During that time I actually ran for political office, a
state House Seat which I barely lost to a retired postman. It was unique, while
I ran as a Democrat I had garnished the support of the NAACP and the National
Right To Life and many Republicans, some would say strange bed fellows but both
areas of support I appreciated and cherished. From the NAACP for my willingness
to stand up against Dick Riley, (former governor and Secretary of Education
under Bill Clinton) who sought to take
away land rights deeded to a slave right after the Civil War and from the NRTL
for my strong pro-life, Anti Abortion positions. At the time, I even addressed
a strong pro-life position of which I received a standing ovation at the time
the largest Democratic Convention in the Country, The South Carolina Democratic
Convention. It has always been my desire that we come together as people of
faith regarding the need to bring about racial reconciliation. Believe me, I
learned early on, we still needed that reconciliation. That place where we see each other, "judged not based on the color of our
skin but on the content of our character." (Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.)
I learned early on that would be difficult, seeing posters
for the KKK posted around regions of the Upstate where I was campaigning,
hearing the opinions of separatism by the many I came into contact with on the
streets, the looks towards us and our son while standing in line at a grocery
store and I could go on. One particular incident in particular I will mention
is when I appeared as a guest on the Mike Gallagher Show (now nationally
syndicated) with members of the KKK. Mike knew of my situation in adopting a
child of biracial origins when I was trying to make a point to the members of
the KKK on the show who didn't know of my situation. I asked a question to show
and draw out their hatred, as to what their recommendation would be to someone
who had adopted a biracial child but had later recognized the wrongs of their
actions and wanted to join the KKK. Now
understand, this is something I would never consider but I wanted to show their
hatred and lack of understanding live on air. Their response helped me prove my
point, "That person would be better off going to a dog pound and adopting
a dog," they said, "They could at least legally put the dog down
which is what it would deserve." Their anger was fuming, not over the
desire to have others in their organization, but that someone would consider
such an act, which I had not only considered, but done. In that answer, they became vile, hateful, and let their pure hatred shine through. I thought Mike Gallagher would have a heart attack as I think he fully expected me to come across the table after them. But I didn't, I knew they had castrated their own points by the spirit and attitude they had just displayed.
I understand the reality of my situation, while my ancestry is French/Indian, I largely grew up in Black communities, even have a Black son, I appear white and for those that don't know me, that is their first impression. This has me reflecting in many ways regarding the news lately but it also has me reflecting on another church shooting that has 7 people dead in Charleston South Carolina, the birth place of my son. It is unfortunate, that hatred still exists based on little else other than the color of ones skin.
I was a huge fan, still am of the Reverend (I try to never leave that part out
of who and what he was) Martin Luther King Jr. I believe in his approach to
teaching, living and sharing the gospel, I pray for the time when Red and
Yellow, Black and White, and every mixture in between sees each other for the
character of the person and not the color of the skin. I understand the power
of hate but I also understand the even greater power of love. I understand the difficulty
of displaying it, sharing it, giving it, but I also understand the total value
of love I am called to display from the one I call King, that being Jesus Christ.
I have to question, why do so many of his supposed followers choose to display
actions of hate as opposed to actions of love? Why don't we take seriously our
actions and beyond that the struggles of those God would have us call brother
and sister. This morning I am once again, reminded to pray; to pray for the
hurting, the need of our world to experience total, unrestrained, perfect love
that only comes from the Son of God via The Holy Spirit. Today, I pray, I pray for those who suffer at the hands or racism, hate, and a desire to be something other than the intent of God. May all of us who call ourselves Children of God find ways to come together to show the world around us that there is the possibility to love despite differences. In a world where political hatred seems to drive the bus we all travel on, may we seek out a new bus, a new driver, one who would stand for above all things, love and for me, in the conclusion of that, may Christ be glorified and the miracle of love be birthed among those who have never experienced that love.
There will be those who will attempt to justify racism, but I am reminded by the words in
A song I wrote regarding holding fast to dreams. To see the video just click on it, if there are problems, click on the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G58ekJj0F2A
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