A World Without A Judeo-Christian Worldview
One of my readers, a well-read and respected advisor to some very important people, sent me this. Since this is not a politically correct site, I chose to post it. And since I travel all over the world, I can tell you that what this woman writes doesn’t just happen in Africa. It happens everywhere that the population isn’t exposed to the God of the Bible. I shudder to think what will happen to the West when it eventually leaves its biblically-based culture behind.
Read this: CLICK HERE
or
and see what the world is like outside our bubble.
Skip
I have experienced this as a traveler in Mexico and Central America…seeing people defecate below the high tide line on the beach where I was looking to go surfing. Not just an individual but several people spread over the sands as I stood there at sunrise. I didn’t go surfing there.
That also caused me to not be so quick to take a cooling swim in the jungle rivers where I knew towns were upstream along that river.
But let’s add this to the conversation…how much do we know of the operations and cultural conduct of the land that Yeshua walked on? Or Moses? How about Abraham? Not knowing what the culture is like of those foreign to us causes us as this writer points out, to insert our own ideals and cultural influences upon the lives of those foreign to us that they may not have applied to themselves. What we use to fill in the blanks about those who some desire to come wholesale to this country today, is also the machination of how we / most of us approach our application of Biblical understanding. Neither may be less destructive or threatening to life as we know it.
Isn’t it interesting that the biblical Torah tells people what to do with shit? We tend to skip over those verses, but maybe we should realize that this instruction alone makes Torah different than other cultures.
The majority of Africans that come to the U.S. are not those that are depicted in this article!! Please do not spread the false narrative that Trump is pushing. It’s racist and offensive! I am African American and before anyone starts down the defending Trump road, I’ve voted Republican most of my Life! I’m not saying the statements depicted in the article aren’t true, they just shouldn’t be used to continue a bias against Africans or any other group of people whose culture isn’t like ours! The statistics show that Africans that come to the U.S. are more educated than most Americans. They come here as doctors, scientists, engineers, etc. and help improve our country. I personally know many of them. And there are some who came as refugees that work harder than a lot of Americans I know. So, please stop!
But you missed the point. The point is that SENEGAL is like this, and so are a lot of other African countries and other places in the world. The point is NOT that some Africans are doctors and teachers and educated, etc. Of course they are! The point is about the CULTURE in Senegal, and I don’t think the author is pushing Trump. She is merely telling us what is the reality in this country, and I am noticing that it is a country without a biblical ethics and that makes a huge difference. So, there is no racism here. This is just “here’s what’s really happening” stuff from someone who lived there. I would say something similar about places I have been, where the reality is not like the media says it is. This is about CULTURE and underlying ways of life. That’s all.
No, I’m not missing the point! The headline in her article is that Trump is right! That’s what people see, that’s what they read, and it is a false narrative. This simply promotes racism! Most people already know that many cultures that are not like our American culture has third world ideas! This is limping This is not helping any of us. It does not help any of us to grow to be the people that God wants us to be.
Skip, I’m not going to debate culture and ways of life. Our country’s way of life 150 years ago was slavery and systematic racism still exits in our culture! American culture is also filled with greed and many other immoral acts! That is an entirely different subject of which I believe is not the point of her article! I see her point as trying to portray Africans, (Senegalese or otherwise) as uncouthed people in general and that is racist!
You can disagree with my comments, but the facts still remain…our American culture has racism, greed, bigotry, and all of the other immoral acts that the Bible talks about! Go back and read the article in which we are talking about! The author is spewing racism and nationalism! Look at the ads that are on the website!!! Is that what believers in YHVH need to be doing? We Americans are way too hypocritical and self-righteous! I have also noticed that anytime someone speaks truth about Trump, there are thumbs down. So be it! Love YHVH, love people!!!
Inetta, please go back and read the Torah and see who was acceptable to come into His nation and who wasn’t. There were some intense disposal means of those nations that failed to meet a certain standard that God set…by the way it was God who established national borders. The people who God wanted to be His in that land God promised to their fathers were expected to act in accordance with Torah principles. I don’t find Yeshua being any different in that expectation.
I don’t think any part of the description provided by this writer would be acceptable to God’s standards so I can’t fault a government to demand certain standards be met…and that usually comes from those who hold similar standards in some form.
And please study the results of Germany’s ‘non-racism’ or what is going on in France. And if you have a chance knock on my door and I’ll show you whats happening in San Diego that no one wants to talk about.
“everywhere that the population isn’t exposed to the God of the Bible”
The real inconvenient truth.
Before this discussion goes too far, readers of this piece really should check out the facts. Go to snopes.com and read what may–or may not–be true about this particular post that has been circulating online.
By extrapolation, then, anywhere you find flush toilets are you more likely to find a: a Biblical worldview” or b: economic prosperity? Would that make ancient Rome more Biblical than ancient Judea, in that Rome had flush toilets and Judea had people shitting in dirt? I agree with Inetta: this is way too simplistic . I don’t shit at low tide marks, but, then, perhaps I enjoy more options. I notice it does not take most people a “biblical ethics” approach to get them to use a toilet: it takes a toilet. I refuse to share a comparison of my “biblical ethics” with, say, China, just because we both have more flush toilets than say, Senegal.
I never for a moment thought I would ever see the word Shit on this blog. I guess I thought it far more likely I’d see Shiite. The Torah does indeed cover disposal of one’s own castings. I did not find anything that perpetuated racial bias in any of the American Thinker’s piece.
BTW my spouse is not white, but I usually don’t notice.
I did not find racial bias in the piece either.
The reason Skip posted this article was to show that a world without Judeo-Christian ethics is a sewer. As Americans, we are blind and uneducated to other parts of the world and the actual truth of the cultural mores. I understand that the discussion being about Africa automatically raises the hackles of many as racist. The truth hovers somewhere between our view of the National Geographic Africa and the ugly truth of war, poverty, slavery, disease, and the darkness that is a result of ignoring the God of the Universe. God loves all of His creation but, The Light of The World brings blessings to those who have a relationship with Him. Some will say that they never knew Him. It is not valid to assume they have no realism of monotheism or Judeo-Christian ethics when the Muslim religion and Koran teaches them about their god and the morals and ethics of that faith versus others. If our nation continues to ignore The Father, we will be headed down the slippery slope to join all those living in that sewer.
Those are valid points, but I think you did a better job of pointing them out, Cynthia. I, of course, agree with you, but don’t think that is the WAY the point was being made, here. I am objecting to how it was being made.
