I really thought I was being a good husband and father? I'm not a slacker. I woke up on this fine summer morning nice and early to take my son to drivers training while I let my wife sleep in. As I was waiting for him to get ready I thought I would check my emails and personal messages. I found that I had two on Facebook so I quickly went to the the web-page to check them out. The first thing that popped up on the Facebook wall was an article entitled, “An Open Letter to White Men in America” (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-dr-john-c-dorhauer/an-open-letter-to-white-m_b_7857790.html?utm_hp_ref=religion) I like letters addressed to me, so I began to read it. It told me in bold terms how I am a person of privilege, how I didn’t earn it, how I remain silent while other people are mistreated, how I am not getting arrested enough, or being followed, or being gunned down, and how my kids don’t have teachers without degrees. It even says I need to consider how lucky I am that my church isn’t getting burned down or I am not in danger of getting shot while in prayer meeting. I feel terrible. Worse than that, after reading over that article a few times, I am starting to hate myself. This brought back memories when earlier this year I read an article as I was flying into Arizona about a new class being offered by Arizona State University called: ENG 401: “Studies in American Literature/Culture: U.S. Race Theory & the Problem of Whiteness.” Journalists were calling this new class, “Hating Whitey.” I wondered what I did wrong again because I am white and it says I have a problem...or rather, I am the problem? I am so sorry. I didn't mean to do anything wrong? I recently read another article concerning the new normal concerning SCOTUS's approval of gay marriage (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/05/the-new-post-homophobic-christianity.html) and how we all need to move on to the brave new world of marital equality. In the middle of the article the kind and compassionate author writes, “Will anti-gay Christians be politically and socially ostracized? I sure hope so. Just as those orthodox Christians who still believe in strict, traditional gender roles have been increasingly mocked and absurd.” The final paragraph of the article made this statement: “To those who remain in the fringe minority stubbornly mired in hatred and the dark rationalizations of the past, please try to lose gracefully. You are not being exiled. The world is simply moving on without you.” I am not sure I can even look in the mirror anymore. I guess I am one of those dark minded, fringe minorities who is still mired in hatred? I am not sure I can even live with myself anymore? As I read these three articles, I am wondering if I ever was any good? I am starting to think my whole life has been a cover-up for a desire to dominate and destroy. Taking care of my wife and four kids by giving them all of my money, and going to work every week, and paying my taxes as I go broke, and counseling broken marriages, or helping people pick up the pieces after a loved one had an adulterous or homosexual affair, and helping people with benevolent needs and conducting funerals has all been a facade. I see it clearly now. Everything I have done has been an attempt to hide the monster inside of me. Sure, I'm good looking on the outside, but Freddie Kruger lurks below. I am bad. I have white skin. I am male. And the worst of all, I believe the bible. I actually read it as one would read any ole' book, and I then take it at face value. The world tells me that makes me a dangerous person...and I think they may be right? So I have decided to take the advice of the last article seriously, I will try to lose gracefully. Even though I am not being exiled, I will exile myself. I am now looking to buy a little house. I will place it in the middle of the woods and go in hiding. Deep in the forest I will no longer be a threat. I will eat squirrel and wild carrot. I will fade away. I will admit defeat. Now that I am no longer in denial, I feel a whole lot better. Thank you for the open letter to white men, I think that one singular, well thought out and caring post made the world a better place. Just think, if all white men who believe the bible will simply fade away, go in exile, eat locust and wild honey, peace shall reign. Shalom.
2 Comments
Art
7/27/2015 05:05:19 am
I am right there with you. I will build a house not far from yours so we can both eat squirrel, wild carrots, and maybe knock down a deer every now and then. We can have family campfires and read the Bible in our "fringe minority" forest community. I know of a lot more of us..... if we build.... they will come!
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Chris
7/27/2015 10:32:48 am
Let's build it!
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