"What does the term 'racial reconciliation' mean to you? "
Long story short, a college bound student approached me seeking help in writing an essay for a potential scholarship. She has already been accepted to a private Christian college that is predominantly white (maybe 5% Black at best). She is applying for one of their multi-cultural scholarships. This girl is biracial (father Jamaican/Black and mother white). She was raised primarily by her mother and her mother's parents in a predominantly white town (90% white). She can describe to me some instances of racism/prejudice that she experienced but is totally unsure of how she has experienced or practiced racial reconciliation.
To be honest, I'm not familiar with the term. My knee jerk reaction was to view this as some convenient way for both sides to come together, sing Kumbaya, and forgive past wrongs. However, I can't imagine it's that simple. I've done a little preliminary research and results seem to be mixed.
Thoughts, experiences? Any advice you can share that could assist me in guiding this individual?
It's a way for conservative christians to use Jesus to coerce black people into forgiving them for prior acts of racism like slavery, Jim Crow, segregation, prison industrial complex etc. Jesus loves you and remember Christians donated to black homeless people so forget about that pesky racism direct and indirect.
Legit guide her using scriptures to frame this argument so she can get the scholarship. Include every day examples from her life of christians doing good things in her community and people coming together as a result of it. Tell her to ignore her feelings on the issue and merely look at this as an opportunity to get a bag to earn an education.
2. "Appreciate the helpful advice..." In response to Reply # 1
>https://www.google.com/search?q=racial%20reconciliation#q=racial+reconciliation+definition > >It's a way for conservative christians to use Jesus to coerce >black people into forgiving them for prior acts of racism like >slavery, Jim Crow, segregation, prison industrial complex etc. >Jesus loves you and remember Christians donated to black >homeless people so forget about that pesky racism direct and >indirect.
That was certainly my first thought when she mentioned the topic so naturally I cringed. I get the idea of giving whites/non-blacks the benefit of being a good person and not racist, BUT, I can't get with the idea of simply forgiving past wrongs and ignoring the current racist power structure our society operates under. > >Legit guide her using scriptures to frame this argument so >she can get the scholarship. Include every day examples from >her life of christians doing good things in her community and >people coming together as a result of it. Tell her to ignore >her feelings on the issue and merely look at this as an >opportunity to get a bag to earn an education.
I'll try this. Problem is, we live in a very conservative and overwhelmingly white city. Not many white folks are really interested in reaching out to Black folks unless it's on their terms. Obviously she interacts with tons of white people at her church and in the community, but I don't know if it's ever been in the spirit of racial unification.
The girl is very talkative to me and others she's comfortable with, however, in social circles she's very quiet. This may be a tough task, but I'll do my best to help her win this scholly.
Atillah Moor Member since Sep 05th 2013 13825 posts
Tue Jan-10-17 07:28 AM
4. "That someone wants to have their cake and eat it too" In response to Reply # 0 Tue Jan-10-17 07:35 AM by Atillah Moor
Or they're completely ignorant of the reality of the constructs nature. Honestly I feel it's something people need to shut up about.
Does she know much if not all of the bible is based on accounts from black sumerians almost 1000 - 2000 years prior to the Hebrew bible (who were also largely black)? I have a feeling this Christian college isn't going going to help anything, lol but you didn't ask about all of that.
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79621 posts
Tue Jan-10-17 07:54 AM
6. "No one is trying to have that type of convo about the Bible" In response to Reply # 4
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79621 posts
Tue Jan-10-17 10:06 AM
8. "Shit ain't changing bruh... " In response to Reply # 7
White folk aren't going to let us Black up the Bible.
That's a convo for us, not them
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79621 posts
Tue Jan-10-17 07:52 AM
5. "WPS... this is a question for a minority scholarship? FOH" In response to Reply # 0
I wonder if white kids have to answer that question for a scholly at that college
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
11. "Probably not. It's one of the school's few 'multi-cultural' scholarship..." In response to Reply # 5
so it's only open to non-white students. It's a good chunk of change that will help offset some of the costs for her (she's already been offered a lot, but the school is expensive). I don't know the specific question, but it's something along the lines of..."describe how racial reconciliation is important to the church, school, and community."
You obviously bring up a great point, but this individual obviously perceives things differently, and socially, is on a much different level. The school is a decent fit for her bc she's conservative (not politically, but in her behavior and religious beliefs) and a bit naive & sheltered. She needs a smaller school setting where she'll get more individualized attention too.
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79621 posts
Tue Jan-10-17 10:53 AM
13. "Ok, the way the question is framed makes sense" In response to Reply # 11
i thought they were asking her to give a personal example.
I think she can flip it into how the church and university can do this...
Easy answer tho... more minority scholarships larger presence/voice on campus church outreach/partnership with multicultural churches Volunteering
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
On a personal level it's a bit harder. For my college essay years ago I wrote about how I never thought black people and white folks could reach true reconciliation and how my opinion changed when I saw a white classmate care for her black boyfriend who was dying of cancer. I think in retrospect I regret the essay but the college admissions folks eat shit like that up.
********** "Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson
14. "Appreciate the help. Will definitely read and share. " In response to Reply # 10
The problem with this topic is that sure, you can cite many individual examples of racial reconciliation, but there is very little evidence of it happening on a more macro level.
>On a personal level it's a bit harder. For my college essay >years ago I wrote about how I never thought black people and >white folks could reach true reconciliation and how my opinion >changed when I saw a white classmate care for her black >boyfriend who was dying of cancer. I think in retrospect I >regret the essay but the college admissions folks eat shit >like that up. > > >********** >"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then >they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson > >"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"
20. "Bruh, I just gave you an example of it working on a macro level . " In response to Reply # 14
>The problem with this topic is that sure, you can cite many >individual examples of racial reconciliation, but there is >very little evidence of it happening on a more macro level. >
********** "Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79621 posts
Tue Jan-10-17 10:56 AM
16. "gotdamn I know they loved that essay. " In response to Reply # 10
That shit sounds like an after school special with the Othello chick
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79621 posts
Tue Jan-10-17 01:30 PM
19. "how will you help us be less racist to you guys" In response to Reply # 18
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
22. "RE: What does the term 'racial reconciliation' mean to you? " In response to Reply # 0
I think the Mandela link is the sort of thing they would be looking for.
Truthfully a lot of the recent (and past) racial reconciliation stories I've heard in the media make me feel uncomfortable. Some recent examples are:-
-The black guy who forgave the old man who punched him at the Trump rally.
-The model who forgave the guy who had took a group photo with her and said something like 'I can't believe I had to be next to the nigger'
-The waitress who was told by a white couple 'we don't tip black people'. The waitress subsequently said she would be happy to serve the couple again, and got praise for saying that.
Basically when there is an undeniable (or even acknowledged) act of racism that no rational white person can deny, then it always seems the next step is for the black person to act righteously and forgive the perpetrator.
Often race reconciliation seems to me to take away a black persons right to feel aggrieved, without an adequate time of healing for the individual.
It's not the concept of reconciliation or forgiveness that I'm against but rather that white folk when wronged/offended can reserve the right not to forgive a black perpetrator in some open public forum.
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