America has been locked in racist conflict for its entire history. The oppression and abuse of racial groups, most notably Americans of African ancestry, is ongoing, real and pernicious. Despite centuries of experience with the damaging effects of racism, Americans remain divided into groups pitted against each other based on skin color and ideas about ancestry.
Can there ever be a 'winner' in a tit-for-tat battle for racial supremacy? Can those in power, despite their insecurity about losing power and becoming a less-than, looked-down-upon racial group, find a way to reconcile with those who have been oppressed and less-than in the past? Or will they cling to power and continue to oppress as much as they can get away with in order to maintain the upper hand? If a racial community is primarily motivated to gain power-over another racial group, isn't it just establishing the conditions for a backlash by that group and a continuing cycle of oppression, abuse and injustice? What if leaders in all racial communities had the courage to be doggedly persistent in seeking dialogue with leaders of opposing racial groups, even those that have oppressed and abused their community in the past? What if leaders encouraged the members of their communities to seek and engage in quality dialogue with members of opposing communities? What would that dialogue look like? Could it focus on solutions to current problems and reconciliation going-forward or would it need to address past wrongs and injustices and focus on reparations and remedies? ORANS wants help in answering these questions. Will you be part of continuing racial tribalism that divides and destroys or will you #JoinORANS to #FightTribalism. Reach out to us if you want to be part of the solution. Submit a comment through our Contact Us page or through Facebook or Twitter. Comments are closed.
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