Courageous conversations austin10/4/2023 ![]() The reality is, it is not like I don’t know what is going on. I can orchestrate my support at my convenience and level of desired cost. ![]() It is one of the aspects of white privilege that I enjoy. After all, someone has to set up the podium! Of course, for those who have trouble getting up in the morning, there is always a good forum or discussion to attend (my preference of choice) where we can act out our support. Just make sure you check the Capital event calendar to pick a good day for a rally. Nothing like a good march or protest to the state capital, especially if it is a nice day out. And hey, today, denouncing such an obvious incident doesn’t even hurt! Haven’t seen a fire-hose at a capital rally in ten years of living in Austin. With today’s media and social media capacity, there is usually a paper (well…digital) trail to keep it in the visual forefront, making it difficult for even the staunchest skeptic. It is hard to “rationalize” an atrocity away. Atrocities are easy to denounce publicly. It is not the first time that whites have gathered with indignant reactions to such obvious atrocities. So, why WOULD African Americans show up for one more conversation about race, as if they don’t know what is going on?” That may seem confusing for us whites who truly with great intention, want to end the systemic presence of racism within our community. Just to be clear, I am one of those white. We (whites just to be clear) really shouldn’t need to be awaken by the occurrences of such violent incidents on national television, or “iron fist” that he refers to. The “velvet glove” of racism as Joseph Barndt refers to it, is woven throughout our immediate social structures. Why does it take several high-profile incidents of police shooting an African-American male to get whites to take notice? There is enough going on within our own spheres of involvement with regard to racial intolerance, that we don’t really need a national event to raise our radar. Why would African Americans want to attend such a forum? What do they have to gain? What is the new knowledge they gain about racism? I think the better question is: What is their fatigue level in listening to “whites” stumble through our awareness building process of understanding our unrecognized bigotry or at least our unintentional participation in sustaining the wheels of systemic racism in our community? That was a mouthful. The question raised prompts several questions from me in reaction. ![]() Ironically, many of these forums have also been predominately attended by whites, well, maybe not so ironically. It comes to mind with each forum I have attended since then, that seeks to discuss racial intolerance, or intolerances of any kind. The question that was raised has stuck with me ever since. Where were the African-Americans when whites were ready to talk? We had close to, if not more, than 100 people in attendance, but the majority of those present were Caucasian. “Why were they not there in more mass?” “Why weren’t the historically African American faith congregations joining this discussion, one initiated by leaders in the community dedicated to eliminating systemic racism in our community?” Well, maybe not exact quotes, but they capture the thoughts. The desired outcome of these forums still seems to be open for determination, but it seems like a positive step, for now, I think.Īt one of the forums, the question was raised concerning the lack of more African-Americans attending. The forums began as a response to the many incidents of racial bias and police brutality making national news over the past year. The forums are intended to bring together parishioners from several of the Roman Catholic Churches and has branched out to include Lutheran and Methodist churches here in the area. Several weeks ago I attended a monthly forum titled “Courageous Conversations” about racism within the City of Austin.
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