As a youth growing up in the 1950’s and 1960’s in a blue collar neighborhood on the east side of Buffalo N.Y., that was turning increasingly Afro-American, I know first hand what racism is. I grew up in racism and it was abundantly coming from both sides.
Blacks were not a big problem in the high school that I went to. My big difficultly with blacks in those days was not in school it was walking to and from school. I walked three miles through a black section of Buffalo to get to school and to get home. In my first and second year it was not a problem because I could walk with my two older brothers who happened to have the two biggest guys in the whole school as friends that also walked with us through the black section. After they graduated from high school I usually had to walk through the black section alone and I soon got into trouble because black youth were always stopping me hassling me for spare change that I would not give.
One day I got in a big hassle with a group of black teens that told me I had to give them a nickle. They were not taking no for an answer and there was at least a half dozen of them and the boxer want-to-be’s in that terrorist group started into their dance so I took off running toward white America and safety which was still about 10 blocks away. On the run, I encountered other black teens coming from the other direction and not knowing how they would react with a black gang chasing me I knocked a few of them out of my way and just kept running. When I got to the white area those chasing me did not follow me however from that day onward walking to school was like walking through a war zone.
The next day when I walked home there was a gang of twenty or thirty kids just waiting for me to come through. I had to run into a factory to escape them. Police arrived and they dispersed so I got the opportunity to get out of there. The next time I tried to walk home I looked back and there were dozens of blacks closing in fast from behind. I took off running but before I could really get going I got a boot in the butt where I still have a scar today and I saw rocks being tossed past me the size of small boulders. They must of been carrying those rocks because they would not have had time to pick them up. Needless to say, I broke all track records running to white America.
I still attempted the walk to and from school most days to save bus money for cigarettes etc., but I varied my route and timing to try to avoid those that always seemed to be looking for me on the way home. That often meant adding another mile or more to the trip home. At least once I was surrounded by black teens and the only thing that saved my butt was an adult Afro-America male with enough integrity to chastise the gang with a good verbal attack and threats. I soon learned that older black men were more tolerant and fair minded toward white kids then their youth. I always felt more secure when there was a older black male adult on the street when walking in black dominated areas.
Anyway, that is only part of what I experienced in the way of racism as a youth. By living in that black/white war zone among other things I experienced PTSD long before they even defined the disorder.
Shortly after high school I went into the military and met some great black military men. Having one-on-one friendships with Afro-Americans in the military was never a problem but yet I still avoid walking in black neighborhoods alone if I can. I think whites who walk in inner city black areas at night must have a death wish.
By 1968 my parents home was located well within a black neighborhood. I had just returned from Vietnam right after the race riots in the big American cities. Even cabbies would not go into black areas at night during that period. However, once again I learned that there were some black adults of integrity even in those difficult days.
There was a black church on the end of the block and the pastor lived a couple of houses down from my parents. The street that my parents lived on was quite different from most of the rest in that area thanks to a few black men of integrity from that church that did not allow things to get out of hand on their own block. The black people on that block went out of their way to look after my parents. I have to say that whites would never have done the same and they looked after the welfare of my parents for over twenty years. Houses on other blocks in that area of Buffalo have almost all burned down over the years but this block still looks as good as it did the day my parents moved there.
My parents did not drive so my brother took my parents wherever they needed to go. After my brother died, black neighbors from the block came to take my mother shopping until she got so ill that she had to go live with my sister. So I learned through the actions of Afro-Americans on that block that blacks that did not allow themselves to become angry racists were some of the classiest nicest most respectful people of integrity on earth.
A good example of that kind of Afro-American is Herman Cain. In my years in government I have had the pleasure of meeting Afro-Americans like Herman Cain that refused to judge people by the color of their skin and excel at what they do. Most that I got to know left racist thinking behind when they joined the military where blacks were treated as equals and racism was not tolerated. Cain did not join the military but he never took up racism because he had exceptional Christian parents that taught him to strive for excellence and integrity.
Afro-Americans of integrity that worked hard like Cain and that made something of themselves are now being called Uncle Toms by the plantation Negros that never made any effort to become productive human beings. I am sure you know some self-made black men like Cain yourself. Some of these fine Afro-Americans of integrity are conservative columnists that also did not stay on the democratic plantation. Almost all of these black conservative columnists are devout Christians and all are telling the government plantation Negroes that they have been brainwashed and enslaved by the leftist designed collectivist entrapment system.
Which brings up another point. Most Afro-American adults are Christians so why are most black Americans now supporting the likes of those that promote everything anti-Christ just because these evils are promoted by a black or a Democrat? Since when did abortion or gay marriage become acceptable in the Christian black community? And I have news, it was Abraham Lincoln of the Republican Party that freed the slaves not the Democrats.
