many of our churches have a member of color (Being a person of color does not exclude White. Last time I checked white was considered a color, unless Crayola changed something on me.)I know this is true and can easily document it, but do not want to focus on our religious racial bigotry just yet.

My focus is on the other ways we have allowed and accepted bigotry within many of our Christian churches. I can only speak about Christian churches; because that’s the center of religious/spiritual worship I attend and subscribe to. I can only assume that the same is true for other religious beliefs and cultures.

As I’ve written upon various aspects of this topic in the recent posts I must say that I am in no way casting any dispersion on Christianity itself or Jesus Christ. Christ isn’t the problem, we who have chosen to follow Christ are. Many of us have perverted the name in such an effective manner that we have somehow made hate acceptable in the name of Jesus.

You don’t know what I’m talking about?

We can begin by looking at recent events and activities of those who calls themselves Christians or organizations doing work in the name of Jesus.

Many Gay and Lesbians are pushed out of Christianity by Christians. It simply amazes me to see it and the amount of hatred I get when I speak out in defense of Gay and Lesbians who are seeking a church home. Many are understanding and see my attempts, but how can I effectively persuade anyone to just visit when they are greeted with the numerous signs of segregation in the sanctuary. I don’t care where you go or what church you belong to when someone who isn’t like the majority of the people within that church comes in there’s usually several people who ignores them or will smile in their face and talk behind their back when they sit down or get to their car. Just hypocrites. At least be honest about your bigotry and stop using God as a crutch to rest your justifications for discrimination upon. God is no respecter of persons.

As some would have it, I couldn’t be friends with anyone who isn’t like me. What a bleak existence that would be. I love myself and who I am, but I don’t want to be around people who think, acts and look like myself all of the time. This is why I absolutely love and respect my friends who are not Christian or Black or Democrat or male. I have something to learn from Muslims, I have something to learn from Republicans, I have something to learn from Atheists, I have something to learn from Non-Blacks, I have something to learn from Lesbians or Gay men and they have something to learn from me. If we refuse to talk to each other none of us learn anything except what ignorance is.

Christians must ask themselves the same questions Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. illustrated with such eloquence when he said, “On some positions, cowardice asks the question, is it expedient? And then expedience comes along and asks the question—is it politic? Vanity asks the question—is it popular? Conscience asks the question—is it right? There comes a time when one must take the position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right.”

Bigotry, discrimination or prejudice is any form is not right and is not of God. To act, misrepresent or believe it does is a perversion of God. Isn’t that essentially another way of using the lord’s name in vain? This is easy, why would God hate? Or a better question would be what does God hate? If you find yourself doing what he hates shouldn’t that be an indicator that you need to make some changes?

I know there will be some who subscribes to a ridged interpretation of the Bible that we should only consider the interpretation of those who interpreted it. Wasn’t the Bible interpreted by a select few ordained by God? (Moses, Paul, John, David, etc…) Some interprets the Bible in a more fluid context. They consider it as a guide to help us understand the objective. Who’s correct and/or why can’t it be both?

I’m sure there will be more on this one, but will conclude here to open the door of criticism, damnation and the few who may agree with me.

References & Inspirations

Catherine Lawson – “The Most Segregated Hour in America: Protesting Segregation in the Church”

NPR: Tell Me More – 06/05/09 “Groups of Black Clergy Rally to Support Gay Marriage”

Religious Dispatches – 01/19/09 “King Dares Us to Imagine A Better World”

NPR: Tell Me More – 05/15/09 “Gay Marriage Divides Black Religious Leaders”

We Think Just Like Everybody Else

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Manny Miranda, the chairman of the Third Branch Conference and the author of a letter that has asked Senate Republicans to consider a “Democratic filibuster” against Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, just spoke at the Heritage Foundation luncheon for conservative bloggers.

