Blog #3 - Multiculturalism

Why can't we all just get along? That's the innocent question of naivety that immediately popped into my head. Why does it have to be an issue? I guess some may say that it's only because I am white that I think this way...that I don't understand struggle or know what it is like to be a minority. Perhaps there is some truth to this, but I completely disagree.

I know very little about my family heritage. I know that my great-grandfather on my father's father's side was born in Germany. My maiden name, Smith, was originally Schmidt. Other than that...I don't know anything else. I know that on my mother's side of the family, they were the "poor white folk" who lived in the country. I would imagine that someone, somewhere in my family tree had a slave (or slaves), but I don't know how far back you would have to go to find out who that was. Poor white people could not afford slaves.

Yes, our history books are very swayed. I have thought that for years. I didn't know that the Civil War was NOT really about slavery until I was in college! That's pretty sad. I also think it is important to note that poor whites were often times treated worse that black slaves. However, this is rarely discussed.

These articles were extremely interesting to me...a little unsettling to be honest. When I see people of a different "race" I notice our differences externally, but I mostly notice and pay attention to our similarities underneath our skin.

As a Christian this caused me to even reflect on stories from the Bible. There has always been a sort of prejudice. It is my belief that God created different languages at the Tower of Babylon because the people were focused on themselves and not Him. There were different cities and groups of people who did not "get along."

It is ridiculous to think that there can be perfect harmony. I believe it important to hope for such a dream, but evil exists in the world and Satan has people who play on his team. God acknowledges and allows his power in the world. Remember Job? Wow!

I enjoy so much the freedom I have been granted from men like Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin. Men who children don't even know about, as stated in one of the articles. I am able to share my point of view and relate it to my faith with no fear of persecution. I am not being forceful with my opinions, simply stating them. It is SO important that our children have an appreciation for how this came to be.

As I was reading the articles I thought, "Why can't we teach children the foundations of our country AND then teach them about other viewpoints and/or cultural perspectives?" Why is there only one way? I have an appreciation for the forefathers of this wonderful land of the free, yet I also enjoy learning about other influential "non-white" people who contributed important things to our nation.

I can see the desire to deeply study your heritage as far as the country of origin of your parents and/or ancestors. However, somewhere down the line someone in your family found it rewarding and valuable to become a citizen of the United States. With that choice, they brought a desire to become an American, for all that entails. This "land of opportunity" came with a price. Isn't it important to have knowledge of how it came into existence?

As I've written a few times already, I LOVED the John Adams documentary film! I had NO IDEA that he was remotely important in the freedom from Great Britain and establishment of the 13 colonies and America. In my opinion, he was a greater contributor than the men who I "thought" were the most important. His wife's support was crucial to his successes, yet women were not permitted with as many rights as they are today. The film did an excellent job of displaying her importance. They were the first people to move into the White House and Mrs. Adam's character is shown as disapproving of the fact that black slaves were made to construct it. Everyone was not in favor of the way "non-whites" were treated, nor are they today!

My conclusion is that it is impossible to please everyone. I am in no way a "white supremacist," but as one of the articles discussed, when whites are the minority of the country, what role will we play? This may not effect me, but I plan on having children and hopefully grandchildren and it will effect them. The color of skin doesn't really matter to me, but there are still a lot of people that it does matter to. What will this country look like, act like, value, support, protest, allow, etc. when my grandchildren become adults? That's a little scary to think about for me...I hope that the author of the Brigade focused article is wrong.