Are white supremacists bad people?

[OneSheep]

They are people with a bad mentality that have caused (and continue to cause) great suffering, pain, and damage by their actions.

So it’s the victims of those actions I have empathy for, not the racist supremacists.

I think it is part of our human nature that when we feel resentment (which a person of healthy conscience will feel towards racists), our empathy is inadvertently blocked. We don’t will it, it simply happens. That is why when Christ calls us to love our enemies, He calls us to the supernatural.

That doesn’t mean I have never thought about how they became that way, and considered that some may not be entirely responsible if they had been environmentally conditioned to think and behave that way, but I doubt they will change by gestures of sympathy.

You are expressing an understanding of how they came to take on their views, and Understanding is a gift of the Spirit. I agree that a gesture of sympathy is likely to make an immediate change, but Christian Picciolini, for example, talks about how change came about for him because he encountered so many people of color in various situations who treated him with respect and mercy. He learned to see their humanity. If we come at these people always with tooth and claw, this will not effect the same sort of change.

And hopefully, in view of recent events, continued media and public outrage, condemnation from religious leaders, politicians, and others in positions of authority will have a desired effect

It may help a little, for those not so set in their ways.

Thanks for your response!

 

[OneSheep]

Personally, I see very little difference between a white supremacist and a Catholic. Both have irrational beliefs based upon perceived truths. Both are steadfastly certain that those perceived truths are actual truths, and that it’s everyone else’s truths, which if not irrational, are at least misguided. Both merely act upon those perceived truths in whatever fashion those truths may dictate. Both consider themselves to be acting in a morally justifiable manner. And being a member of one group doesn’t, in and of itself, preclude one from being a member of the other.

For each group the actions of a few may color the perceptions of the whole, be it violent protesters or pedophiliac priests. But for each group the underlying premise is that my beliefs are superior to your beliefs.

The two groups are in essence the same. I could easily be proven wrong however, if you’re willing to accept that your beliefs aren’t superior to theirs.

It could be proven to you that your Truth is wrong as long as I say my truth is not The Truth? Okay, this is officially a standoff. It can be proven to me that my Truth is wrong as long as you say that your Truth is not superior. Wait a minute…

Of course, my own beliefs are the best beliefs for me, until someone proves that I am holding an untruth that is harmful. What I believe today is superior, probably, to what I believed yesterday, because I keep learning…

 

[hu324b]

I think the question the thread title asks is an oxymoron. It suggests that maybe some white supremacists are good people when we know this idea is responsible for the deaths of millions of innocent souls and the hatred it breeds - why would anyone want to defend this position?

 

[OneSheep]

That would be me (in fact, it would be all of us to some extent, but I’ll do as an example).

When and where I grew up, there was no-one that didn’t belong to my background. Celtic in my case (I was born in Wales), but think white Anglo Saxon and that would cover the ethnicity. No African or Asian people whatsoever. Hell, I didn’t even know anyone who was English.

And there was overt racism everywhere. My parents, my peers, my teachers, the media. Everyone used what we now class as derogatory terms for anyone who wasn’t ‘like us’. The excuses that were used were just that. ‘They’ll take our jobs, they are dirty, they breed like rabbits…’. All of it born from an inbuilt mistrust of anyone who doesn’t belong in your group and sheer ignorance.

So I used the terms that I can’t even type out now. I cracked all the jokes that would shame me now. I had all the attitudes that would classify me as a dyed-in-the-wool, bona fide racist. Then I left home and went to the Big City. London in this case. And hey, there were all these different people in the office, on the bus, in the shops, in the pub. And I was the outsider. I was the one who talked funny and was ‘different’.

But there’s ignorance and there is wilful ignorance. Once I realised that the guy I was working next to and the girl on the tube and the boys in the pub talking football were all the same, then racist attitudes disappeared. It’s hard to think of someone in negative terms when he’s shouting you a beer.

The wilful ignorance comes into it when you ignore the evidence of your own eyes. You ignore the fact that we are all the same. You prefer to listen to your baser instincts. And then you might want to associate with people who think the same way as you do. And wear white sheets and burn crosses and wave a flag with swastika on it.

I can excuse ignorance. In fact, I have to. You can’t blame someone for having an attitude that’s based on it. But once they have the knowledge, once they make a conscious decision to ignore the evidence, then there is no excuse.

