I had an epiphany yesterday. I am currently transcribing a doctors’ conference that was held a couple of weeks ago, virtually, to amend their organization’s bylaws and constitution or whatever they call it. Much of what I heard them discussing yesterday was racism. At first I thought they were proof that there is no systemic racism, because the President and President-elect, who were the first to speak on it, are both black. But as I listened to what they all had to say, taking out all the anger and vitriol, I realized that there is a conversation and agreement that is needed in our society.
Laying aside politics, ignoring BLM, not making a statement on whether or not blacks are oppressed or the question of racism being systemic, not condemning any group, and not calling for any anti-police actions, the time has come to put racism on the public stage. I am among those who thought that was done already with the advancements made in the past, but having to listen closely to what was being said, because I was making a verbatim transcription, I finally saw the heart of the matter.
A woman spoke of something that happened to her husband in her presence years ago. My first thought was that it probably wouldn’t happen now, but the epiphany was that she still feels it. There is a residue of fear and apprehension that comes with having experienced persecution at the hands of those in authority, with the law behind them, having no regress. As long as there are people who fear it happening again with no lawful response, there is still need to make a change.
Recognizing that some will always have those personal thoughts and feelings, what is needed is a loud and united voice condemning the actions, recognizing that they did happen and shouldn’t have and that they cannot be allowed to happen again. The reason this is needed is twofold: one, to give those in fear of it the reassurance that society as a whole has their back in preventing racist acts; two, to put those with racist bigotry, or any other bigotry for that matter, in their hearts on notice that they are going to have to keep those feelings to themselves and not act on them because it won’t be tolerated.
A leader of my church spoke yesterday at BYU about the issue, and I’m sad to say that the reaction online from members of the church was very argumentative. He spoke of being united and loving one another and recognizing we are all children of God, members of the same family, letting go of what happened in the past so we can have a better present and future. He acknowledged the peaceful protests and the issue they brought to the forefront of the public discussion and basically said we have to look at this issue of racism separated from BLM, violent protests, political ideas and the presidential race that is currently underway. The responses did not put aside those things but insisted they are the issue. They are not. Those are separate and using the issue as an excuse or backdrop.
This conversation is being had. The peaceful protests worked. They got society’s attention. We are addressing the attitudes, thoughts and feelings. We have to put aside the hate and the attacks. I know that the group that is using this issue as a way to advance their cause is going to continue to cloud the issue, but those of us who are truly vested in a peaceful, lawful society where everyone feels valued and protected, need to acknowledge the feelings of those who still feel the sting and allow them to express that and just promise that we won’t allow it to happen again with seemingly silent approval. At the same time, we cannot respond to hate with hate, or we just add fuel to the fire. Peace, not anger; acceptance, not denial; understanding, not condemnation; love, not hate.
When I saw these two black leaders talking about systemic racism, I asked myself what is systemic racism. Maybe I don’t understand what that is since the system has allowed people of all races and ethnicities to excel and thrive. My definition of systemic is not that it is in the official organizations or systems of society, but that it is in the system of the human heart. It does exist, and always will. There will always be some who have these bigoted feelings and thoughts. No one can change that except for the individual. It is in their system. But we as a collective can systemically call them out as wrong and stand with those who have felt the sting, fear feeling the sting and desire to live free of that fear.
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