I think we are living in the nation with the most spiritual, mental and physical ‘food’ on the planet, but the rest of the planet sees what we do not; that we are “wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked”. America may still be envied, but I don’t anybody really likes us much any more. We need to ask ourselves why. Besides, our physical, mental and spiritual sickness rates are now registering right down there with most third world countries, which is a really damning barometer, if you ask me. That food must not be very nourishing!
That does not mean, as intimated, that we should just go ‘join’ our third world brothers and sisters (however you do that): I think we should instead spend our time remembering that people in glass houses should not risk throwing stones. I fear we have a huge case of blindness because of our two-by-four in the eye way of thinking that we are spiritually superior already (the big illness of the Jews in the time of Christ), and we don’t need make it worse. Perhaps we may be way too close to our own sewer right now, ourselves?
I think it has been a long time since we have looked much like a Judeo-Christian nation to any other nation. If we did, perhaps Senegal might be better off right now?
Laurita…I agree. After traveling around the world during my lifetime, I have seen the ‘best and worst’ of humanity. There are good and happy people to be found in most places. I would love to believe that it is the result of their personal relationship with The Father. Sadly, that is not the case in cultures that are oblivious to God’s Law. Where there is Torah, there is Light. Our nation is still receiving His blessings. There are both good and bad people everywhere but, the nations that have prospered are those with a foundation established on Judeo-Christian principles. As for living in a ‘glass house’….I see things a little differently. Human nature is envious, jealous, and angered when it sees itself as not being equal with those who are obviously blessed. This is not new. God’s people in Egypt were enslaved because of this. The United States has been more generous with money and aid to those nations needing help. We created a dependency on our generosity to the point that there is no gratitude and an expectancy for more because there is never enough to satisfy the nature of man. Is this not same way we treat The Father? Yes, we are close to the sewer. Did you know that there are people in NYC that have lived in the sewers? When questioned about how and why, they said that after awhile they no longer smelled the decay. Our blessings will continue to disappear as we no longer smell the decay of a nation that is eliminating The Father in all aspects of society to satisfy a politically progressive global influence.
Amen.
I think Skip and the author of this article make excellent points. I do not think the author had any racist intent in her article but just pointed out how it is in many parts of the world. I do not recall her saying that the Senegalese were lesser people. I am sure she would say that they are not lesser people. That being said, Judeo/Christian culture (Western Culture) has single-handedly elevated the human condition in virtually every single aspect of human life everywhere in the world it is the cultural norm. Leave America out of the equation for just a minute and look at Israel. It is the only westernized culture in that region of the world. Prosperous, innovative, compassionate and humane. Her neighbors are still in the dark ages and want to bring the world back to their cultural paradigm. Not all cultures are created equal. Some are better. They just are. Feeling that way doesn’t make one a racist. Calling someone a racist has become the universal go-to label to shut someone up with whom you disagree. When one is losing a debate, one can always go to the nuclear option by playing the “racist card”. Yes, America has sinned and profoundly so, and it should be that we work tirelessly to right those wrongs but let”s not forget we are not alone nor are we the worst. God gave the Hebrews his cultural model and told them to share it with the world. In doing so the world could be a much better place maybe even the perfect place but much of the world said no thanks. We have our own culture, thank you very much. and you see how that has worked out.
I read this article a couple of days ago and thought it brought up excellent observations. In my reading, the article wasn’t about shit. The article was about the differences between western European culture influenced by Judeo-Christian values and Senegal. If I go to a foreign country, I adapt to their standards, and I live by their laws. When I go to Israel, I don’t eat dairy with meat; I don’t expect Israeli stores to be open on Saturday; I don’t wear Christian jewelry or other items that might cause offense. When you come to my country, I expect the same courtesy. Don’t act in ways that Americans find culturally offensive. The problem in the US is that some people think we shouldn’t expect foreigners–who want to live among us and reap the benefits of our culture–to adapt to our way of life. The author made no reflection on those who lawfully immigrate prepared to adapt to American culture. Her point was that it is not bigoted for Americans to have a simple expectation that people who want to live with us will join our community and live like us. It is not racism for Americans to understand that SOME cultures will never mesh with ours and it is not uncharitable to exercise our prerogative (as does virtually every other country in the world) to restrict the immigration of those people.
Regardless of our opinions about “Third World” nations and Western “civilization,” there is a big problem with this article today. Snopes points out that this is a chain email. While the attribution is correct, what we don’t know is if the author truly was a Peace Corps volunteer. If she was, and if she is the same person investigated, then she served in Senegal over 40 years ago! I wouldn’t call that an up-to-date assessment of the culture of the area. This begs the question: Why is she writing what she does, in light of the response to the President’s Africa comments? This may be not, as Skip said, a politically correct site, but it certainly is political. If Ms. McQuillan wrote this under false pretenses, or wrote it to promote an agenda, then our discussion is on a shaky foundation. The Messiah said His disciples should be wise as serpents.
Yeah, probably not the best thing to do, place Snopes as the most credible source of unbias fact checking. Just sayin…
Let me try again. Yes, she is the author who was in the Peace Corp and has written a lot of novels about Africa. The piece she wrote MIGHT have had some political agenda (I don’t know), but what she describes is real. And it has nothing to do with RACE. From my observations, this happens all over the world. India comes to mind, along with many SE Asia countries, and other African nations. And the Middle East. The point is that the situation is CULTURAL, and it comes from a deeper view of the value of human being and of the environment. And that is a direct result of the difference between Judeo/Christian, that is, BIBLICAL, worldview and other worldview. Go to India. It is the most polluted place I have ever seen. Anywhere. Why? I believe it is because of the religious view of India. That view isn’t Islam, but it has created the same disregard for anything in the material world. So, McQuillan might be writing about Senegal years ago, but the problem continues around the world. Anyone who has travelled extensively in the third world knows this. MY POINT is not about RACE or LOCATION. It is about the LACK OF BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW and what it creates. And, of course, we are seeing that same loss of the biblical worldview here, in “bubble” America. But if we continue to think that the world is going to get better because we are going to educate it, or feed it, or police it, we are being foolish. Without an underlying view of Man that comes from YHVH, the world will not get better–and it never has in all of human history. So, put aside the racial reaction and think about the consequences of paradigm. Think about the value of life in these places. Think about how people treat the earth. And then ask WHY.