“Hispanic polls, Hispanic surveys, indicate that Hispanics think just like everyone else. We’re not like African-Americans. We think just like everybody else. When I was on the leader’s staff, someone called me once and asked me: ‘What’s Senator Frist’s Hispanic agenda?’ I said, ‘low taxes, better education, more jobs … what are you talking about?’ And that’s how Hispanics are. This is an opportunity to educate them on all of our issues and they will resonate in the way that they resonate with everyone else.” – Manny Miranda

OH REALLY. And you wonder why… You know what’s the use. Simply Amazing.

Now I would personally like to hear Republicans, especially Black Republicans thoughts about this one.

You tell my Latino and Hispanic friends, “We like you. You’re not like those African-Americans over there” Oh we’re not meaning you Michael Steele, Juan Williams, Secretary Rice, Gen. Powell and the list of other accomplished or notable Black Republicans.

Where are the people who are so quick to tell me that the Republican Party is the party of Emancipation, the party of Lincoln? Where’s the emancipation of rhetoric?

Now before you get on your spill how the Democrats have done this or that, I want to give you the opportunity to explain this statement by your fellow Republican.

For months I’ve consistently warned people against this type of thinking over and over and over again, but I’m the crazy one and don’t know what I’m talking about? I have something against the GOP, but I would love to hear how you answer for this type of language. What I have against the GOP is the same that I have against the DNC and any other organization or individual who adopts this sort of ideology.

Listen to what he’s saying. “Hispanics think like everyone else. We’re not like African-Americans.” So how would you know how Black people think if your only experience with Blacks is the few that work near you or you see when you’re out? That’s right; one of your best friends is Black. I forgot that’s excuses it.

Next point, “We’re not like African-Americans.” What the Hell is that suppose to mean? Better question, what does that statement say about the person who said it? Once again, this is just another example of someone with limited social experience with Blacks. Seriously, if you stop looking down at people and start looking at people as equal, just maybe you’ll recognize that not all Black people think alike. I would love to have a conversation with him. But why not have a conversation with the few Black Republicans left. This really makes them feel welcomed and proud to be a Republican.

As a Democrat who is Black I am confident and secure enough with who I am and what I believe to clearly understand and recognize that there are some very intelligent people who can school you on the eclectic culture that is labeled Black or African-American and be Republican at the same time. I personally admire Joseph Watkins, J.C. Watts and Colin Powell to name a few notables. Get out of your segregated way of thinking. Then you wouldn’t make DUMB ASS COMMENTS like this.

What the Hell am I suppose to think?

This is the problem I keep hammering away at, despite the negative criticism, confusion and reluctance of honesty some have towards open discussion on the issue of race relations. You have further alienation of a party who already has a serious problem recruiting anyone who isn’t a White Male. Keep talking like this and see what happens to the credibility of your arguments to recruit any minority.

White Men or people are not the problem; it’s the thinking as if White men or people in general are the standard upon which we all should be measured upon. It’s the false sense of security of believing one is superior or inferior. The world is made up of more people than one race. You, me, we are just another part of the collective value of man. The days of acting, assuming and accepting White Men as the standard of measurement for the world is over.

While I’m at it I should just go there and say it.

Black people quit accepting and/or subscribing to any suggestion that you’re less than anyone else. You are just as valuable as anyone else. Start acting like it. When we see racism or discrimination we tend to address it. We must all be diligent in continuing this when we see it in our own community, family, and friends or even within ourselves. This means stop discriminating and blaming White people or anyone else for our own mistakes, failures or problems. Not all of the obstructions that prevent us from success as rapidly as someone else is caused by someone else. We can do, because it’s been done. I know it isn’t always fair or equal, but look at how far we’ve come. There’s not excuse to turn around now. We just can’t give up.

To my Hispanic and Latino family, you are a vital part of this community as anyone else. The obstacles you’re facing today are the same Blacks faced and in some cases still do. We walk this journey together. When some seek to divide us by their rhetoric and political posturing the reality is that we are essentially in the same boat. We’ve been friends & neighbors for decades upon decades and the community continues to made tremendous contributions to our society. It’s going to take you, me and many others to break the psychological chains ignorance, hate and discrimination that continue to bind so many people in terms of race today. But it can be done.

