What’s the Matter with White People?

Many of you probably have not yet heard Bill O’Rielly’s rant about why Trayvon Martin lost his life on that cold and rainy night in Sanford Florida.  O’Rielly believes that it had nothing to do with race but everything to do with wearing a hoodie.  To thse who know better, that reasoning sounds niave and childish but to those who are like minds of O’Rielly it sounds quite possible if not extremely true.  So what can we do to provide them with a much deeper understanding?  Some, including our president Barack Obama, say it’s time for a nationwide honest conversation for others like Chris Hayes; it may be time to ask “what’s the matter with white people?”  We are beginning to have that conversation now and I stand here to try and answer Chris’ question.

What’s the matter with white people?  The same thing that is a problem for all races of people, nothing.  There is nothing wrong with white, black, or brown people except we all fall into one category regardless of race.  That category is critic.  Romans Chapter 14 tells us to be careful of criticism and judge not others but do we listen, no.  We tend to search to find “experts” in certain fields to help us better understand the situation but these experts lack one fundamental ingredient necessary to help us see that which we cannot see.  They are missing the ability not to criticize and judge.  Here’s the scoop.

For individuals like Bill O’Rielly, having one or more black friends does not make you an expert or even slightly knowledgeable in the cause and courses of black life.  Same goes for all races who think that if they had a few other races as friends, it would help them see the other side of the coin.  Sorry to say, but it does not.  Having a few Hispanic friends does not make you more aware of the Hispanic culture nor does it make you anything more than you already was before you had them.  What makes you more knowledgeable is walking a mile in their shoes and since you can’t, you will never know or come close to getting the full gist of what it makes to be of that race.  No one from that community can explain and educate you on all of the trials and tribulations that come with wearing that skin.  Having a few white friends does not make you more aware of their struggles and yes there are many.  If you wish to know about any particular occurrence in any particular community, stop trying to find one or more to ask.  Ask those directly involved because reactions to situations does not come from nor originate through skin color.

A child living in poverty is not unlike any other child except they have to learn a few more adaptations to survive.  The race of that child matters not except to those who look for ways to judge and quick to criticize if those children are not as they think they should be.  No child is born a criminal regardless of the type of outfit they wear.  They are born with the same hopes, dreams and desire as all children.  They just like those who later become racist, are taught to “get their hustle on”.  They are taught to find an easy way and they are taught that being able to accomplish these things brings with them great rewards.  If all your child see and hear about is how great money is, then they will go all out to get it.  It is and always been the case, clothes does not make the man, the man makes the clothing.  Ever seen a model that didn’t look good in what they were wearing?

What’s the matter with white people is the same question we can ask about all races of people.  Simply put, black people have been trying to kill black people their entire history.  How do you think slavery began?  One African tribe saw something that another had and wanted it.  They wanted it so badly that they declared war and took it.  Along with all the males who were not killed and made them their slaves, so when the traders showed up in their ships, the only thing that they could trade worth anything was another black.  This same history is prevalent in all races from the American Indians to the French, Spanish, Germans and Italians. 

What’s the matter with white people?  The same thing wrong with all races.  We are of a mind that we know what is best for everyone because it worked so well for us.  You love the way a particular vehicle drives so you think that everyone else should love it too and when you find someone who doesn’t, they immediately become someone you must convert or an enemy.  They cease being another human being and start being a thorn in your side.  Something to ignore or get rid of, something that does not have the same rights, desires, determination and dreams as you do.  Something foreign and filthy, unwise and unworthy.

The really sad part about all this is in our haste to elevate ourselves at the expense of others, we lose track of the fact that the worse we treat another, the worst our judgment will be.