Taught to Hate African Americans

Black Children Chooses White Doll Video

The video above really touched my heart.   They showed this video at church.  Wow.

An Episcopalian / Methodist Black Woman Minister spoke.   Between her words she sung black spirituals used by the slaves.   They were so beautiful.   

There were songs about loosing their families because moms, dads and kids were all separated due to slave trades.     There were songs of strength and faith as well.    They were all so powerful.

What was done to the black race was of course intolerable.   But we can't deny it or sweep it under a rug.

So that video that was taken around 2004.  Only 40 years earlier in 1964 a law was passed banning segregation which was implemented soon after the ban of slavery in 1864..    African Americans had over 100 years of slavery, in turned followed a 100 years of segregation.    Those children's grandparents must have lived during segregation times.

I can't figure how to express this feeling, except maybe this.  When a girl finally meets the man of her dreams however when you marry,  you find out that he beats you.  And because of your rotten childhood,  you might think secretly that you deserve it. The girl just stays while everyone watches cause if she wanted out she would get out,   and it is not "that" bad.    And for sure the outsiders think it is better then her past.   And if that woman did get out - there would be tons of info on how to "get over" and "move on" from her situation.   

Teaching and embracing what happen will not give power to the negativity of the situation but will allow our spirit be free for both whites and blacks.

When I taught the poorer school in Dallas there was a huge discrimination between the African Americans and the Hispanics.   The Hispanics at this school would not even hold hands with the African Americans.  These were 5th Graders.  It was crazy because they to me were all the same.   All going to school in a place that would not be deemed fit for pets in Southlake.   But they found strength to hate each other, because their strength lies in hate for themselves.  

At one school in Hurst, a more affluent school I can remember this Caucasian girl saying as we said our "Good Mornings" that she was scared that Borack Obama got elected the night before.    Wow - a 5th grader had an opinion about our new black president.  I asked her on what issue was she scared.   She said because he was black.  I said so what, who told you this was bad.   She replied her church.  There was one black boy standing next to her.      I asked her if she believes everything people tell her?     I sat the class down and we discussed how important for us to do our research and not be sheep.   People come from all different shoes so their opinion might be justified but before repeating another's opinion it is best to find out for yourself.   

But before we can work on being or not being sheep, maybe we should work on self esteem.    Black Power came around in the 60s to insure equality between the blacks and the whites trying to force self esteem.  But self esteem is hard to accomplish when a good part of African American Moms try hard to make their daughters simulate white hair.  You cannot force self esteem through equality groups.   Self esteem comes from love.   The level of love depends on how much acceptance of one's self and by not continuing harboring judgment on one's past but letting go.  

How do you fix self esteem after years of slavery, separating families, not to mention the economic status of most African Americans.   I say embrace your past, embrace your now.   Sing the slave songs like the minister did in church. I believe singing and dancing is from the soul.   It will allow your spirit to rise above all negativity.  Self esteem can not be taught.  But from embracing, accepting things good and bad, we can from that choose love and from that make better decisions.    And the songs and dances of that time - were good and great.   They inspired greatness.  Tools needed to overcome.

Inspiration comes from action - doing.    Maybe we could teach songs like the old slave songs to our elementary children.    Tools that might help them understand the depth of the feelings of the past, good for all races, and also tools to get through their future. 

Joy filled life is not about how awesome you are or how great your stuff is, or awards but it is about embracing all of you,   including the dirty not so great part.   It made you who are you are today.    If you do not like you, then acknowledge, embrace, then change by the tools that will work for you.  Don't use my tools, they may not work cause we are different.   Our past is like a instruction book.  It is important to not cast judgement but to embrace and move on.   Make change by what we acknowledge.

I believe also that people without a "colorful" past are the most lost, seeming to be always searching.  But that is another blog.  In a nut shell, those with great fathers/past have the most difficult to break out of their shell of complacent lives not being able to make a decision maybe for fear of causing a ripple in a pretty perfect glass like existence.  As well it seems these people cast judgement easily because they see others as a threat to their perfect smooth glass.   When in fact , they are the ones trapped and not content.

Our strength is in our character , and beauty lies with your heart.   Hard for some to have courage to run with that.    So instead they go searching. 

I will never know what it was to be a slave , but actually neither do you.   We should embrace every truth about it, and sing those beautiful spirituals and give praise to the people like Harriet Tubman.  Yes if you are African American maybe your pool is not picture perfect.   However,  this fact does not make African Americans better or worse then anyone.   It makes your past colorful / different.  I believe it was the songs that kept the soul alive - and strong full of faith.   It will be the songs that will bring light..   Light that will inspire love.

So maybe we could work together and form a group where we go out and teach them to love.  Love themselves - it has to start early like around 4yrs - 7yrs.  A program that teaches love - love themselves.  Get them to sing again.   Old spirituals and all can learn some for their own.  And dancing too, not for competition but for the soul by expressing.  This group would focus on love.    After that - self esteem blossoms and from esteem they will see and know God.   Peace.

Maybe in schools, children can learn dances, and also learn in African spiritual songs and well as teach the children African dances, including English Baroque dances. All of it is so fun!   Laughing would have to be a part , what's not to laugh about the Americans turning the stuffy Baroque dances into Hoe Downs?    Right now the Hot Ballroom project is doing an amazing job teaching ballroom, but they do not teach one African originated dance.

Also too - I think it is as important to teach the children to compose their own short spiritual songs and to be able to teach their songs to others.    To teach is to learn your subject twice.   

Being a really white girl - I do not know if I would be a good candidate for this project.   However I would be willing to work at some level.    hum - just throwing it out there.....................

Love always.