Some of the Democrat elite want to keep blacks on the government reservation because the white socialist elite think that blacks should be their plantation workers. In contrast, most conservatives always thought that black Americans given the education, have the same human brains to be their peers. It is not conservatives that are making it easy for black youth to abort their next generation. Learn the genocidal racism behind the woman that started Planned Parenthood.
Most conservative people want blacks to be free to be the best that they can be with the gifts that God has given them. The leftist liberal mind offers blacks slavery to government; the conservative Right and Libertarians offers everyone liberty and freedom. Few blacks understand this because the black overseers of the government plantations are making a good living brainwashing and race baiting blacks to keep them government dependents.
For that reason alone I can see where Herman Cain can be a Moses like figure leading blacks out of slavery that has bound them in a psychological and ghetto like Egypt. It is time for Afro-Americans to quit killing themselves and others doing destructive things and strive to be Christians of high moral integrity like Herman Cain. I am not saying that you or I need to agree with all of Herman Cain’s political positions to do that but many Afro-Americans including whites can learn something positive from the Christian worldviews of this man.
Many blacks growing up under women without husbands and that had gangs leaders as role models, never had a strong father figure in their lives. Cain has stepped up to try to lead our nation and other Afro-Americans like him also need to step up and be unquestionable examples of integrity to others.
It is time for a moral revolution in the Afro-American community. The black community definitely could out Christianize the white Laodicean Christians in America if they put their heart and soul to it. Maybe then they can even lead white people to Christ that largely seems to have replaced the Christian message with humanistic philosophies, psychologies, physical prosperity messages and spiritual mysticism.
We do not need an economic revolution in America we need a moral revolution and black men of Christian integrity can lead the way. By gaining riches many white people are gaining spiritual poverty but blacks in poverty working for Christ can gain eternal riches. What gets better than that?
Let your light shine. That is what Herman Cain does and as you see it works. In Heaven or Hell do you really think that the tent color that you live in on earth is going to matter one whit? All whites and blacks need to rise above racist evil that evil men are trying to bring upon Americans and Christians to divide us. Whites can be racists, that we know, but you black people need to pull down your own idols of racism as well. I am speaking of those idols that you follow that are promoting racism in the black community by calling everything that white people do racism. I will even be called a racist by these people for telling people to refuse racism and instead choose to become men of integrity.
I grew up in rural Oahu Hawaii in the late 60s and 70s – as a white kid, I was a minority. I loved school when I was young – white kids played happily with samoan, filipino, japanese, hawaiian – we were color blind. As I got older, I began to be the target of racisim and violence simply because of the color of my skin – I never understood why it mattered. Racism is NOT natural – it is learned behavior, taught by parents and peers to children. It is ugly no matter what the color of the person dishing it out. (or receiving) – how could someone hate me for no reason, that didn’t even know me?
When I later moved to an all white school in Austin, Texas, I was happy to just be left alone, if only because I looked like everyone else. I just wanted to finish school in peace. Now that I was part of the majority, I had no desire to isolate others to repay evil for evil – doing so would not have made up for what I went through. Even as a rebellious teenager that did not know the Lord, I understood that much…
After making a decision for Christ as an adult, I made sure NOT to teach my children racism – by the grace of God, they are color blind as adults! God created man in his image (all men) – skin color does not factor in at all. We are ALL sinners in need of Jesus’ forgiveness…
Herman Cain does appear to be a man of integrity, who does not use race as a means to divide and foment continued hatred. He has chosen not to be a victim, but to work hard and rise above the petty politics of race-baiting. Should he win the nomination, he can count on my vote…
DFW, Texas
Don,
So, it was YOU who I saw in those movies…the white boy being chased through the black neighborhoods : )
Great article with epic truth as usual and you have woke me up to the potential value of Herman Cain in office.
Vince, great testimony as well.
After some thought…
I would like to say that I was raised by wealthy white people who were racist. I think for the white idiocy I was raised by, it was a power play by those relatives of mine, as, the wealthy idiots seem to flock towards anything that makes them feel more powerful and superior.
That being said, I knew even as a young youth, that it was wrong and I made a choice to NOT condone or endorse their racism.
Today, I speak up against people who are racist (or atheists for that matter), my family or no…it doesn’t make me popular, for sure, but it is the right thing to do.
