tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060859478026871153.post6339104914055007163..comments2023-06-01T09:32:44.265-04:00Comments on Blaque Tulip.com: The End of Blackness Pt. 3Pastor Lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06332221019537547577noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060859478026871153.post-33557203632202631452007-09-13T11:18:00.000-04:002007-09-13T11:18:00.000-04:00This is a very thoughtful series, Pastor Lance. I ...This is a very thoughtful series, Pastor Lance. I was upset in the first paragraph that "blackness" would be considered by a minister to be a bad thing. I understand it has been that way and that some still hold such a vile sentiment. On top of this, the proposed solution was to adopt a no less corrupted human culture ("whiteness" as it were) as something that is to be aspired to.<BR/><BR/>However, inasmuch as whiteness is anti-blackness and blackness is anti-whiteness, such must be set aside. We as Christians certainly must understand that we are part of a transcendent culture, that of the kingdom of heaven, into which we are adopted immediately, but that demands us to continue to become more than what we are in this world and that demands us to live with one another according to our spiritual kinship. And this is after the pattern of Christ who submitted to our need sacrificially. Therefore, as Paul teaches, we must each strive to bear our own burden as well as bear the burdens of others - and this sacrificially.Jim Pembertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01446388434272680014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060859478026871153.post-40469543632156695872007-09-07T21:24:00.000-04:002007-09-07T21:24:00.000-04:00I'm not sure what kind of blackness the teachers w...I'm not sure what kind of blackness the teachers would advocate, but the kids would certainly side with 50 cent.<BR/><BR/>And I appreciate your distinction between legalized racism, and a racialized society. And I agree that in this situation the pressing question <B>is</B>: What is the wisest and best way for black <I>and white</I> folks to respond to such a situation?<BR/><BR/>I look forward to reading more of your answers!Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10585689737078160693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060859478026871153.post-18548040221605912132007-09-07T12:47:00.000-04:002007-09-07T12:47:00.000-04:00yo dudes, good thoughts from both of you. since I ...yo dudes, <BR/><BR/>good thoughts from both of you. since I was planning to deal with these issues in further posts I'll not spend a long time responding to them here. <BR/><BR/>brother wyeth - both my children faced the same issues. in fact once we began attending a mainly black church (during one of my internships) my daughter was often accused of 'acting white'. yet in many ways she seemed to be blacker (in a more historical sense) than many of her counterparts. <BR/><BR/>graham - I suppose it would depend on if the teachers and students defined 'blackness' the same. my sense is that the teachers would identify more with the 'blackness of Obama, while the students might side up with 50 Cent. but you were there so what's your take. <BR/><BR/>re: racism. we no longer live in a society where racism is legal and given moral support by the church. i do believe that we live in a racialized society in which the economic, social, emotional and psychological benefits are weighted to the dominant culture. <BR/><BR/>the issue is what is the best and wisest way for black folks to respond to such a situation?Pastor Lancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06332221019537547577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060859478026871153.post-70382760116689186672007-09-05T20:49:00.000-04:002007-09-05T20:49:00.000-04:00Thanks, Lance, for this perspective into 'the end ...Thanks, Lance, for this perspective into 'the end of blackness.' All three of your posts were very helpful to me. <BR/><BR/>Yet I come away with questions. As a white man who has taught in a black public school in Brooklyn (and lived in the neighborhood), I had the sense that blackness is very strong. I heard the (black) administration preach "proud to be black", and at least sometimes they traced roots back to the slavery era. Is that just an urban phenomenon? Or is this a "new" blackness based on a new situation?<BR/><BR/>I'm also intrigued by your statement that <I>" . . . we no longer live in a racist society. By that I mean that being black is not the single overriding factor that determines each and every important aspect of our lives."</I> Having lived in black Brooklyn for 5 years, my perception is that we do live in a racist society (and I am one of the guilty perpetuators), and that for my students their cultural identity [not color] as black <B>is</B> the single overriding factor that determines every important aspect of their lives. To turn away from their culture was to "sell out" or "play white." Moreover, if they retain their black cultural identity, they won't get the time of day in the culture of power. Am I confusing color and culture? Or am I misunderstanding you? Or is it something else?Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10585689737078160693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060859478026871153.post-7398953928740786802007-09-04T20:07:00.000-04:002007-09-04T20:07:00.000-04:00These are some very interesting thoughts, Lance--s...These are some very interesting thoughts, Lance--some things I've never thought about before. <BR/><BR/>Having grown up with Black folks who were born between 1895 and 1920, I do know things have changed greatly for Black people. Certainly, I didn't grow up in the same world that my grandparents and great-grandparents did. But, what really demonstrates to me that things have changed is looking at my sons. Whereas I grew up in an all-Black neighborhood where just about everyone over a certain age was born "down south", where just about everyone was a member of some Christian church (Baptist, Methodist or Pentecostal), my sons are growing up in a racially and religiously integrated neighborhood. They are growing up with vastly different views of themselves and the world about them than I had at their age. For the most part, I think, that's good. There has been much social progress in America. Also, my sons have spent 7 of their 14 & 11 years in a predominantly white, evangelical church. Needless to say, their religious experience is vastly different from mine at their age. Again, I think this has been a good thing.<BR/><BR/>So, these are some interesting thoughts you raise. Thanks for making us think.<BR/><BR/>WyethWyeth Duncanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com