Race and other Relations

My truck overheated and I had to have it towed.  It was a half hour ride with Chuck the tow truck driver.  Chuck was Caucasian, in his early fifty’s with greying hair and a beard.  Our conversation eventually led to him telling me a story about his neighborhood.  When he bought his house there was vacant land in the area.  After a few years low income housing was built and the neighborhood took a turn that found him a bit unwelcomed.  Driving down the road to his house he would receive shouts of cracker muther f’er…only in the full text.  Anyway this went on for a bit until he had had enough one evening and got out of his truck and exchanged words with some of his tormenters, his side arm in full view.  He didn’t share the exact words exchanged but the tone soon changed and the shouts dwindled.  

As time went on his neighbors soon realized he was also a mechanic.  And over time he started working on some of the neighborhood cars in the area.  Getting to know more and more of the middle and older generation living in the area, he became a friend, accepted and respected.  His attitude changed along the way as well, no longer feeling defensive in his own backyard.

I share many personal stories on this blog.  But I really love to hear stories like Chuck’s.  To hear an experience played out over time that resembles others you’ve heard or experienced yourself, is encouraging.  It reaffirms the opposite of what we see and hear in the mass media today.  Outsiders to our country must think we are a dysfunctional bunch of crazed killers.  Nothing could be further from the truth, but what is on the news….the bad side of humanity….continuously.  If our airwaves are being monitored across the universe, which they are, what impression are we making?  But you know, as I do, there is far more good in our country than bad. 

We are a product of our given bloodlines and the environment we surround ourselves with.  Unfortunately for many in this country that environment is less than healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually.  Surrounded by an environment of prejudice, jealousy, vanity, hate, suppression and distrust what else is one to expect?  Our children deserve better, they are the future of our country.  We should surround them with brotherhood, compassion, understanding, love, opportunity and wisdom.  This is impossible to do with a parentless family and a divisive social structure and media.

What is your view on the other races of people around you?  I have had good and bad experiences, but no different than with my own race.  Which begs the question….what’s the difference other than the way we look and the environment we come from.  What do we remember, the good or the bad, what someone else tells us, or our own inner thoughts and emotions.  I refuse to believe that every experience you've had outside your own race was negative.  My positive memories far outweigh the negative, but we are influenced towards perceiving the negative is more the norm.  To create confusion and mistrust is a powerful weapon, and that message permeates our society in many ways. 

We are blessed to live in a diverse nation.  The culture mix of our society can be seen as either a positive or negative.  As we grow as a nation we should put the past in its proper place, as history, and let it guide us but not control and agitate us.  We are all one race under the eyes of God; it is our interpretation of the world and people around us that is clouded and separated as a society. 

Many feel that only money or force can accomplish anything.  Over the years our cultural environment has been manipulated by wealth and subtle force to mold us into the society we are.  However, we all must do our part to rise up and realize the good inside of each of us and cherish it, no matter what mass media portrays. Grow the good and bury the bad as we seek brighter horizons and strive to be “One Nation under God, with Liberty and Justice for All”, as promised us all… ages ago.  

Holy Weeks are a special time for many in this world.  For others….not so much.  In any case I worship in mostly personal ways.  I like to explore the Bible and have the Lord direct me to a place of learning.  The Bible has many mysteries and one of the hardest to explain is man’s relationship to God and where Jesus Christ fits in that conversation.  Take a moment if you will and read Hebrews Chapter 2.  The author of Hebrews is unknown but it is a great book to read to understand the relationship between God, Jesus, man and why Jesus came into our Earth.  The second chapter explains the reason for His death and resurrection, how He relates to His brethren, which is all of us, and why He will never forsake us.  Just as we put our trust in Him, He puts His trust in us.  What could be a better testament to your faith than to know the One you put your faith in….has just as much faith in you.  Read Hebrews chapter 2 carefully and you will see several answers to the questions many have in this world today.  

In our desire to win the race of life, let’s not forget we are all in the race together.

Prosperity through Peace & Prayer my friend.