Thanks, Bradski

My own racism was a bit different. I can relate to all the jokes and the like, but I was a minority race. You are describing a mode of change similar to Christian Picciolini, who I keep referring to. Neither you or I appear to have had a “fighting injustice” aspect to our racism.

When I say “there is no excuse”, I am expressing what I think should occur or should have occurred. It is counterfactual thinking, as the Buddhists say. It doesn’t solve anything, it only adds to my suffering and alienation from reality. I am saying “that person is to be condemned for his position”. What I am observing is that the explanation (not excuse) for people more entrenched in racist positions is the sense that injustice has occurred, caused by the out-group, and the in-group is the victim. It doesn’t sound like neither of us had been a victim of the outgroup, quite the opposite, thankfully!

It is my understanding that pre-Nazi Germany saw the growth in wealth and power of some Jewish people. They were gaining inroads into banking and other businesses, businesses dominated previously by the native population. The Jewish people (don’t get me wrong, most were quite poor) did this in spite of having fewer rights in terms of ownership of property and other restrictions. Those native people who could not compete and had business failures felt violated; they wanted justice. And of course, like Catholics and others, most Jews embraced their culture, so there were culture clashes to add to fuel the flames of growing racism.

In many areas of the U.S., immigrants are willing to work for less, out-competing the established population. This is seen as an injustice to those hurt economically.

 

[OneSheep]

No, my underlying premise is this…judge men by what they do, not by what they believe.

A little FYI: Contrary to the behavior of most Christians, the Jesus calls us not to judge one another. However, I think that Jesus was astute enough to realize that our judging, a gut-level reaction stemming from the conscience, is much faster than our frontal lobes can “catch”. If you are like me, you judge without even realizing it has occurred in your mind.

For that reason, Jesus spends a lot more breath asking us to forgive one another, which is a practice it would be nice to inspire in those who embrace racism. Christians can pray that those caught up in racial injustice can forgive their persecutors.

And, while at it, of course, pray for a Truthful justice…

 

[OneSheep]

I think the question the thread title asks is an oxymoron. It suggests that maybe some white supremacists are good people when we know this idea is responsible for the deaths of millions of innocent souls and the hatred it breeds - why would anyone want to defend this position?

Well, for starters, those people who embraced white supremacy and killed many also thought that there were bad people, people of negative value in the world, so they disposed of them.

We’re talking about the way we see one another, the value we place on all people, regardless of any condition, belief, or behavior whatsoever. Christians can begin with the position that God created all Good, and that He loves us unconditionally. We can practice Jesus’ words to “do unto others as we would have others do unto us”, which also means thinking about how we want others to see us. It is a rare person who really thinks of himself as “bad” in a way that his own value is less than that of others (exceptions are people transitioning, the mentally ill, the depressed/feeling guilt etc.). Those people who hold onto beliefs that they think are truth but are condemned for their position generally want to be understood, like all of us do.

“Do unto others” means understanding, forgiving, being merciful, avoiding condemnation of others. When I say “he is a bad person”, it is understood as a condemnation of his value, even if I had not intended to communicate lesser value.

So, please receive the above as a defense of position, without seeing it as a defense of white supremacy. I am not advocating pacifism, either.

Thanks for your response!

 

[inocente]

Well, you are saying they are immoral/wicked, which indicates you are saying something about their existence, that there is some negative value to them as individuals. However, because we use the word “are” in many ways, you are probably saying that they are people (God’s beautiful creatures) just like you and me, but their behaviors and ideologies are hurtful and untrue. Is that accurate?

They are evil. Period.

I think that this would be an accurate paraphrase. The key part is “claims to be a brother or sister”. He is appealing to Christians to motivate those who want to be part of the community to change their ways. He would definitely have a different thing to say concerning those that do not want to be part of the Christian community. Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners.

No. There are a lot of Christian white supremacists. Most Americans are Christians, and most American white supremacists are Christians. They always have been since the days of the slave trade. They claim to be your brother or sister. Have nothing to do with them. Follow Paul’s instruction!

*Well, Paul has a right to his opinion. I still think that it is fruitful to engage those of hurtful ideologies in ways that is respectful, but attempting to help them see the light.