Yes and Amen
I too have spent time in India and had the exact same observation. I saw the way crippled children were abuse and shamed. It broke my heart and I remember thinking, “Why do Indians treat those less fortunate than themselves so cruelly?” I remember thinking mercy and compassion for those less fortunate was a universal human attribute. It’s not. It is a result of the Judeo-Christian world view, given to the world from our Papa who is RICH in MERCY. Is it possible that because so many in India believe in Karma that those who are crippled deserve their diminished capacity? Because they were evil in a past life as evidenced by their malady, that they deserve riddicule? In the 90’s is when I realized for myself what a blessing it is to grow up in a culture that is obviously not prefect but IS so influenced by the God of Abraham.
I agree with Mark Randall regarding Snopes. They are certainly NOT a source to be viewed as unbiased and true without serious further verification. Like Mark . . . just sayin . . .
Thanks to you, Michael C. and Mark Randall, for your observations about Snopes. What is concerning to me is that another option for fact-checking was not offered. Skip had a good point to make with Today’s Word today, but the American Thinker site did not help him out with that, whatever the intentions of Ms. McQuillan.
Have any of you read the comments on this website and article it’s horrifying to say the least.
I’m not sure what you meant here. Can you clarify? Did you mean the comments are horrifying or the content of the article? Or something else?
Sorry not the comments on this website there are comments posted after this article on the American thinker website at the end of this article. Over 1200 hundred to be exact. They are vile I’m not saying that’s your intent.but you are you are so explicit in telling people “where’s your source”did you not vet this source?
Indeed the website and the comments that people are writing about the article and veering off on to racial issues are horrific! So, even if the article isn’t about race, why the headline, “…Trump Is Right”? People see the headline, it’s about people of color and Trump! He is a racist! Was there not a better way to convey the point? I still contend we Americans are hypocrites! Judeo-Christian principles allowed, indeed even justified slavery!
Inetta, for all those people who gave you a thumbs down,they need to rethink how this must of hurt you deeply.
What exactly do you mean by the word ‘racist?’ Isn’t there only one race, that is, human? We are all of the human race. Are you talking about ethnicity?
Do any of you live in a third world country, where you are confronted on a daily basis with a culture vastly different to your own? I am a psychologist in South Africa and have to deal with the differences in what is ‘normal’ every day. Even the definition of what it means to live a Christian life is different in some black cultures. Just the other day I saw a couple who calls themselves Christian, for marriage counselling. The husband still offers animal sacrifices to his ancestors, because as head of the extended family, they require it from him at a funeral. His wife refuses to be a part of the sacrifices and now he wants to divorce her because she doesn’t submit to him as head of the family. This is part of the reality of ‘normal’ in cultures that the article tries to address.
I have seen the same thing in South Africa, AND in other parts of the world. Culture trumps the Bible all the time, even when people say they believe what the Bible says. You have experienced the stark reality in South Africa, but we could say the same thing about American Christians who continue to reject the idea of Torah because their culture comes from Catholicism and the Reformation.
This is why social media is so dangerous, its very hard to express yourself thought digital media. This was one of the many reasons I got off of Facebook. I was was constantly being misunderstood from a simple click of a like or dislike and even a no responds. The same is happening now our comments are being liked and dislike as we type. I’m also an African American and I read the headline just like Inetta, Its how we have been conditioned to think. Skip I do see what you are saying, speaking about hygiene, I’m sure it would have been a whole lot easier if you were giving this same topic in a room that we all were sitting in.
Yes, probably. At least you recognized that my intention wasn’t political or racist. Just about how much culture influences the way we live, and how important biblical culture really is.
I’ve been reading and listening to your comments concerning scripture for a while, so I didn’t read you that way. But the website americanthinker.com I didn’t stay on very long.
Frankly, I didn’t see any ‘racism’ in either the linked article or Skip’s observation. Honest discussion is greatly hindered when we misunderstand the words we communicate with. Rather than effectively communicating we turn words in to weapons that sling ideas and insinuations recklessly, which, I thought the whole of Skip’s blog is about. When we cheapen the meaning of words, attach meanings loosely with no common agreement, then communication is lost, weakened and weaponized. Destruction ensues. If I’ve learned anything from Skip and Bob, it is that maybe we should form statements as to ask the right questions rather than dogmatic swords that cut and divide. “Could this be considered ‘racist’?” as opposed to “That IS racist!” would seem to create a more cordial atmosphere for productive communication. It opens cordial and welcoming doors rather than hurls a divisive environment that tends more to create tension and anger.
What say you?
More to the point of this blog subject, while not an extensive world traveler by any means (Europe, UK, China, Mexico) I have personally witnessed large areas in Mexico that are completely covered in discarded trash. Roads, yards, parking lots covered in trash for miles and miles and miles, not just in limited localities. In China, it is accepted to cloth very young children in ‘diapers’ with open areas on their butts so as to allow them to stop anywhere and anytime to squat down and do their business. And the parents simply leave it there! Sidewalks, roads, parks, community areas, pretty much anywhere. Also, I personally witnessed out my bus window adults (males and females) squatting or standing on the side of the road, mere feet away and fully exposed, doing their business. There was a response by all of normalcy and acceptable. I was weary to step anywhere after that wondering what I was stepping in. Am I racist for pointing out those simple observations of actions by citizens of other countries? I think not.
The Train, no you are not being racist by pointing out what skip pointed out. I will use the Train story to explain my thoughts about why Me and Inetta can be so cautious concerning http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2018/01/what_i_learned_in_peace_corps_in_africa_trump_is_right.html article.
I have a friend that has a train track that is behind his house, the train comes every day at different times. He was raised around this track. When I began to visit him we would be sitting and talking and when the train came we would have to talk over the noise. Well at first I would just talk over it. But the more I visited him during our fellowship I found myself having to raise my voice while the train sound came. So I asked him does that train come everyday? He said yes, why do you ask. I said you don’t hear the train. His response was I do now. When you around something for so long you no longer hear the sound. This applies to me as well, being raised around thoughts and ideas all my life when I see or hear something that sounds like what has been preached and taught it bothers me.
Michael C and Keith W your wisdom is appreciated and refreshing here. Thanks for your careful thought out responses. I will not respond to the article because everything that could be said about the article you have already said. Thanks
Martin Luther said some good things. And some terrible things. So, do I throw everything out because he was anti-Semitic, or do I keep everything because is was a Reformation father? Or do I pick and choose?
