Loosening The Bonds of Racial Tension

Loosening The Bonds of Racial Tension

Here goes. I am an old white guy living in Atlanta - the capital of southern racism - who wants to make a statement about race relations in America today. It's not an easy task, mainly because racial unrest is reportedly high, at least that's what we see daily on television news reports. And, what does an old white guy raised in a racially segregated Chicago 60 years ago know about the issue of today's African Americans?

To answer that, allow me to establish myself as one who speaks from experience, not from a vacuum. This is really not about my trying on the hero's mantle, but a treatise as to why I feel my observations are mat least marginally credible.

I will stick to things I know and not deal with things I don't. I will couch things in the context of a lifetime spent in social services, not banking. I have seen the other side and today I have a slew of friends who are people of color. Yes, we know each other's names and phone numbers. Three of my ethnic neighbors regularly tell me I am their "favorite" neighbor, maybe because I do everything I can to help them, as they do for me.

Regularly, to my wife's embarrassment, I speak to strangers, many of whom are African Americans who seem pleased to engage in conversations, and often stranger hugs. Things like this used to annoy me when my dad did them, but I have his outgoing nature and use it as an ambassador for racial goodwill every chance I get. (Now my kids get embarassed with me.)

Maybe its because of the over-publicized nature of racial tension in America, and my upbringing and experience, but I go out of my way to open doors for ethnic strangers, some of whom are older than me, but also for those younger who look shocked to see a smiling, chatty old white guy showing them such respect.

I interact playfully with almost every African American person I meet. And they always respond politely and with warmth. I love every one of my "kids" who serve as waiters in restaurants and clerks in stores, many of whom work in jobs that are far from career-level opportunities. I also ask if I can take their pictures so I can remember their names the next time we meet. My wife and I also help a number of them with tangible and emotional support when we perceive a need. It is no stretch to say that I am positively involved with, not removed from, the African American and ethnic pulse of my world.

As I said, I am no hero, just a friendly old guy who wants to reach across the racial barriers to make my neighborhood and city a better place, one encounter at a time.

That said, my first observation about today's unrest is that there is a great deal of pent-up anger in both white and black communities. Some is spilling out right now in the cities, and some is boiling beneath the surface of people fed up with all the crying we see from community activists who appear to want us to hate each other. Because of them, a racial war is not something that can be discounted as impossible in the near future.

Most of these tensions are NOT generated, however, by average citizens. Everywhere I go people are friendly, if not deferential, polite, generous, kind and courteous. My feeling is that very few people create any problems but most want peace. Clearly, it's the professional racists who feed on fear and anger, taking every opportunity to stir up the passions of marginalized youth for some ideological or political gain.

When national leaders of racial movements see the opportunity to advance their agenda in front of a camera, they naturally seize it. They often import protestors, rioters and convince vulnerable kids to “feel the burn”,  and naturally some choose to hit the streets, usually armed with bad behavior and catchy slogans that are neither accurate nor fair.

It doesn't matter that Trevon was the aggressor in his tragic shooting case,  and according to grand jury eye witnesses, he never said "Hands up, don't shoot!". But the professional racists perpetuate that chant because it supports their script, true or not.

Finally, every shooting by a police officer, justified or not, is a tragedy, but the professional race-baiters want it to be all about racism, maybe because it helps their political agenda. Each shooting or beating is a different case, each tragic, all based in the moment and the actions of both parties, not just “racists” cops.

The perception that white cops are always out to abuse and diminish minorities is pure bull. Does that ever happen? Sure, but not as much as the professionals want you to think. Remember, racial tension is good for their brand, but not for America.

To the race baiting professionals, the masses of people peacefully and respectfully co-existing is not good for business. I believe they crave the opportunity to get in front of the camera as the public voice for all oppressed minorites, pleading for funding while vieing for the empty throne of the noble Martin Luther King Jr.

I find myself trapped between loving every African American I know, and hating the race I don't know. How is that possible? The answer is simple. African Americans are not being served well by those who clam to represent them or report on them. The business of racism is pure gold when it hits the air waves, but I never experience those angry protestors in my world. I see wonderful people who contribute far more to me than I do to them.

Truthfully, if either side of the color line base their feelings in the bunk the media sells, not face to face interactions, they will either become overt or subliminal racists, and the tension created by them will only be released in violence and more tragedy.

The dream of MLK is the same for all of us.  Let's do what we can to forget the color of our race and just be contributing members of the human race.

Jack C. Getz