I’m not sure you could find such a person. There is a story behind each individual coming to embrace racism, a sense of injustice, a crime, a trespass (“those black people moved into our neighborhood and ‘ruined’ it”). There are real cultural clashes, where someone ends up getting offended for what seems to everyone else to be nothing. And then, of course, there are politicians who pass laws that help the oppressed and marginalized, and the help comes in the form of taxes that all people, including the racists, have to pay. Again, this is seen as an offense. God knows I have had to forgive the government for many things my own dollars help support… Offended just because of skin color? I really don’t think so, there is a lot of baggage behind such a stance. They think those of different ethnicity are bad or worthless because of this or that, just as many people find racists bad because of this or that. *

Respect has to be earned. Don’t give them any respect until they earn some. If they feel offended then good, offend them some more. Treat them how they treat their victims. Show them what it’s like. Offend them to hell and back and then offend them some more.

*Well, such a person would be more deranged or had been subject to some kind of brain-washing. And if that was the case, if he was not angry or bent on what he sees as justice, he would be relatively harmless, and simple encounter with those of a different race would easily change his mind. The ones who stubbornly promote racism have some kind of hurt in their past, they want justice, and they feel resentment.

It would be nice for a racist person (or ex-racist) to confirm or deny what I am saying here.

And think about it, inocente, wouldn’t it be interesting to have such a person “associating” with us on this thread? Some really interesting stories would come of it. *

Yikes. They won’t associate with blacks and Jews, they’ll only associate with “their own kind” and you’re talking about getting anecdotes of the time they raped that black girl? The time they beat up that black kid?

Yikes. Seriously, if they haven’t yet murdered, raped and tortured, they want to. They damage lives. Have nothing to do with them. Follow Paul’s instruction.

*I’m not sure how victims asking for forgiveness is part of the issue here. We are called to forgive people whether they ask for forgiveness or not. After all, it is very easy to forgive a repentant person. Jesus forgave the unrepentant, He set the bar a bit higher. What would be fruitful is for victims to forgive their oppressors, just as Christ promoted forgiveness rather than revenge concerning the occupiers.

I think it is helpful to keep in mind that those who are fervently racist feel that they are victims* of injustice. This was the Nazi mindset. This is also the stance of those who are anti-immigrant today.

Their ancestors enslaved millions of people, and they want it all to return.

Maybe as Christians we should stop trying to justify why they became white supremacists and worrying about forgiving them. Because all the time we spend doing that, in thinking about them and ourselves, is time we don’t spend helping the victims. And if we don’t give the victims priority, if we don’t help the oppressed, how are we any different from the oppressors?

 

[OneSheep]

Good Morning, inocente

They are evil. Period.

Ahh, my mistake, then. You are saying they are of negative value, just as white supremacists think of non-whites as having negative value. Yours is a normal, reaction of a well-formed conscience. By condemning racists, you are almost certain not to do the kinds of things they do. The tricky part is that the worst aspects of racism involve condemnation, thinking evil of, other people, which is exactly how our conscience reacts to them also.

No. There are a lot of Christian white supremacists. Most Americans are Christians, and most American white supremacists are Christians. They always have been since the days of the slave trade. They claim to be your brother or sister. Have nothing to do with them. Follow Paul’s instruction!

I see, you are equating the small community St. Paul was addressing, people who gathered together, with the large, disconnected “church” of various christian denominations and subgroups. This would especially make sense in terms of following the reaction of the conscience to the people we are talking about. The conscience says “These people are bad! Fear them! Hate them! Stay away or fight them!”

Jesus calls us to love our enemies, and forgiveness is an act of love. How do you reconcile these two approaches?

Respect has to be earned. Don’t give them any respect until they earn some. If they feel offended then good, offend them some more. Treat them how they treat their victims. Show them what it’s like. Offend them to hell and back and then offend them some more.

Yikes. They won’t associate with blacks and Jews, they’ll only associate with “their own kind” and you’re talking about getting anecdotes of the time they raped that black girl? The time they beat up that black kid?

Yikes. Seriously, if they haven’t yet murdered, raped and tortured, they want to. They damage lives. Have nothing to do with them. Follow Paul’s instruction.