If you think McQuillan is racist, then tell me if what she describes in Senegal was true. If it’s true, does it matter what you call her? If it’s not true, then it isn’t racist either, is it? It’s a lie.
But I have seen this sort of degradation of humanity and the earth with my own eyes – all over the world in cultures without a biblical background. Does that make it racist? Or is it, as I said, a matter of paradigm?
If you want to read everything through a racist filter, then, of course, you will see everything that way. Just as you will see everything about Luther in one way or another. Take off the filters and look at the reality.
I agree. The reality of actually doing this, i.e. taking off the filters, etc., is very difficult most of the time, at least for me. It is very hard work. Much energy and tenacity required. One almost needs to learn the habits of an Olympic athlete to succeed. That’s what keeps me coming back to this blog. I am in need of reading and hearing the thinking skills that are demonstrated here. Plus, Skip is a great guy. Not brown nosing, just stating the truth! Carry on!
As you have said so many times, Skip, our paradigm trumps reality. I would say that every day, as I study, read and then apply its is a constant shifting of paradigms that I have held since I was old enough to learn the paradigms themselves.
As a white native born South African- who knows what racism REALLY looks like I cringe when that label is so easily applied. Kind of insulting to the millions who suffered under racism and died. There is no racism in American culture – there may be a few racists scattered here and there.
Very blessed to be here and by the way when I arrived on these shores I was met by amazingly compassionate and loving people BOTH black, hispanic and white.
Not one person in my 30 plus years here ever brought anything that even remotely smelled like that up to me. We are blessed to still live in this wonderful country where we can still enjoy the “outworkings” of a Judeo Christian worldview and it is well worth contending for.
Maddie, I respectfully disagree with you! You are definitely ill-informed and in no way you as a White person can say there is no racism in America and there may be a few scattered here and there! I don’t apply the term racist easily! I have lived in several areas of this country and have experienced it more than a few times by more than a few people in my 57 years and so have my relatives and tens of thousands of other African Americans! You haven’t walked in my shoes! Please don’t insult me and other African Americans! The problem with most people who aren’t African American is that they sometimes don’t see racism because they haven’t lived it! Does it have to look the KKK with white hoods and sheets, or have the names of David Duke or the former Governor of Alabama, George Wallace before you acknowledge that it’s racism? Does it have to look like a billionaire who takes out a full page ad saying bring back the death penalty when teenage African Americans and a Latino are railroaded into a guilty plea for allegedly raping a white woman and later DNA and the actual rapist admitting to the horrendous crime is found guilty yet the billionaire never relents and still insists the teenagers were guilty? Pick any of the current White Supremists marching on college campuses and towns shouting hateful, bigoted words! I know the code words, innuendoes and outright racist remarks. So let me try this again…as I stated in an earlier post, was there not a better way to convey the culture of Senegal? Surely I didn’t have to click on a link that took me to an OBVIOUSLY racist, propaganda website that had the headline saying…Trump is right!
My wife and I would like to thank Inetta and Keith W. for showing the rest of us what racism means to them. Just because we don’t see racism in certain comments doesn’t mean it’s the same for others, especially African-Americans. We have to see things through others’ eyes. And you both have opened ours! “Bear one another’s burdens.” That is part of the biblical worldview, right?
Never walked in your shoes, never denied that MANY suffers racism – very sorry if bad people sees color and you have been hurt by them- there are bad people everywhere. Just saying that America does not have a racist culture. I lived in one, it does not look like America. Trust me. It is not something I ever want to see again and yes as a white South African it was a very very traumatic experience. I do not see color and any human suffering affect me deeply. Maybe our paths look different but hurt is hurt. Talk to those gentiles who saved, hid and smuggled Jews and You will discover haunting pain.
Do you actually know the history of America? Do some serious, unbiased historical and current research and then tell me America still does not have a racist culture! Just because South Africa has suffered from apartheid doesn’t negate the fact that America has a racist culture. Both systems have a very racist history, let’s not even debate which currently is or was worse. Systematic and overt racism is an ongoing problem in this country that can not be remedied until we acknowledge that racism did and still exists in our American culture. If you continue to insist that American culture isn’t racist, and by the way, there are many cultures that make up the American culture, you are part of the problem!
No Inetta, I feel very sorry for your experience in this country where EVERY individual has the RIGHT to go as far as their talents allow. When my people lost 6 million, they picked themselves up and built a country flowing with milk and honey. We remember what happened but we live for the future. The WORLD stands against us (we do have many friends, thanks Donald Trump).But we have an entire organization, The UN, who’s sole mission seems to be destroy Israel. You obviously have experienced hurt, and perhaps this community could commit to pray for you. We need to love one another so the world will know us and Him, Remember heaven is Shamayim, (plual infinite) and the world is Eretz (singular finite). Nothing on the earth will satisfy or bring completion. We need to focus on Shamayim, the heavens. That is where we will all find Shalom, Peace.
I certainly agree that there’s racism in America, just like there is in practically every country, if not all. And always has been. Racism isn’t always about skin color or nationality either. It can be against social classes (which is raceless) age groups, etc, etc. Let’s be honest here, some of the first slaves in this country were actually Scottish or Irish. Had nothing to do with skin color, it was about “class” or nationality. And they were treated brutally. I’m not trying to downplay the plight of colored people but, I’m just saying, they don’t have exclusive rights to being mistreated as a people group. Heck, lets not even go into the native problems…
That said though, no, I don’t think racism bars or stops someone from attaining anything they want. That much is clear in this country especially. If someone chooses to be overcome by racism, as with any other adversity, then they do. There are literally millions of wealthy powerful people of every race, color and gender in America. President Trump (yeah, I’ll go there too)has shown to not be a racist, or misogynist, regardless of what some might wanna promote. I mean seriously, some of the first people he placed in positions of power were of color, women or minorities. A racist or misogynist wouldn’t do that. The only reason I bring that up is that it’s being made out to be an issue since it was in the caption and link.
Skip’s point, as I think he has so clearly made known, had not one single thing to do with racism.