To my Gay and Lesbian friends, keep on. I understand your frustration. The fight for equality didn’t end on a Memphis motel balcony in 1968, but only intensified. Continue to fight for what’s right, fair, equal and just. Through propositions, resolutions and conversation with those who choose to embrace discrimination and/or refuse to reconcile the religion of love against the religions of man, I just urge you to keep on.

Equality is not going to be reached if we continue to segregate ourselves. Segregation even in terms of sexual preference. How can we live in a land half slave and half free. Slave as in terms of a mentality that binds us to an ideology, culture or religion of discrimination.
I can go back to the Lincoln-Douglass Debates for context to this problem we continue to have and take it all the way to another speech made by a politician in Philadelphia during March 2008. How else can you say it? How long will we hear people like Mr. Miranda make such statements?

The same Republican Party that Mr. Lincoln was apart of is not the same party it has morphed into today. The Democratic Party of Lincoln’s day was loosely what we see elements of today in the GOP. The GOP is not inherently evil or exclusionist, but they have lost their way in terms of being racially inclusive or tolerant. What happen?

The Democrats are a little better, but as we can reference a year ago, far from perfect. We too need to work with much more diligence to involve more people of color into the inner workings and decision making. We may have successfully won the argument today, but there’s always tomorrow.

What many do not understand about Blacks, Hispanics, Lesbians, Asians, Whites and Muslims are their similarities.

We may have different life experiences, but I can guarantee that we have something in common. Open yourself to diversity. Open your mind to the inclusive ways of thinking. Consider others not like yourself and their life experiences, before judging them by your standards. Most importantly, we must stop defeating ourselves. I’m just asking you to take the opportunity to know someone better and honestly. You are not superior and nor am I or the next person reading this inferior. You may be surprised with the prejudice you didn’t realize you held and recognize the value of diverse experiences.

Now I’ve grown accustom to always having someone misunderstanding this simple message. So I break it down to an easy sentence for those few. “Understand, respect, consider and appreciation people.”

“We’re not like African-Americans. We think just like everybody else” Amazing. Let’s try considering everybody.

References & Inspirations

The Washington Independent – 06/02/2009 “In Court Fight, Hispanics, Unlike Blacks, Think Like Everybody Else”

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates – 1858 “The Lincoln-Douglas Debates”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – 02/04/1968 “The Drum Major Instinct”

John Howard Griffin – 1959 “Black Like Me”

ABC News – 2001 “A Latina Judge’s Voice”

Never Good Enough

Many years ago a racially conscience teacher (who was a White male) told me a truth that was a bit shocking to come from a White male. Although he was not your average guy regardless of race. He told the class “Whenever a Non-White (Black, Latino, Asian, Arab, and Native American) enters a room or position first, the whole race enters in with them.”

This was shocking because I already knew this to be true, but how did he know this? He instantly earned my respect while I was in High School. I was fortunate enough to be apart of one of the most racially, religiously and economically diverse schools in the state. So it was common place to be among people who doesn’t look like you and the social environment was beyond inclusive.

Perhaps that’s my problem. I see nothing wrong with diversity and inclusiveness and it bothers me when I see people who are not open-minded enough to consider another point-of-view.

I understand that some individuals will never fully comprehend the denigrating act of discrimination many endure. The ridiculous accusation of reverse racism in effort to defend their perceived social superiority demonstrates the lack of understanding of racism and/or discrimination.

When you understand that racism and/or discrimination itself does not do what it is, then you begin to realize why you shouldn’t be or do it. Racism is not racist. Anyone of any race can be a racist and demonstrate racism. Discrimination does not discriminate. Anyone can discriminate. So why do we continue to deceive ourselves with actions that isn’t what it is? (Confusing statement, but just think about it)

To be a woman of any race throughout the world you probably have experience some level of discrimination from insecure men seeking to maintain their perceived power.