Again, this is expressing a very normal reaction. Jesus says this in response, calling, inviting, us to something higher:

Matthew 5

Love of Enemies.[aa] 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors[ab] do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?[ac] 48 So be perfect,[ad] just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The conscience is good and natural. Do you see how Christ calls us to the supernatural? Perfection is a merciful perfection.

Their ancestors enslaved millions of people, and they want it all to return.

Maybe as Christians we should stop trying to justify why they became white supremacists and worrying about forgiving them. Because all the time we spend doing that, in thinking about them and ourselves, is time we don’t spend helping the victims. And if we don’t give the victims priority, if we don’t help the oppressed, how are we any different from the oppressors?

I agree about justifying white supremacists, I am talking about how we can approach them and understand their positions, about forgiveness, not about justifying. I also strongly agree with giving priority to the victims. I think you can see, though, that there is a bit of a moral difference between a person actively persecuting and one who stands by. (Note: I am not advocating standing by and doing nothing).

I am glad that you are helping the oppressed, inocente, and I thank you for advocating for them. Keep in mind, though, that we can be slaves to our own anger and resentment, people are oppressed by these. So, after we treat the injuries and hear the hurts, empathize with the pain, and stand up for their rights, we can give them the time to overcome the horror and be ready to help them to forgive when it is time to do so. There is a time for anger and resentment, and there is a time to forgive. These things cannot be hurried.

You are speaking from the position of a good conscience, inocente. I have nothing to argue against your views. Jesus’ words are invitation, not, in my reading, commands. Yes, we are to love others as we love ourselves, and that is a general command, but this is going to be seen differently depending on where we are in our journeys. Yes, we are called to forgive all those we hold something against, but often it takes years to realize who I am holding something against, or it may take me years to admit I am holding something against someone.

I am not designating right and wrong approaches; yours is to be respected.

 

[inocente]

Good Morning, inocente

Ahh, my mistake, then. You are saying they are of negative value, just as white supremacists think of non-whites as having negative value. Yours is a normal, reaction of a well-formed conscience. By condemning racists, you are almost certain not to do the kinds of things they do. The tricky part is that the worst aspects of racism involve condemnation, thinking evil of, other people, which is exactly how our conscience reacts to them also.

I see, you are equating the small community St. Paul was addressing, people who gathered together, with the large, disconnected “church” of various christian denominations and subgroups. This would especially make sense in terms of following the reaction of the conscience to the people we are talking about. The conscience says “These people are bad! Fear them! Hate them! Stay away or fight them!”

Jesus calls us to love our enemies, and forgiveness is an act of love. How do you reconcile these two approaches?

Again, this is expressing a very normal reaction. Jesus says this in response, calling, inviting, us to something higher:

Matthew 5

Love of Enemies.[aa] 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors[ab] do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?[ac] 48 So be perfect,[ad] just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The conscience is good and natural. Do you see how Christ calls us to the supernatural? Perfection is a merciful perfection.

I agree about justifying white supremacists, I am talking about how we can approach them and understand their positions, about forgiveness, not about justifying. I also strongly agree with giving priority to the victims. I think you can see, though, that there is a bit of a moral difference between a person actively persecuting and one who stands by. (Note: I am not advocating standing by and doing nothing).

I am glad that you are helping the oppressed, inocente, and I thank you for advocating for them. Keep in mind, though, that we can be slaves to our own anger and resentment, people are oppressed by these. So, after we treat the injuries and hear the hurts, empathize with the pain, and stand up for their rights, we can give them the time to overcome the horror and be ready to help them to forgive when it is time to do so. There is a time for anger and resentment, and there is a time to forgive. These things cannot be hurried.

You are speaking from the position of a good conscience, inocente. I have nothing to argue against your views. Jesus’ words are invitation, not, in my reading, commands. Yes, we are to love others as we love ourselves, and that is a general command, but this is going to be seen differently depending on where we are in our journeys. Yes, we are called to forgive all those we hold something against, but often it takes years to realize who I am holding something against, or it may take me years to admit I am holding something against someone.

I am not designating right and wrong approaches; yours is to be respected.

OK. You probably didn’t intend this, but my strong impression from your posts is that justice is an exercise in logic for you and you have difficulty comprehending the irrationality of oppressors and in empathising with their victims. So I feel drawn to ask, is that impression correct?