And the democrat party is calling the conservatives racist at any chance they get. No matter what a conservative or republican does it’s racist. By having Cain as a candidate the repubs are called racist for using a black man to get elected. This madness doesn’t end. It’s the LIBERAL MEDIA and HOLLYWOOD and the LEFTIST politicians that are keeping racism alive and well. Rap videos are now showing black gangsters killing white guys and it gets a couple million views. We def need a man like Cain for a role model I agree.
Hi Don:
Awesome post! I’m sorry that you endured such hardship in that area regarding racism, however, I know the Lord uses everything in our lives, past, present, and future to mold us to be the people He wants us to be, if we allow Him to. I especially like what you said about Godly black Christian men standing up to help lead white America, and especially the church to integrity of character that eminates from the Spirit of God. I am a white woman who has two children, one older and one young, from Hispanic males. I have always had a desire in my heart since I was young to see the the hatred of racism end. Now as a Christian, I realize that this will only finally happen when the Lord returns to set up His kingdom but we as the church can and should pray for these very things you speak of. There will be no dividing us in heaven. Then enemy is a loser and will eventually be brought to the full light for all mankind to see just what evil he is and how he has equally hated us all (mankind made in God’s image) and pitted us against each other. It is the same scenario with the Jewish people, same thing, racism and evil false beliefs instigated by the enemy of our souls. He hates us all and just as soon have us wipe each other out than to do the dirty work himself…but GOD!!! We have a redeemer who is faithful and victorious who has won the battle for us. As christians we need to see clearly in this regard of racism and it should have no place in us. Thanks for a really edifying post, again…you’re on a roll :). Amen!
We can thank Darwin for providing a basis for racism to grow and fester. Ironically, many Democrats embrace Darwin for their stand on abortion. “The Negro Project” was a consequence of Margaret Sanger’s (of Planned Parenthood fame) embrace of Darwinism. (The Progressives are busy, with their big erasers, rewriting that chapter of their bloody history.)
Anti-semitic racism continues among Progressive/Darwinists and becomes more more evident, daily.
If truth is spoken regarding the muslim religion, it is called islamophobia. Truth expressed about the races ends up being called racism. Truth will only win in the end, like Lisa said. Jesus is the truth. I have a lovely black daughter in law who was reared in Texas and now have 3 beautiful mixed grandkids. She has stories, too. I am so thankful that the Lord looks on the heart.
Herman Cain is a brave man who has counted the cost of his faith and conservatism before being put under the microscope of public life. I also believe he has integrity. It pained me to see a clip of Hillary Clinton mocking “the pizza maker” to a mid-eastern official. Oh for some humility to be seen our in “leaders”……………..sigh.
Don,
This is a sensitive topic that you have discussed with much kindness. After the presidential primary season starts to wind down, if Herman Cain and Mitt Romney are the only ones left standing, will you support Cain?
luxuryoption,
I will support Cain for President but not Romney
Thank you for sharing this Don!
I have had a mixed-bag of racial experiences:
Where I grew-up in Skaneateles, New York, there was one or two black persons in a two of a couple thousand people. When we would go to Syracuse (where I was born), we saw a significant number of people. From my parents, I saw hints that all was not well between the races…
I never met a black person until we moved to North Carolina in 1976. My parents, and especially Dad, spend a couple months preparing for our move and one of the things they did was to prepare my brother, sister and me to meet black people. I am *so proud* of what they did for us because they presented these new (to us) people in such a positive way and helped us understand that people are people regardless of their complexion. We encountered a two-way culture-shock: northern and southern people are different in a number of ways, as are white and black people. But they did much to make our transition into this new culture with new people as smooth as possible.
I remember on the high-school bus, I was the only white person aboard. Through-out my entire school career in NY, the school bus had been hell for me (just as school itself was), because I was and am such a *different* sort of person. But, coming to NC was a blessing because everything was new, and I was starting fresh, and people were more able to deal with my peculiar, and I was more wary about how I presented myself and interacted with people. I never had a problem on this bus, and I found that I had very few problems interacting with people of other races…
As a young adult, I was walking home alone in Columbia, South Carolina after my car had given-out. It was late, and I was attacked and robbed by three black men. I had known Jesus for a few years, and I remember praying for the men as I was being attacked, and I expected to be killed, and I was asking God how I should react. It was all rather surreal, I was very detached. At some point a police car stopped and the attack was broken-off. I remembered gathering the contents of my day-pack and walking the rest of the way home. I continue to pray…it was the first and hardest lesson I Abba gave me in forgiving others: I gave them a good name, “Sons of Glory,” because I wanted to remember them as how I wanted them to become before God: great in His eyes and their families too. I’ve learned that this is a powerful way to forgive when it would otherwise be very difficult. Everytime they came up, in hurt or fear, I would pray for the “Sons of Glory,” and now the pain is gone, and only my longing for their blessing remains. I’ve since applied this to the many other people who have hurt me including my rapists (“Sons of Tenderness”)…it is very powerful…
Judi and I have had many friends of various races or combinations thereof and I’ve worked with many wonderful people of various races. We’ve been blessed that many of the children we’ve fostered through the years are black, and I remember attending the university graduation of one of our eldest kids: we were almost the only white people at commencement and we whoooped the loudest when Nathalie received her diploma. Later when people asked her who we were, she said we were her white parents! (She’s now a math teacher and going for her masters degree!)
