a mutual silencing

i'm amazed. i had an amazing conversation with my husband [a black man], a peer [a white man], and a friend from another program [a white woman]. what was amazing about it is that we were talking about our experiences in america as black people, as white people, and in situations of racism. the subject was brought up because our friend brought up a time she was accused of being racist by one of her peers [a black woman]. the issue came out when she commented to a young black woman about how well this young woman could articulate her thoughts at her age. our friend's peer, who already suspected her of racism because she was from the south, interpreted her comment as presumptuous and racist. in this case the racism &/or prejudice was not being directed against a black person from someone white, but was directed towards a white woman from a black woman. too often we think racism exudes from the majority against the minorities. but racism is a door that swings both ways.

because of america's history, the fact that much was built upon the backs of black slaves, and the continued inequality for black people after the slaves were freed, there is a spirit of anger in many black people over the events that transpired and a spirit of guilt in so many white people for what their ancestors have done. this history is an uncomfortable history. we seldom talk about its affects on each of us because it is unpleasant. we would all like for these things not to have happened, but they have.

both groups of people have suffered wrong from the lasting memory of past events and prejudices we've learned from our parents, who learned them from their parents, ect., up to the time when slavery was still in place. the mistake most white people make when addressing racial issues is to assume that black people do not have a vastly different experience than they have. even given the same basic education and same basic opportunities, there is much we go through simply because we are black, because of our culture, and because of what we remind other people of. yes, most black and white people would like to put race issues behind us: we are all humans, but while our experience as black people is still filtered through the lens prejudice from so many sources, it cannot be put behind us. the mistake most black people make [is an act of silencing] is to assume that white people do not have or should not have anything to say about our condition or struggle just because they have not gone through the same things we have. white people having a different experience does not mean they do not see, or have insights on black people's experiences. without meaning to, both groups of people have silenced each other. we are all defensive in the attempt not to be thought of as a biggot, lesser than, overpriveleged, prejudiced, excessively angry, etc., and in this attempt not to be lumped in with things from the past we all shove our experiences and opinions under the rug.

voices [repost]

i'm interested in who gets silenced. many have the freedom to speak, but not to be listened to... many have the freedom to believe in something, but not to talk about it to others.

an artist whose work asks and speaks:

wayne dunkley - click third link

In his piece "The Degradation and Removal of the/a Black Male", Wayne Dunkley brings up issues of how black men are seen in Canadian society. When and how they are acknowledged and when and how they are ignored. Over the span of four years, Dunkley posted 400 photocopies of his face all over the cities of Quebec, Ontario, and Toronto "to provoke thought on the subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which the black male is acknowledged or ignored." The images have undergone many transformations from being torn down, written on, defaced, and covered over.

To me, it is interesting the places that black people belong in history but have been replaced or showed in a altered way. For example, many famous people of at least some African decent have been lightened up, or the fact that they are black is shoved to the darkness. Egyptians are not always as light as they are depicted. Just like black people in the U.S.A. vary in complexion, the people from Egypt are not all just light-skinned. To some this might seem like a minor thing, but if all images of women showed only those with red hair and a small waste, women would become upset because it suggests that only red hair and a small waste are desirable or accepted. Beethoven was at least part moor, though history has tried to cover up his dark complexion and his kinky hair. [Alexander Thayer, Life of Beethoven, vol.1, p. 134; Maynard Solomon, Beethoven, p. 78]

an artist whose work speaks and asks:

gwen meharg - 1, 2, 3

Gwen Meherg creates work as an act of worship and many times as a means of recording prophecy. It is fundamentally spiritual in nature and hides nothing of this. In a society where Christian subjects, especially dealing with the Holy Spirit are relatively rare, it is remarkable to find an artist who addresses these things openly and regularly in her work. Her work is profound to me more in that fact that it is expressive in the face of a large movement to silence the Christian voice in the name of promoting the "freedom of religion."