Mark, you are also ill-informed regarding race issues in this country. Most of your statements seem to be based on opinion, not facts! First of all, racism is strictly about race! Elitism, classism and discrimination may be the terms you’re referring to. Not sure what historical documents you’re reading, but the Scottish and Irish were not some of the first slaves in America! And we are not colored!!! I know that term has been used in the past to distinguish African Americans but it’s not accurate! We have Italian Americans, Scottish Americans, and other European and Asian countries that make up our American culture, are they a color?? So we also have African Americans as well. And I didn’t say African Americans have exclusive rights to being mistreated, however, we have the right to speak to the absolute fact that we were enslaved and still discriminated against because of our skin color! And yes, don’t go there with Native Americans! Their history was horrific and they still are discriminated against! However, they were not enslaved! Can African Americans obtain a better living, absolutely, my family has but don’t think it came as easy as your free flowing words make it sound! Racism continues to bar people from obtaining a good education, better jobs, wages, housing and numerous other things! Our country still has a lot of work to do to get beyond discriminating against anyone, especially because of skin color which makes it easier because of the visibility to a person’s skin. And there aren’t literally millions of wealthy, powerful African Americans! Ok, so let’s go there regarding Trump! Do you really believe that because he placed a few minorities and women in positions that that doesn’t make him a racist or a misogynist, seriously? Where have you been the last 24 months? And yes it’s an issue because he was part of the caption! That wasn’t necessary! Skip’s point may not have had anything to do with racism, yet still, was there not a better way to convey the point besides taking us to that website? He has quoted many authors without linking them to a website.
Fair enough. Yes, your correct, I stand corrected, racism is about race. But, it’s not limited to skin color. Guess what I meant and should have said when referring to “social classes age groups, etc, etc” is “discrimination”.
Sorry sister, I’m not “ill-informed regarding race issues in this country”. I come from the “other side of the tracks”.
Anyway, Inetta, I’ve always had respect and love for you and that isn’t going to change. I believe what I’ve said and stand by it. Not just on “opinions” either but in real living experiences.
May you and your home be blessed.
And yours as well!
Please define ‘racism’ for all of us, Inetta. Apparently, from your comments most all you’ve responded to are confused about the subject. Enlighten us as to what you mean by ‘racism’ as you understand it. Thx.
Inetta…my heart hurts for you. You been a victim of racism that many of us cannot relate to. In my life, I never saw racism as a military dependent until my father was posted from Europe to Columbus, Georgia in 1965. It was eye opening to say the least. I saw the line that was clearly drawn between colors and classes of people. I had seen a different form of racism in Germany and wept at Dachau at the cruelty and inhumanity of anti-Semitism. Both racism and anti-Semitism cannot be fully understood unless you walk in the shoes of the victims. I have a sister in The Lord who was born and raised South Africa. She knows all too well what racism is. She relates horror stories that are terrifying. That she is white is beside the point. Don’t get me started on the plight the Jews. That hits home. Let me just say that as Believers in The Lord and Torah observent, we need to love one another because there will come a time when we will all be oppressed because of our beliefs. Race, color, creed….
it will cross all the boundaries. So, I ask for your forgiveness for any pain my post may have caused and send my love and prayers for a healed heart.
Thank you but none of the post have caused me pain, just disappointment and confirmation that our country still has a very long way to go regarding race. It’s somewhat more disappointing when it’s within a believing community. And Michael C., I shouldn’t have to define racism beyond what what I’ve already said, nor should I have to educate educated people on the subject. Just try reading credible information with clear eyes and open hearts. Read credible history books on the subject. Look at the credible news reports on what’s going on within policing, education, jobs, housing and politics. And yes, Cynthia, I agree, a time is coming, who knows when, but it is coming, when believers will be oppressed for our beliefs, especially those of us trying to follow Torah. So to all who disagree, please know that I don’t have any animosity towards you. I’ve only tried to convey how African Americans feel, even in a believing community. It hasn’t just happened here, we’ve experienced it in Sunday churches over and over and that’s one of the reasons we left. So, I’m moving on beyond this conversation. Thanks to Skip for providing this forum to share! Blessings to all.
Inetta, I read each of your posts. I saw no real clarity on what you understand ‘racism’ to be. I only read declarations of all the other comments that you identified as ‘racist.’ I’m not trying to be difficult about this, just trying to understand the subject as you’ve shared it. Your responses, as I’ve read them, simply make a declaration with no real communication and clarification. You have assumed people should just KNOW what is meant by the thoughts in your mind. Unreasonable expectations of others knowing what one means simply because they should seems, to me, a huge reason we have misunderstandings. Frankly, I tire of having people throw out ‘racism’ against someone as if they are the final authority on the subject. ‘Racism’ has become the go to word when someone simply disagrees with them. Unacceptable!
I certainly have concern with issues of inequities and seek to fix them and come to a mutual understanding to have real love shared between us all. After all, isn’t that the point of it ALL? That said, Inetta, I want to understand the issues you’ve brought up, however, I simply cannot assume what you mean and expect to know what you mean. I’ve heard your concern. What I haven’t heard is an explanation from you, with words I can understand, what, actually are trying to explain. In your posts all you’ve said is that people are ill informed, don’t understand and need to go study up. Well, I am somewhat familiar with many of those that have responded to you. They are generally pretty well informed, otherwise, they wouldn’t be on a blog of this nature. So far, how you’ve used the idea of ‘racism’ has simply promoted it as permission to hurl criticism of ANYTHING that is in disagreement. “He cut in line in front of me! What a RACIST!” “They (non black person) call me (black person) rude! They MUST be RACIST!” Everything becomes RACIST! I am weary of the premise of this abundantly misused notion.
Well, as you can see, I’ve rambled too much probably. My apologies. But, Inetta, your rebuffs on this subject are vacuous to me until you can help me understand what you actually mean as ‘racist.’ Until then, a solution is simply avoided, kicked down the road and exacerbated.
So, again, I ask . . . What do mean mean, specifically, by ‘racism?’
How to understand racism; Well, from my perspective I’m a little younger than Inetta so what I experienced will be a little different. When I came along I saw the signs white and black that separated the public water fountains, white and black signs that separated the public bathrooms. I could drink from them or use the public bathrooms. The law had changed but the signs were still up. The white only restaurants the signs were taken down. You could eat there and it was rare for anything to happen. Schools had not long been integrated. Interracial relationships were still forbidden but still some got married.
I still remember the Klan marches; most of the time our family would take all us kids off to keep us away.
