Is it racism?
When I have some time, I’d like to explore that topic at length here. But, in the meantime, there’s a great conversation going on over at Eugene Cho’s blog on this issue. Eugene has an excellent commentary on recent events involving Joe Wilson’s heckling of the president and, just yesterday, Jimmy Carter’s suggestion that Wilson’s outburst was rooted in racism. Please check it out.
Also, check out this inspiring story at Leadership Journal‘s Out of Ur blog about how the recession is actually forcing some churches to become multiethnic.
Reconciliation Blog 
I have lost count of how many times President Carter has spoken ill of other elected officials — including, I think, nearly every President who succeeded him, but especially Republicans.
Somehow I am not surprised that he now claims to discern the inner life of Rep. Joe Wilson, based on one angry moment.
This makes for excellent political gamesmanship but a shoddy imitation of Christian grace.
I used to like President Jimmy Carter but I think he is getting more and more out of line in the past few years. What is racist about what Joe Wilson said? This is mind boggling to me. Do we now have to always hide ourselves behind the racist epithet every time truth needs to be spoken. So it has come to the idea that when you disagree with the President you are Racist? This is not the America that we all believe in and President carter knows better. I do agree that Joe Wilson outburst was out of place but calling it Racist is completely out of line.
I think he should apologize to Joe Wilson.
Mr. Carter is a self loathing Southerner who feels guilty about slavery. He is a shallow man and an anti-semite. He needs a revelation about the true nature of God. His irresponsible comments will only fan the flames of racism and do harm to Pres. Obama.
Wow – I am shocked at the 100% rebuke of Jimmy Carter here.
I do believe that there is some validity to his statements. I would love to hear the whole interview. Jimmy Carter was on the faculty of a leadership summit at Willowcreek and is a gentle humble spirit.
I question anyone who quickly dismisses someone of his wisdom, age and frame of reference. Who better to have an insight into this topic than an older southern white male?
That said – I am not saying he is right but I am willing to listen and understand his point of view without judgement. I don’t want to get into arguments for hours but the facts are this:
We are a damaged nation.
We have baggage from the legacy of legalized discrimination against some of its citizens that only stopped legally 45 years ago.
We all live with the consequence of this every day.
We are blessed to have overcome outright legalized racism and have come very far in electing a black man as president.
That by no means, mean the journey is over. It is really just beginning.
We – especially as Christians should Act Justly, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly in all we do – including discussing the very volatile topic of race in america.
Seeking justice (meaning calling things as we see them and attempting to remedy the situation by putting it on the table for discussion and healing – resolution or reconciliation as our blog host calls it) is not to throw fans on the flames of anything. Our country has a legacy of silence on this issue – people are discussing it in private and continue to dig their heels into their position instead of being open to hear the truth about the injustice that happened and continues to happen in our nation. I am not saying focus on it – that will get us no where but to deny it exists or to dismiss it as a thing of the past is not being truthful or genuine in our quest to solve this problem.
Love Mercy has everything to do with the tone. We will never resolve this if people immediately resort to calling one another names and getting defensive. We can disagree but we must do it with an empathetic tone – like – “I can see how you feel that way” – Period – no buts and rebuttals rebuking one another in anger or self-centered righteousness.
Walk humbly – this means tread forward knowing that God is really the only solution to our ills. Period. We are not going to “fact” one another into believe as we do – but we can speak humbly and ask for understanding in the process.
That is my view. Thanks for listening.
Denise, thank you for your display of christian grace. I believe we can disagree with jimmy carter without resorting to personal attacks.
Though I am not prepared to say Wilsons outburst is racism, I am not willing to dismiss it either.
What I will say is that wilsons reponse seems to fit a pattern of disrespect towards obama’s presence and presidency. It existed during the campaign and it has not died. It is even more troubling because it fits the tactics of 21st century racism: demonize anyone who brings up race, personally attack people in the name of their cause, and think that racism is only individual, not systemic.
Nothing makes me more angry than hearing racism expressed. I live in Texas, and it is alive and well here, especially in East Texas.
I am a white man that rejoices that our country finally has a black president. And I respect my president. That being said, I whole heartedly disagree with most of his positions. I would if he were white just as well. It is irresponsible for one group to negatively label those who disagree with them. To call one a racist is a serious claim, regardless of what side it comes from.
John – thanks for your comment. I 100% agree with you – it is very serious when one makes a claim of racism.
I appreciate your perspective and acknowledgement of the horror that is racism and it continued presence in our country.
I have longed to see that on a blog and am thankful that someone besides me sees things as they are.
Great article in Out of Ur. Thank you for sharing. We should look for the good things that come out of hard times.
Ed, I appreciate your standing in the gap. I think there are troubling things about what the Democrats are doing, not just Obama. At the same time, I think there are elements of racism threaded through the conversation by some people, at times. It’s hard to sort out.
“Hello. My name is Duane, and I’m a racist.” Yes, we need a 12-Step group!
More pointedly, I’m a recovering racist. What makes a racist is not only the idea that one’s own race is superior to others, but the denial that one’s own prejudice exists. Racists tend to deny that they are racist to themselves and to others.
That is what makes the problem of racism so dicey: prejudice convinces the prejudist that there is no prejudice.
I grew up in the deep south (Charleston, SC), and have lived all over eastern America. When I began to work in jazz, I realized my prejudice against black Americans was wrong. They aren’t stupid or lazy; they aren’t slow or ungrateful. They are people, and I discovered that they were often more industrious, more intelligent and more grateful than me.
That revelation (I’m certain God had a hand in it), made me look much more closely at my relationships, and how I related to all other people.
Now, it seems obvious to me, and also to Jimmy Carter, that there is much more racism in the world than many of us are likely to admit, and that most of us actively deny that racism exists. It may be because of my battles with my own prejudice; it may be that I’m more realistic than most.
But, sadly, I agree with Carter.
My mother still lives in Charleston. She believes our President in not a citizen, and is a Muslim. She will simply not listen to reason.
I know why.
I will do all the loving I can to try to make things better. I will work with inter-faith dialog groups (we have a fine one here in Richmond, VA). I will strive to incude all in my relationships. And I will pray fervently for change.
But I will not deny racism exists; it’s too personal.
One other note: I think people are angered at being called “racists” because they fear it may be true. When people are so sensitive about something, guilt is often the underlying reason.