Black and White and the Clingy Coils of Slavery
In a recent interview with author and publisher Richard Jeanty, he spoke passionately about the lasting effects of slavery.
"We still have not psychologically recovered from what happened during slavery," he said. "The past is not that far from the future."
I personally agree. But I also agree with many others, Bill Cosby comes to mind, who strongly advocate for moving on from such talk as much as possible and working toward a position of strength, growth and advancement. Essentially this point of view acknowledges, yes, slavery is a fact. Poor education systems, hard-to-shake psychological trauma, significant economic disparities, these are all facts, but there are opportunities to be had; don't let anything stand in your way. You may recall the popular Civil Rights Movement phrase of choice, by any means necessary.
But Jeanty said in the business landscape white people should be aware that the repercussions of slavery exist, and sympathize.
What do you think?
"We still have not psychologically recovered from what happened during slavery," he said. "The past is not that far from the future."
I personally agree. But I also agree with many others, Bill Cosby comes to mind, who strongly advocate for moving on from such talk as much as possible and working toward a position of strength, growth and advancement. Essentially this point of view acknowledges, yes, slavery is a fact. Poor education systems, hard-to-shake psychological trauma, significant economic disparities, these are all facts, but there are opportunities to be had; don't let anything stand in your way. You may recall the popular Civil Rights Movement phrase of choice, by any means necessary.
But Jeanty said in the business landscape white people should be aware that the repercussions of slavery exist, and sympathize.
What do you think?
Views: 48
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Liz Burke on -
I do not believe that you want non-black individuals sympathizing with you and patting on your sholder and saying --- you poor thing. I believe that you would like people who have not lived your family's experience to empathize with you. Then try to learn with you what it will take to align our ations toward success of all.
Sympathy only puts you, at best, an arms length from the person you wish to connect with and does not ask them to try to value your experience. Empathy engages both parties in a dialog and a shared experience upon which to build.
-
Permalink Reply by addie johnson on -
As is life, the truth is somewhere in the middle....we are the sum total of our experiences regardless of color. The experiences usually come from our culture; if within your culture the historical perspective happens to be slavery then that becomes your experience. With that said, we should note the experience but not be bound by it. In the case of slavery, it may produce apprehension associated with fully trusting intent - it becomes historical memory vs. actual as you have been taught; however, by embracing new experiences of opportunity you can not be bound by the experiences
Flickr
About
© 2012 Created by Certmag Admin.
