By JAMES B-MORE WHARTON
As soon as it seems the dust has settled from years of racism, every now and then the ugliness of racism pokes its head up and takes society by a windstorm; leaving devastation, heartache and chaos. The after effects of this tumorous dust devil seems to divide the races and leave us with a question we all must confront: Am I a racist? So, can anyone emphatically deny being a racist?
Wait a minute! Before anyone answers that question, to be certain, I highly recommend one read this complete commentary and take a good look in the mirror before answering with a resounding no.
As a result of some recent comments made by Mr. Donald Sterling, he has been branded as the poster child for racism. Mr. Sterling is being talked about at the water cooler, pastors are including him in their sermons, and children who do not have a grasp on their ABC’S are participating in this all too important firestorm.
Whether just or unjust, no one could possibly take pleasure in such a defamatory title. But does the mere utterance of words rightfully convict one of such a God-forsaken crime?
Many people have said some things in private and public that could deem them a racist. I have said some things—the readers of this article have said some things—I have heard some pastors say some things—the president more likely than not, have said some things—we all have said some things. So I guess we all are racist.
By applying the standards of racism which were applied to Mr. Sterling to deem him a racist, let’s all jump in the wagon of racism with him and ride shot-gun on a hayride to the hall of fame for racism and make our acceptance speech on what an orgulous journey it took to accomplish such high accolades.
Has anyone considered the legitimacy of Mr. Sterling’s reasoning for making such comments? Or has anyone applied their own deductive reasoning as to how someone could make or even fathom such derogatory statements? Perhaps there is a logical explanation to this dilemma.
A SPOILED BRAT
It is logical to assume that someone who is accustomed to getting their way would resort to directing harsh comments towards someone in an attempt to minimize the damage occurring within from being rejected. Or, be so arrogant that, anyone who refuses them what they want would be look on with disdain. I seriously doubt that Mr. Sterling had the ability or discipline to contain such an egotistical disposition—even if he tried in a million years with every fiber of his being.
FIGHTING WORDS
Whenever two individuals engage in a confrontation, whether verbal or physical, the object is to annihilate the opponent at all cost. Thus, all rules to the game are lost in the abyss of one’s mind, while the remainder of the brain that is still functioning summons words that will be detrimental to its opponent. Alas, I need to conjure words that will take you out.
I WILL DEGRADE YOUR FAMILY
Any decent human-being would be crushed, if not completely devastated, from someone levying words towards its family that are demeaning, and not true, and only serve to defame one’s character. Out of anger, I believe this is the intent of the comments that spewed out of the mouth of Mr. Sterling. Nonetheless, most would agree this is not an acceptable excuse.
HERITAGE CORD
No matter which side of the railroad tracks the train is rolling down on a collision course to annihilate the ethnicity of any group of people, the effects will be devastating and the conductor is fully aware of the destruction that will take place to any impeding obstacles—that’s why the conductor of heritage assassination chose to cross-over to the wrong side of the tracks.
SOCIOLOGY THEORY
Do the way parents raise their children directly affect how children will relate to those outside their norm—especially those of a different ethnicity? I think it would be safe to assume we all would answer that question with a resounding yes. The words spoken by Mr. Sterling more likely than not were so imbedded in him, if not said before, it was only a matter of time until the right impetuses arose to cause the recesses of his mind to speak such vulgarity. So here we are again. Are mere words enough?
During the 60’s, my dad was affiliated with the Black Panther Party. He vehemently detested the White Race. My father couldn’t stand the sight of white people, and he never had anything to say good about them—even though there were many whites who risked their family’s lives to assist in the abolition of Jim Crow and all the evil forces that deemed Blacks as three-fifth’s human. As a matter of fact, if the truth be told, some even lost their lives. But I never see any great fan-fair for them.
Some of the things I heard come from my father’s mouth and his associate’s mouth’s I am too ashamed to say today. Sadly, there are many blacks today, some prominent, who hold the same sentiments for white’s as my father, and use some of the same words he used.
As a result of my upbringing, my dad unknowingly raised me to be a racist. But I will testify in open court that I am not a racist? You might be wondering how that could be.
If not for a white man by the name of Lee Sherman, my basketball coach, who introduced me to Jesus and His agape love I would still be using some of those words, and my ignorance would proceed me. And, anyone who heard me speak those words would be right to deem me as a racist—and that’s a negative. Thank you Mr. Sherman. And may your soul rest eternally in the bosom of Jesus’ comfort. “RIP.”
BLACK ON BLACK RACISM
To many surprise racism within the black community is more prevalent than one want to admit. In my opinion, we as a race of people discriminate against one another more than all the other races put together—point in case. There are plenty of real estate opportunities within the non-affluent sections of the black community. However, there is no gold rush for the elite of society to co-habitat with its kinfolk. Why? Some are now of the upper-echelon and to live amongst the lowly of society is unfathomable—because we are now somebody we face some of the same fears as some white’s. “I can’t live around them N-Words.” I can’t afford to have my kids growing up amongst the likes of them. And yes we do talk and think like that about one another.
If the black community expect other races to respect us and treat us with dignity we must first demonstrate a love for one another that would command being treated in a dignified way by all who enter our presence. My people, we must get our house in order before we can levy complaints against someone else. Let the church say Amen.
Before we begin to assassinate someone’s character based on one incident, put them on trial and convict them without due process, I believe we should do like Michael Jackson said, and “take a look at the man in the mirror. There’s no one on the face of the earth who can exempt themselves from racist comments. Everyone should be allowed to show remorse for a wrong-doing if we believe a wrong has been committed—that’s the least we can do as human beings.
I know it is difficult but we must always seek fair and equal treatment for all no matter how gloomy our system of administering justice may seem. If the shoe doesn’t fit on one foot, the other shoe will be obsolete.
In this case it appears to me that an unfair sentence has been handed down. We can’t keep sending everyone to the Electric Chair for a minor offence to be politically correct. Nor does every crime mean a life sentence without the possibility of parole. If that be the case, there should be a movement to sweep across this country to close down every plantation that housed slaves—but yet, we give expensive bus trips to tour these God-awful sites.
The only explanation I can give for taking Mr. Sterling’s team is greed—point-blank. There isn’t any two ways about it. That’s my two cents. What do you think?