As many positive interactions as my family and I have had, I still have to overcome fearful feelings when I walk late at night and encounter groups of young black men (BUT I have the same wariness with whites too). It helps to pray for them and to realize that whatever happens is in God’s hands…
Now, after all these years, I find it uncomfortable to be in places where there is not a diversity of people – that is, I’m uncomfortable in places where whites seem to be the only people. I want the diversity of people, somehow it seems *right* for there to be different people.
I am also glad that (at least where I’ve been) that the taboo of interracial couples and marriages has diminished or gone away. When we lived in the military town of Jacksonville, NC, there were many Marine couples of mixed race and nobody cared – it was refreshing to us. Honestly, I don’t think people should care. It wouldn’t bother Judi or me if our son or god daughter married someone of a different race.
Another thing I’ve noticed, is that I have encountered more racism coming from members of minorities, than I have seen from white people. Maybe it’s the times and places I’ve been?
Anyway, this is just my little two-cents on the subject…
Brett,
Thanks your two-cents worth is priceless.
I’d also like to thank you Brett for sharing your priceless 2 cents. Your sharing helps our faith to grow. It is evident that the things you have endured have helped to shape the prayer warrior you are, tender and compassionate, yet on the mark. Thanks for your prayers for me personally and for being the person God created you to be.
Hi Don,
I’ve been reading your blog for well over a year but have not posted until now. You all have helped me grow in my faith and I thank you. I grew up in a color blind household in the midwest. I never saw a person of different color except for on TV. A few years ago my family moved to the East Coast and have been suddenly imursed into this multiracial community. I never understood as a child why my parents fought so hard to have a color blind household when many of our friends did not, but now I can not thank them enough as it has made our transition here an easy one. So that being said I’d like to share st thought my morning experience with you. We get eggs from a friend who raises her own chickens and every egg is beautifully made as God designed. Some are green, some are tan, some are dark brown, and some are white. My little boy wanted the green egg this morning and when we cracked it open he was surprised to see that it looked just like the white eggs we buy from the store. So I used this as a teachable moment. We talked about how God made each person unique just like the eggs and although we may look different on the outside we are all the same on the inside. Later I came to Dons blog to see he had written about the same thing. God has often used my quiet time to affirm (or dissaprove)
of what’s going in my life. This is first time he has used Dons blog though!
though!though and thatblog though!
Thank you Don, Lisa and Everyone: likewise, Abba works through you all to grow my faith! It will be amazing to see what He has accomplished through each of you at the Bema!
Would you all please pray for Judi, my wife? She was rushed to the hospital last night with more heart issues and we are here together as she awaits more cardiac tests. Blessedly she hasn’t had to be hospitalized in several months, and this time has been particularly difficult (and I haven’t handled it as well as I usually do). Thank you!
Heavenly Father I ask in the name of Jesus that You heal Judi’s heart and make her whole again. I also ask Father that You place Your hand upon Brett and remove the anxiety from him. In Jesus name.
Thank you Joel, and Everyone; He is answering!
Judi is undergoing a cardiac stress test for the next few hours.
God is good, and He most always shows us someone we can minister to when we have to come here.
Judi has great day-by-day faith and really glorifies Him in her lifelong infirmaties.
Thank You Abba for Your sovereignty over this situation. Thank You for everyone here who knows and loves You. Please glorify Yourself in us!
Precious Father at this moment i lift up Judi in prayer,Lord you know all of her health issues and physical problems. Give her strength to undergo all medical testing that are required we thank you for her faith in you, and we thank you for your love and grace. We trust in you Lord that you are able. Please give Brett peace in his time of need as well. In Jesus name.
Thank you all for praying, it os *such* an encouragement! Judi says thanks too!