 

[Aloysium]

They are evil. Period. . . There are a lot of Christian white supremacists. Most Americans are Christians, and most American white supremacists are Christians. They always have been since the days of the slave trade. They claim to be your brother or sister. Have nothing to do with them. Follow Paul’s instruction! . . . Offend them to hell and back and then offend them some more. . . Maybe as Christians we should stop trying to justify why they became white supremacists and worrying about forgiving them. Because all the time we spend doing that, in thinking about them and ourselves, is time we don’t spend helping the victims. And if we don’t give the victims priority, if we don’t help the oppressed, how are we any different from the oppressors?

Not to confront racism and white supremacy is to enable it. And, to do so makes one no different from the oppressor except In perhaps feeling self-righteous, an all round good guys, feeling the love for everybody but doing nothing to stop evil.

 

[OneSheep]

OK. You probably didn’t intend this, but my strong impression from your posts is that justice is an exercise in logic for you and you have difficulty comprehending the irrationality of oppressors and in empathising with their victims. So I feel drawn to ask, is that impression correct?

Certainly not, but since justice is the motivational driver of many oppressors, it is worth taking a look at the CCC to where their efforts fall short:

1807 Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the “virtue of religion.” Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good. The just man, often mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures, is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbor. "You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.

So, where the justice effort by people with a supremacist ideology falls short is that

1. “each” includes all humans.
   2… “harmony” is not created by punishing one another and
2. “common good” means the common good of all (see #1) regardless of race, creed, ideology, etc.

And I absolutely love this article, and it is very appropriate to this thread:

catholicnewsagency.com/news/do-mercy-and-justice-contradict-each-other-pope-francis-says-no-75638/

“God’s justice is his mercy,” Francis observed, praying that as God’s children, we would be open “to his divine mercy, and readily and generously share it with our brothers and sisters.”

and I love this quote from the Holy Father from the same article:

“it is only in responding with good that evil can be truly defeated,”

 

[OneSheep]

OK. You probably didn’t intend this, but my strong impression from your posts is that justice is an exercise in logic for you and you have difficulty comprehending the irrationality of oppressors and in empathising with their victims. So I feel drawn to ask, is that impression correct?

I hope you can see with me, then, that justice begins with mercy, and since mercy is a matter of the heart, the Catholic approach involves much more than an application of logic, even though “habitual right thinking” is part of the whole picture (see the CCC reference in my post above).

Practically speaking, priority is to be given to victims of oppression, not the persecutors, when doing acts of mercy. This is not to say, though, that we are to neglect altogether those who persecute, there must be some engagement that leads to real change, and with this I agree with Aloysium:

Not to confront racism and white supremacy is to enable it. And, to do so makes one no different from the oppressor except In perhaps feeling self-righteous, an all round good guys, feeling the love for everybody but doing nothing to stop evil.

Though I do think that the apathetic or those who are unmotivated to confront oppressors are also behaving contrary to the Gospel, I think we can all agree that actively persecuting others is far worse than standing by when such persecuting is happening. However, it may motivate the standers-by for one to state something like “you are no different than the oppressor”, in hopes that they will be spurned into action. On the other hand, such a statement may be received as judgmental, and given that we reap what we sow, the person who makes such a statement may get a portion of judgement from the listener in return.

A statement that perhaps leaves out the possibility of communicating judgment is “If you aren’t part of the solution, you are part of the problem”. This statement, communicated to me by many a priest and I have passed on to many, appeals to the individuals own desire to do good without telling him that he is to be condemned for doing nothing. The statement has been a huge motivator in all my efforts toward social justice.

“If you aren’t part of the solution, you are part of the problem.” It is an invitation.

 

[OneSheep]

Wow, this article I found is so appropriate to this thread that I can not refrain from posting more of it!

catholicnewsagency.com/news/do-mercy-and-justice-contradict-each-other-pope-francis-says-no-75638/

“it is only in responding with good that evil can be truly defeated,” the Pope said, explaining that what we find in the bible is path that teaches, allowing the offended person to approach the guilty party and invite them to conversion.

By helping the guilty person to see the evil they have done and by appealing to their conscience, they are then able “to see their wrong and be open to the forgiveness offered,” Francis said, noting that this is also how families forgive each other, spouses and children included.

Pope Francis noted that of course “this is not an easy path,” since it requires that we be willing to forgive and to always desire the salvation of those who offend us.