Latinos in the U.S. are routinely perceived as an illegal immigrant regardless if they were born and raised in the U.S. Completely unfair. The endless fighting in the Middle East, the age old disputes over land and territory between Israelis and Palestinians seem to never cease.

Blacks, well I can go on for hours on this one. As a Black male I can not begin to list how many times I’ve been labeled something that I’m not, even by some who comment on this blog. I believe this one is understood.

Asian, Native-American, poor and/or uneducated Whites are looked down upon by society. Should I even begin with the levels of Gay bashing in our homophobic societies and places of worship? The Arab and Muslim communities are instantly vilified without cause or reason. The thoughts, ideas and suggestions of misguided perceptions are ruining the world. Let’s not even start with the religious bigotry that continues to this day. The Church of any cut of the cloth is not excluded from these activities either.

So I understand the notion of you always have to be twice as good to be considered average by some, but why do we care or even allow our self worth to be measured by the criteria of individuals whose values are skewed, lack empathy and morality is flawed?

Of course I will have my detractors, because they like to identify themselves.

I have continuously strive to hammer this message home to those willing to consider it, this time is no different. Perhaps one day when a minority walks into a room or seeks a position he/she will not be seen as their race or preference (religious or sexual) first, but by the content of their character. I believe we’re finally moving in that direction despite those who insist on opposing it.

Understand that minorities discriminate just like White males do. Women are just as sexist as men. What many fail to do is stop to consider the person they are opposing. If so, we all would realize that I’m just like you and you like me. Once true empathy, concern and compassion are sincerely expressed just maybe we’ll stop the needless Hell we put ourselves through and learn to live and have concern for each other like civilized human beings.

Maybe the silent lessons learned when I was in Jr. High and High School actually stuck. So as I continue do what I can to help people better understand each other I tell anyone who feels they will never be good enough in the eyes of others to never allow yourself to adopt an inferior attitude from people who want you to believe they are superior to you.

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Not So Straight Talk Expressed

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I almost could not believe this one, because I’m generally weary of people who were closely connected to Karl Rove & George W. Bush. But I guess anyone can have a change of heart if former deputy to Karl Rove and John McCain’s 2008 Presidential Campaign Strategist can made a shocking proposal regarding gay marriage. Shocking because it’s a new position from him and those like him to take an inclusive and open-minded position on gay marriage when he has worked tirelessly against the very subject.

Mr. Steve Schmidt said…

“It can not be argued that marriage between people of the same sex is un-American or threatens the rights of others. Denying two consenting adults of the same sex the right to form a lawful union that is protected and respected by the state denies them two of the most basic natural rights affirmed in the preamble of our Declaration of Independence – Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” (Source: CNN)

I’m sure some may unintentionally argue this basic question, “What about my right to discriminate against gays?”

Well it would be un-American for anyone to prohibit your right to protest your freedoms. What would that profit anyone if I or anyone else mounted a campaign against your rights? I’m not forcing you to accept what I believe, but only exercising my right to reason. I do not want to prevent you from discriminating, because I too discriminate against ignorance, bigotry, prejudice and narrow-mindedness. So in efforts for equality I want it recorded that I am not seeking to prevent you from discriminating, just asking you who, what and why you are discriminating.

Anyone can have a change of heart and position. I too have seen the error of my ways and made conscience efforts towards truth and reconciliation. Perhaps Mr. Schmidt is seeking the same.

As one commenter suggested on an unlikely website for this sort of discussion, Mac Life.

“Some Republicans believe the period of self-examination within the party necessitated by the loss of our majority status is mostly a question of whether the party should become more moderate or conservative; I think that’s a false choice. We need to grow our coalition, but as I said, that’s hard to do if we lose some votes while gaining others.”

I find it interesting how he knows what Steve Schmidt planned to say, amazing. 

Even on ultra conservative websites such as Power Line are suspicious of this one. Finally, the left and right agree on something, although both may deny it.

References & Inspirations

NBC News: Washington – 04/17/09 “Expressly Not Straight Talk”