Bigotry is often cyclical, with ebbs and flows as nations rise and fall. Depending upon one’s exposure, upbringing or stubbornness, prejudices are hard to break, especially if the world around you is rapidly changing. In the 20th century, Archie Bunker was a symbol of America’s bigotry. Despite the comical elements of this hit television series, the content was a sad reality of a segregated society unable to embrace the Great Melting pot of immigrants.
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets, Matthew 7:12.
Near the end of the 1970’s in several mid-Atlantic states, desegregation tried to changed this dilemma. As for me, I became the minority overnight, bused to inner city Wilmington for three years of Elementary school. In hindsight, the shoe was on the other foot, as I was exposed to the daily hatred African Americans faced in a country dominated by white people. Similar to the scene in Remember the Titans, Coach Boone played by Denzel Washington tells his assistant Coach Yoast, “welcome to my world,” following by a drive by shooting at his home that endangered his daughter.
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” Galatians 5:14.
Today, ambulance chasers, media sound byte paparazzi and those searching to smear a rising political star will occasionally use bigotry, intolerance and race baiting to accomplish their goal, to destroy their enemies. When you add the advent of modern technology, it doesn’t take long for an embarrassing moment, foolish act or slip of the tongue to go viral. Instead of following the Golden Rule, doing unto others as you want others to do unto you, some will do whatever it takes to get ahead. Therefore, rather than improving race relations the selfish are using this sensitive issue to divide souls. Although pockets of racism still exist, some aren’t improving this situation by bringing up old wounds of the past. Actions, time and truth will reveal who the bigots are now.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 