However, it is only in doing this that “justice can triumph,” he said, because, “if the guilty person recognizes the wrong done and ceases to do it, then there is no more wrongdoing, and the person who was unjust becomes just, because they have been forgiven and helped to find again the path of good.”

This is where forgiveness and mercy come into play, he said, explaining that this is the true meaning of God’s justice.

“(God) does not seek our condemnation, but our salvation,” the Pope continued, noting that this goes for everyone. The problem, then, doesn’t consist of lack of mercy, but rather of “who really wants to allow God to enter their heart.”

The Holy Father contrasts “retributive justice” with “true justice”.

God does not seek our condemnation, so labeling a person of supremacist ideology (or anyone, for that matter) “bad” or “evil” is not only contrary to our knowing that God created good, but communicates that God condemns/devalues them personally and/or communally.

I am not saying that a simple avoidance of the labels is entirely fruitful. In my own life, it is more fruitful to pay attention to the labels I am using and address the emotional underpinnings. If I am thinking (as I sometimes do) “that person is bad/worthless/a jerk (etc.)” then I can realize the fact that I am feeling resentful towards someone, and understanding/forgiveness is appropriate when I am ready to do so.

 

[ANV]

Misguided most probably, they start becoming bad when they act upon their thoughts, when they start discriminating, doing violence and spreading hatred.

 

[OneSheep]

Misguided most probably, they start becoming bad when they act upon their thoughts, when they start discriminating, doing violence and spreading hatred.

Ordinarily speaking, we say “this apple is bad” when it is disposable, of little or no value. We may say it with a bit of disgust.

When we say “supremacists start becoming bad” are we saying that they too are becoming disposable, or of little or no value? Of lesser value?

 

[ANV]

Ordinarily speaking, we say “this apple is bad” when it is disposable, of little or no value. We may say it with a bit of disgust.

When we say “supremacists start becoming bad” are we saying that they too are becoming disposable, or of little or no value? Of lesser value?

Humans are not apples, humans have feelings, apples don’t. So you don’t throw a person away like an apple, you help them change, but still you would fight the injustices they do for the sake of victims.

 

[Peter_J]

youtube.com/watch?v=I1VvZjploCI

 

[IWantGod]

youtube.com/watch?v=I1VvZjploCI

There is no defending it.

 

[OneSheep]

Humans are not apples, humans have feelings, apples don’t. So you don’t throw a person away like an apple, you help them change, but still you would fight the injustices they do for the sake of victims.

Well, I like your stand against injustice. Did you hear this story?

The point of the matter is that when we use the labels “bad” “evil” etc., we are communicating a lesser value. Yes, even those of white supremacist ideology have feelings, unlike apples, but their lives can be seen as worthless just as they see others worthless. Yes, it is very human to want to do to white supremacists (think of them as evil) what they do to others (as they think non-whites are of negative value), but that approach ends up being another eye-for-an-eye scenario. It really is an automatic reaction going on. Real change, change of hearts and minds, doesn’t happen

Al Letson took the approach that makes real change happen.

Some quotes from the man, who very much impressed me:

And you know, in retrospect, it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t see my humanity, what matters to me is that I see his. What he thinks about me and all of that, like — my humanity is not dependent upon that.

And, of course, I found this especially heartwarming:

You know, I mean this sounds really high-minded and maybe a little nutty, but I am a huge NPR nerd, and many years ago I was listening to Terry Gross and Fr. Greg Boyle was on there, and he gave this quote that has just stuck with me ever since. He said, “I want to live like the truth is true, and go where love has not been found.” And it’s how I want to govern myself in the world.

This is the sort of approach to people that does not see a comparatively lower value in anyone. The truth is, we’re all people, all of infinite value.

 

[OneSheep]

youtube.com/watch?v=I1VvZjploCI

It is encouraging to see reporters and news anchors expressing opinions from their consciences! I don’t think it will actually change the minds of those who hold supremacist ideologies, but hopefully young viewers will respect the reporters’ words and not develop racist ideas.

This is of very great importance, this issue. The president actually made some insightful statements, such as implying that we all share responsibility in this issue, and that there are “good people on both sides”, but coming from him they are not trusted as wise or just, and rightly so, for other statements by him negated anything that sounded insightful.