Moving forward years later once I left home went to college and now work in the field of electronics, my 1st coworker was a white Christian who began to witness to me. I was raised in a Christian home but I didn’t begin to seek till I got older. This is when I was introduced to the curse of ham idea, using scripture he was informing me on why we were not to mix races. He was a very nice man, treated me with respect, He just made me aware of what lines I should not cross. This is why when I see a rebel flag sign on one’s car or hanging at their house, I don’t know how to take that person. Do they have the view of the one that witnessed to me, or is it just they are representing there heritage? Things are more hidden now, there are many more examples I’m just sharing some of my experiences. So racism is not as straight forward at times, you have to read between the lines at times. Hope I’m helping and not making the water muddy.
Thank you, Keith, for your attempt at clarification. Certainly, this is a difficult topic. Emotional. Mind numbing at times. Would I be correct that your understanding of ‘racism’ has become a feeling of unwelcome, to what ever extent? This feeling would seem to be a warning to anyone individually to strike a defensive posture. If that is part of the explanation, then I, too, have experienced that is many different environments. Self preservation is a primal motivator no matter where we go.
When I went to both Mexico and China I sensed and felt those defensive forces. To be clear, not from everyone in those respective countries. At times, it seemed generational. That is, the younger people reacted differently than the older people at times. They younger people tended to welcome us Americans with courtesy, politeness, and wonder. In contrast, the older generation, in general ways, gave us looks of caution, distance and even scorn sometimes. When we were, as a group, walking past a little segregated housing area there were children in packs that came out and threw things at us from a distance. They accompanied there aggression with shouts of something in Mandarin. I didn’t understand the words but I recognized they weren’t welcoming.
I have been told that caucasian people feel the same unwelcoming tones when they visit Hawaii. At least a few decades ago. I was told there was a tension of not wanting the outlanders there but they reluctantly put up with these white Americans because they helped the economy with tourist money. I’ve been to ‘black’ churches that actually didn’t welcome me (us) while also I’ve attended ‘black’ churches that welcomed me as if I was their natural born son! I have walked up to groups of black guys talking who suddenly stopped talking when I entered their space, looking at me as if to say, “Who the hell are you to come up in here, whitey?” At other times, I have approached people of differing ethnicities that sought my welfare with welcome and hospitality.
All that being said, I wish we could simply ditch this ‘racism’ term that has, in many ways, become useless as a tool in communicating and just focus on the people issue of it all. Aren’t we all humans? Aren’t we all from the same source, different from the animals? I mean, if a human from one ethnicity does something really, really stupid and idiotic, can’t we just call that for what it is when the one pointing it out is of a different ethnicity? People are sometimes stupid and idiotic in ALL ethnicities. Can’t we focus on that issue and try to fix it? If I, being caucasian, white, whatever, call someone that is negro, mongoloid, or whatever stupid or ignorant, and they really are, does that mean I am racist unless it’s calling another caucasian, white human stupid of ignorant. Stupid is as stupid is as the great philosopher Forest Gump demonstrated.
I have largely been raised in the Southeast for the most part. I am an Army brat. So, I suppose I have come to learn a more tolerant approach to people regardless the color of their skin or origin of birth. To me, people are people. Some of us are ignorant (deliberately or indirectly), some of are truly stupid and idiotic and a bunch of other derogatory words. They truly are. But the challenge, to me, is to find a way to enhance those ‘others’ as best I know how. It seems to me our collective goal and challenge as humans is to be human, especially with other humans.
How do I do that? I am of the conclusion that we all need some instructions as to the ‘how to.’ That is where Torah comes in. We must begin there. Then we take a life time attempting to translate this ageless document to present day meaningfulness. I am quite sure we don’t need to hurl swords at one another, rather, we are to chesed in our lives collectively. We were made speaking and remembering entities. Also, hearing ones. As we look ‘forward’ to our past we focus on the future behind us, with the central mission of figuring out how to love (chesed) each other in any and all circumstances while we have breath.
Shalom
Michael C., I’ve experienced what Keith shared below as I am 57 and both my parents were from southern states. Visiting relatives in the 60’s I still vividly remember the White only signs at water fountains and restaurants. My relatives there would share their experiences of sitting at the back of the bus, being called disrespectful names at the newly integrated schools. My parents moved North where I was raised and I experienced lack of adequate books in predominantly black schools. My parents were redlined into a certain neighborhood and not even given the opportunity by banks and mortgage companies to get a mortgage that they could afford to move into all White neighborhoods where the schools were better equipped. Given interest rates higher than what was advertised. They sacrificed and worked very hard jobs to put me and my two sisters through Catholic high school because our neighborhood high school was terrible. And yet at the all girl Catholic High school, we dealt with racial epithets on classroom boards such as “Nigger go back to Africa”. In college I had professors tell me that my view of Native Americans and African Americans being discriminated against was wrong and that I was too sensitive, when the discussion was based on the very facts that our text books were saying what I shared from my own experience! My husband, just 3 years older than me experienced worst. Being stopped just because he and his college buddies “looked suspicious”, made to stand on the side of the road, car searched and let go because ultimately they had done nothing wrong. He’s been followed home and spotlighted by police with the comment from them they wanted to make sure he lived where he pulled in the driveway. Stopped just because he was driving a sports car, no tickets issued, clean driving record and told by the police officer…”you don’t even have a record, not even a speeding ticket?”. Our son went to a private high school and played basketball. He has been called boy, thug, son of darkness and other rude things not by his classmates or teachers but by rival teams. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt and is a successful businessman and yet still gets stopped if he is going to his home late at night, for what? No tickets, none given except the comment, “we are just checking.”, checking what? He shares these incidents with his White friends when they’re talking about race issues when yet another African American male or female is shot dead over a traffic issue. By their own admission, they don’t experience what he does. He’s on a non-profit board that helps urban schools and he sees the differences in books, technology offered, extra-curricula activities and some teachers’ attitude toward the predominantly African American students. I’ve been on school field trips with my now adult children and recently my granddaughter in which the same tour guide from 20 years ago still glorifies Andrew Jackson and Sam Davis, telling fourth grade children that because Sam Davis was hung for not divulging the other spies that he was a hero and that Andrew Jackson was a good man because he and his wife adopted an orphan Native American boy, yet what about The Trail of Tears he forced on them, defying a Federal order not to? Innuendoes spoken to me by a White man about being bribed with fried chicken and greens to let him keep his library books he purchased from our book sale in a certain spot. Being in the grocery store and a produce worker telling me surely I need more than two bananas and then smiling, why would he say that? I won’t even go into the church issues as this is lengthy enough. With all of that said, yes, my family has pushed through racism and we have been blessed to do well. I’m very grateful to YHVH for everything! And yes, I still see racism as a cultural problem and know that it will probably always exist and I will continue to speak out when I see it even if others don’t see it or understand. As my previous post stated, I intended to move on from this conversation but I felt obliged to answer your respectful request. I hope it helps you to understand what I’ve been writing about. Blessings!
