In her July 17 column in the Journal, the Rev. Leigh Waggoner wrote that publicly confessed racism can move souls to peace. I think she is right, and will confess that I am prejudiced. I grew up in northern Illinois where almost all my family and neighbors were blue-eyed blonds.
Then I was taught serious racism by my relatives. I think natural prejudice can lead to racism if unchecked. But prejudice and racism are difficult to overcome.
I did not realize the depth of my own prejudice against black people until I had been living a few years in central Sudan. Some kids ran yelling through our yard one morning, and I instinctively locked the door. Then I thought, ”Jobin, what is your problem? These are just kids.” If those had been white kids, I would have just laughed at their antics.
Prejudice and racism are strong in Cortez. I was working on a voter registration drive, and went to a football game to get people to register, for either party. But my pickup had an Obama sticker on it. Several white men shouted obscenities at me, in front of their small children. I was bewildered by their verbal violence. I understand their prejudice, but how did it get transformed into such fervent racism?
There have been attempts here to combat discrimination. A Human Relations Coalition was formed to improve treatment of all minority groups.
With financial assistance from the Cortez Police, a charter was developed and nonprofit status was obtained. However, because no one was willing to lead, the group died, about five years ago.
Is Rev. Waggoner right? Should we begin publicly confessing our racism? With the racial violence we are seeing in America, we need to do something. Any suggestions?
Bill Jobin
Cortez