She’s back from her stress test, which took several extra hours because of a mistake in the setup. She’s resting now. Tomorrow she’ll get a new IV port to replace her current well-worn-out one. At first the surgeon wanted to remove it without replacing it, then he realized that it’s nearly impossible to give her an IV or draw blood samples without the port because her veins have been so badly worn-out from IVs & blood work through her life, they are now useless. ANYWAY, *this* was an answet to prayet!!! I am encouraged and ‘rested’ with only 3 hours sleep in two days!!
Sorry Don, I’ve taken us off-topic. BUT thank you all for praying, and praying in your posts: I find that incredibly encouraging!!
Thank you all for praying!
Judi’s stress test came-out good, but it looks like she may need some supplemental oxygen at home. Judi is *very* complicated because she’s essentially allergic to herself (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease), and this causes all manner of problems: her body ups and attacks itself in mysterious ways and it’s been a lifelong issue.
BUT, they’ve ruled-out another pulmonary embolism and gotten her fever and potassium/magnesium levels balanced.
SO it looks like she may be discharged later this afternoon.
Again, thank you for praying! (Thank You Abba!!!)
Brett:
I just wanted to say that I have a family-in-law member who suffers with a horrible case of Lupus so I understand what you and Judi are going through. Please remember that the Lord is always with you both and that you are both a witness and testimony of his grace and love. He is using through these situations to touch others, be assured. And know. that it is not in vein, we are rewarded here but our greatest reward will be when we are with him and that may be sooner than we all think. We will all lay aside these earthly tents and receive our new bodies, and I can’t wait for that too. But assure Judi that the Lord sees all and blesses you both greatly. Continue to trust in him. He is faithful. Amen!
Thank you Lisa 🙂
It’s amazing how God uses Judi’s infirmaries and all the “stuff” around it. I know that I’ve had to grow in my faith big-time to be able walk this path with her. For her part, she’s had to grow to walk along with me on my very difficult path: we both have good reasons to want new bodies! I could be wrong, but I think God has received more glory in our dealing with these things day-by-day than if He healed her (or me) in an instant. Our healing is a “done deal,” we simply await its manifestation.
Thank you again Everyone!!
I am Australian and grew up in Northern Australia where there was a considerable Aboriginal population with all the normal problems of minority disenfranchised groups (violence, alcoholism etc). My parents were Christian, but old style English whites who grew up In the 30s and 40s where racism was ingrained in the culture. They were not deliberately racist, but it came through in a lot of their interactions.
I used to worry that I was a racist, as I used to fear the Aboriginal communities and hated walking past them in the street (the unwashed smell was horrific).. I struggled against this, not wanting to judge people by the colour of their skin.
Then one day about 8 months after starting my first job which was clerical based, we were having a morning tea with a group of people who worked right next to us, and I was talking to one of the ladies I interacted with by the name of Brenda. I was talking away, and all of a sudden I had a blinding moment of revelation. Brenda WAS Aboriginal. It was so obvious.. She had dark skin, and the distinct flattened nose that all Aboriginals had. I had been working with her for 8 months, and this was the first time I had noticed! I remember thanking god because I realised all of a sudden that I wasn’t racist.. It wasn’t the black skin I was hating/scared of ..it was the situation that that black skin was in.. The violence.. The poverty.. The alcoholism etc. I remember this across some 30 years now, and it’s still a defining moment for me. Even if racism is in our culture.. god is great, and can change everything about us that he/we don’t like.. We just have to ask.
Don,
I encourage you to continue with this ministry, web site, watchman, and excellent blog articles as such.
The wi-fi provided by Xantara at the lodges on the south rim was practically unusable. I managed to get a partial load of the page. Of course, I have the revelation commentary in PDF and continue to study – most evenings, vacation or otherwise.
Off topic – it is a bit infuriating that our tax payer $$$ are blatantly purporting “millions of years” (using “rock radation” as their time mechanism, which is a total lie — unstable radiation works against evolution, not for it, but I digress).
As for government, the big push now seems to be to promote homosexuality at ever corner.
As for ethnicity, I am in the wait stage as to what efforts the media will attempt to demoralize Cain’s campaign.
Craig,
I’ve already read some early Herman Cain smear attempts…of course, as things get closer to him possibly being the candidate, I’m sure it will become more abundant.
Thank You Everyone Who’s Prayed for Judi and me…
She was released from the hospital recently, doing much better; she’ll be on home oxygen for a month or so as she re-builds her lung capacity. The doctors were talking about home-oxygen before they knew they were dealing with double-pneumonia, so I was afraid she might have to be on O2 for the rest of her life. BUT, with it “only” being pneumonia, here need for oxygen should be temporary (Thank You Abba!!!).
God did use us to bless a few people in all this, so perhaps that was His purpose…
Take Care Everyone! 🙂