Thank you, very much, Inetta. It helps to have some ‘flesh’ on the subject. I find that we often are in a conversation saying ‘blue’ not knowing our listeners are hearing ‘red!’ It’s a constant challenge to communicate respectfully, adequately and with any real value.
I can never be someone else or truly and totally understand what they have experienced. I can only talk and make an effort to understand. While we might share similarities and common issues we each have our own existence, alone, if you will, in this world. I, too, have seen many of the instances you’ve described, both in friends lives as well as some in my own life. I believe I understand your view enough to empathize and discuss fairly intelligently.
If I might offer an observation, I would say this. Somehow we have come to think we can demand certain things. I’m not totally sure how we have come to this, but I have clues. There has developed an idea that we can demand and vote on people’s actions. We can pass laws, ordinances, etc. to lay out societal behavior, but that guarantees nothing. The individual is the one that must act. We have built an environment that provides for ill-informed and ignorant people to thrive with theaters of media driven ideologies. It multiplies to things unnatural to a healthy societal habitation. People with evil intentions choose to carry those cravings out on good people that simply want to live peacefully that day. What to do?
Frankly, after visiting Israel and seeing first hand how they handle a national challenge everyday to protect their citizens physically as well as economically, culturally and biblically, I realize I have much I can learn about how to treat people. Particularly, those that want to clearly harm them actually and directly. I stand in awe as to their restraint. My inclinations wants to bomb and shoot the hell out of adversaries. There ultimately comes a time for that, and regrettably, I often want to start with that particular solution. I am amazed at seeing some terrorist walk up to Jews in their own land and stabbing or shooting them in their own local streets just because they are Jewish and they think all Jews must die! Horrendous!
I applaud and admire your choices in pushing through the repulsive actions you described pointed toward you personally. I dare say you are a more mature, sound, whole person for persevering through it all. My father was shot down behind enemy lines during WWII. He survived nine months, lived and escaped the enemy to come home to marry my mom and have me and my sister. I often wonder how different a person my dad would have been had he not experienced that awful hell on earth. Would he have been the strong wonderful dad to me and my sister had he finished his mission in his B-17, arrived safely home and been none the wiser to the hellish experience of living alone in a foreign and strange country? Those nine months in the womb of evading capture changed him, formed him and molded him to be the wonderful person I came to know as my father. Fortunately, a Czech family showered grace on him and took him in under their protective arms, and, by the way, at the same time bringing life threatening danger to their own family (father, wife and children.) Amazing chesed demonstrated!
Why is this a country, now 70-80 years later, inundated with actions of ‘racism?’ It doesn’t make sense until you isolate the problem, not as racism, but as humans choosing not to act as humans treating other humans humanly. Actually, wouldn’t you say this has been the problem from the beginning with YHVH and adam and his generations that followed? That, of course, includes us.
I look to you, Inetta, if I may, as one who has/is weathered/weathering the storm of racism and survived to show us and any one who might not have experienced these things, HOW to do it right, biblically, honorably. Teach us, Inetta. Show us how to walk in the image of YHVH in battle against destructive behavior that has been shown as racism. All my Jewish friends have been. They have been talking about it and showing how to do it. (Disclaimer: I realize not all Jews have this mindset. They have their misguided as we all do, I think.)
Will you? Examples of how you have dealt with this in your life goes a long way to help in understanding. We all need good examples of how to properly respond. As well, I might ad, as the lessons learned when failing in attempts to do so. Often hearing of how people respond to their failures teaches me more than anything. So, please, feel free to do so if you are so inclined.
Shalom
While I appreciate your willingness to learn how me, my family and friends have dealt with racism, I don’t think this forum is suited for that. I will say that because you are ask and are willing, I believe YHVH will give you more opportunities to show chesed and continue to be blessed! Shalom!
My last comment on this subject. I’m always a bit surprised how a point about one thing turns into lengthy discussion about something else. The point I was making was about the impact of culture on understanding the Bible – how cultures are so different due to religious factors, for example, and how we assume that they should be like ours. What happened was a long discussion of racism. But this also serves a purpose. Here’s what I mean.
Much of this discussion of racism has been based on the idea that if you didn’t live in it, you can’t understand it. If you weren’t in my shoes and didn’t experience my abuse, then you really don’t understand what it means. But think about applying precisely this idea to the BIBLICAL texts. Did you stand in the shoes of those who heard Yeshua speak, or Daniel, or Isaiah? Did you experience the political oppression of Rome, the religious zeal of the times, the factions, etc. NO, you didn’t. But you think that you can read the text and understand what it means anyway? Why do you think that? What is so different about the racism argument that can’t be applied to the same concern about the biblical texts? Why do you think you are immune to one and a victim of the other?
Do you think you really know what the Bible says, you, a Western, modern, typically well-off, living in a democracy, with freedom? Maybe you need to apply the same complaints about the racism argument to your exegesis?
Yes?
“The point I was making was about the impact of culture on understanding the Bible.”
That’s the very issue, this is why it’s so hard to get to the point to trying to see through the ancient Hebrew eyes. I do believe like us within this group we must look at scripture from this perspective. But when I share with my fellowship which is very traditional; things that I’m learning from You, Jeff Benner, Karl Coke and many others who has given me inspiration. It sounds neat to them, but that’s not what brought many of them through those days that I know nothing of, the 50 and 60’s in America. Many of the traditions that I now see that wasn’t what scripture was really saying are what brought many of them through. And I do understand my elders struggles, I’m now struggling to understand, just like this past lesson on The Lucifer Myth. You begin to 2nd guess yourself, what is true? So I guess Racism and looking at scripture through ancient eyes do share something.
Sorry. My bad. I’ll zip it back up.