I feel the need to clarify my stance. I am a Christian, but not what the media promotes as Christian. Religion and Christianity are not necessarily the same thing. I do not follow a set of rituals nor do I go to church as if it is a social event. I have seen and been a part of God healing people. I have prayed for direction and been given guidance and the means to go where I have needed to go. I have made mistakes and received correction from them. Many of the things that deal with Christians that are not condemning others [Bible thumpers] or with Christians that are not religious [following principles rather than taking the journey one day at a time as God leads them] are not seen or heard about in mainstream society. This is an act of stifling similar to the one we saw done with the Muslims in the Middle East after September 11, 2001. Not everything is at is appears. The image of peaceful Muslims was withheld from us just as the image of a faithful, yet down-to-earth Christian is withheld.

silenced: the unheard

characteristics

associated w/

is often

can be

is not

based in ignorance

not listening

-> actions speak louder than words

undercurrent

-> in the spirit

not choosing to speak up [on behalf of]

-> all the "neighbors" who walked by

-> easy to participate in without realizing

-> once you've realized, you're as guilty as a teacher who doesn't report child abuse

not choosing to speak up [as no one is listening]

who is not accepted

who makes you uncomfortable

who thinks differently

overlooked

swept under the rug

noticed by those ignored/silenced

"aggravatinfuriating"

overcome

addressed

obstacle to make one stronger

excusable

pleasant

respectful

talked about enough

freedom to be silent

i'm interested in who gets silenced. many have the freedom to speak, but not to be listened to... many have the freedom to believe in something, but not to talk about it to others.

an artist whose work asks and speaks:

wayne dunkley - click third link

In his piece "The Degradation and Removal of the/a Black Male", Wayne Dunkley brings up issues of how black men are seen in Canadian society. When and how they are acknowledged and when and how they are ignored. Over the span of four years, Dunkley posted 400 photocopies of his face all over the cities of Quebec, Ontario, and Toronto "to provoke thought on the subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which the black male is acknowledged or ignored." The images have undergone many transformations from being torn down, written on, defaced, and covered over.

To me, it is interesting the places that black people belong in history but have been replaced or showed in a altered way. For example, many famous people of at least some African decent have been lightened up, or the fact that they are black is shoved to the darkness. Egyptians are not always as light as they are depicted. Just like black people in the U.S.A. vary in complexion, the people from Egypt are not all just light-skinned. To some this might seem like a minor thing, but if all images of women showed only those with red hair and a small waste, women would become upset because it suggests that only red hair and a small waste are desirable or accepted. Beethoven was at least part moor, though history has tried to cover up his dark complexion and his kinky hair. [Alexander Thayer, Life of Beethoven, vol.1, p. 134; Maynard Solomon, Beethoven, p. 78]

an artist whose work speaks and asks:

gwen meherg - 1, 2, 3

Gwen Meherg creates work as an act of worship and many times as a means of recording prophecy. It is fundamentally spiritual in nature and hides nothing of this. In a society where Christian subjects, especially dealing with the Holy Spirit are relatively rare, it is remarkable to find an artist who addresses these things openly and regularly in her work. Her work is profound to me more in that fact that it is expressive in the face of a large movement to silence the Christian voice in the name of promoting the "freedom of religion."

I feel the need to clarify my stance. I am a Christian, but not what the media promotes as Christian. Religion and Christianity are not necessarily the same thing. I do not follow a set of rituals nor do I go to church as if it is a social event. I have seen and been a part of God healing people. I have prayed for direction and been given guidance and the means to go where I have needed to go. I have made mistakes and received correction from them. Many of the things that deal with Christians that are not condemning others [Bible thumpers] or with Christians that are not religious [following principles rather than taking the journey one day at a time as God leads them] are not seen or heard about in mainstream society. This is an act of stifling similar to the one we saw done with the Muslims in the Middle East after September 11, 2001. Not everything is at is appears. The image of peaceful Muslims was withheld from us just as the image of a faithful, yet down-to-earth Christian is withheld.

Freedom to Be

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.