I, for one, try to never doubt the experience of another. If any black person feels that they are the victims of racism then my first reaction, as a fellow human being, should not be to deny their experience, but to acknowledge it and examine it fairly. I need to make sure that I am not part of the problem and, as a believer, examine how I can help alleviate the problem, at the very least to offer hope, comfort and friendship to the one feeling the sting of racism. Having grown up in the turbulent 60’s when the issue of race had finally come to a head I saw on TV the frustrations of millions of blacks who were tired of being second class citizens in a land promising and promoting equality, fairness and justice. Just because the riots stopped and there were some bread crumbs distributed by wily politicians does not mean that the problem was solved. It wasn’t by any measure or standard. It has only gone underground to fester and infect new generations. An overwhelming 87% of black Americans say black people face “a lot” of discrimination in the United States according to a poll from the Public Religion Research Institute. If you think America is not racist and does not discriminate read the “The Color of Wealth in Boston,” a 2015 report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Duke University, and the New School. It found the household median net worth was $247,500 for whites; $8 for US blacks, $12,000 for Caribbean blacks; $3,020 for Puerto Ricans; and $0 for Dominicans (net worth here determined by subtracting debts from assets). Now please tell me again, with a straight face, that there is no racism in America. Explain how it is possible for black men to have 6 times the rate of incarceration than whites if there is no racism in the background. Give an account for the nearly double unemployment rates for blacks if racism has been conquered. Spell out why in 2014 nationally in mostly white schools they spent $733 more per student than mostly nonwhite schools if racism has been vanquished by Brown versus The Board of Education.
No, Virginia there isn’t a Santa Claus and racism hasn’t been eliminated in America, in fact, it has barely begun to be addressed. If you refuse to open your eyes to see the problem, then perhaps you are, in some measure, part of the problem. If, too, you want to fufill the commandment on loving your neighbor it might be good idea to go to the “neighborhood” where the people are most crying out to Yah for justice on a daily basis. He hears the cries from the ‘hood’. Do we? For now, for us, let us forget Senegal and look at Harlem, Detroit, New Orleans, Miami, our cities, towns, neighborhoods… and our hearts.
“Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Deut. 27:19
IF there is a people who can legitimately be called (legal) aliens in America the ancestors of the African slaves are they. Perhaps it is time we see their plight, hear their cries and act in accordance to the principles of chesed.
I appreciate what you shared, Michael Stanley. What if we eliminated, if it is even possible, the term and idea of racism, racist, etc.? What if we simply addressed the actual problems themselves with chesed, as you pointed out. If someone, anyone, commits a clearly defined crime, regardless of ‘race,’ ethnicity, cultural upbringing, in this country, can we agree it needs to be handled with the appropriate action? I mean, otherwise, we allow for a lawless society. How do we do that? Do we only allow like ethnicities to administer the law to each other? Do we instruct our children in ways of chesed with the goal of growing humans that will obey societal laws and well as YHVH’s laws as they agree with YHVH’s instructions?
I mentioned earlier that I mainly grew up in the Southeast. I’m driving my truck in it every weekday, every week, every month. I rarely see the ‘racism’ that I hear about via the media. I do, however, see instances of stupidity, ignorance and insensitivity in various circumstances. However, I deal with them in ways that tend to minimize conflict and maximize cordiality. I interact with people of a vast variety of ethnicities. The vast majority relate cordially and respectfully. The interactions I witness are flavored with whatever ethnic influences the people come with. I see these occurrences at the work place, at restaurants, on the street, in stores, in restrooms, at events, etc. And, I don’t think I live in a bubble of some kind shielded from this ‘racist’ issue we are discussing.
I find many different lifestyles in my activities throughout the day in my work, private and usual goings of life. I treat each one as the need dictates. I respond with respect and hospitality as much as I can for each different situation. I occasionally come across stupid and ignorant people. I treat them accordingly, evaluating from my collection of wisdom, and respond accordingly. While at work and in my private life, I don’t have time for indifferent stupid people. I most always assess the situation as related to the safety of myself and those around me, and then walk away from the stupid environments. I choose to distance myself from those instances. If I need to intervene for safety reasons, which, by the way, have been very, very, very few times, I make a judgement to act as properly, fairly and truthfully as I can.
My question is simply if we can eliminate this arena of contention by getting rid of an ill used word, title, label and distinction and treat the whole topic as what it really is. The mere mention of ‘racism’ creates a battlefield. How about talking about how humans learning how to treat other humans humanly.
I get this barrier forming attitude every time someone wants to know what I believe. Oh, YOU’RE a BAPTIST! Bam! I’m put in a B-box with all the crap that may or may not entail. Are you a Christian? Ans: Oh, well, no wonder . . . ! Boom! In the C-box. I’m saying the environment created by the whole ‘racist’ ethos, is inherently destructive. All a Jew has to do is wear tzitzit and they are instantly castigated by certain stupid and ignorant individuals. But, isn’t that the point of being different? YHVH recognized that Abram crossed over (the meaning of the word hebrew essentially) to a different paradigm or worldview DIFFERENT than the idolatrous one he was surrounded by. YHVH called them to be different, set apart. How? By their actions, their lifestyles. He left.
If there is any application to this subject, I choose to come out of the box or racism. I want to look at people as people. We as a society can make all the judicial laws we want, but you can’t MAKE people do things willingly that they don’t want to do. Individuals must decide on their own to be human instead of ‘racist.’ I am not advocating not thinking about the issue hoping it will go away. I am advocating eliminating boxes that are non-functioning as towards a solution. It isn’t racism. It’s people not following instructions of their makers on how to treat other people. It’s stupidity, ignorance or out right rebellion to YHVH. That, in my estimation, is the actual problem. The R-word has been overly misapplied such that it means something that no one seems to agree on, thus useless, and at the least destructive to all parties involved. That would be all of us.
Shalom
Today I ate lunch with my mom at Pizza Hut. In the booth next to us, I saw three young Mexican (Hispanic or Latino) men pray before eating their lunch. They bowed their heads and said a prayer. I was quite moved. And embarrassed because I wasn’t even thinking about thanking God for my food. I don’t know how to fix the immigration problem. But I choose not to denigrate people of other cultures. I found some of her comments like a million chain immigration to be untrue and misleading. The money that was spent to send troops to the border at Christmas and now money to build a wall seems to be money that could be spent truly solving the problem by better utilizing resources. I no longer believe in a two party system. One history professor in a lecture stated it was never supposed to be a two party system.
I wanted to add that yesterday I saw a white woman in WalMart knock over some candy and not bother to pick it up. It bothered me. I had some thoughts about her. Were they true? I don’t know. I think generalization can be dangerous.