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Fridays With Joe - Week 15

This week CNN aired a special documentary called Black In America.  The show has sparked a real varied response on the CNN site and on our blog as well.  Some have really enjoyed the series and applauded CNN for airing it; others have said its too narrow and that they should make “White In America” and “Latino In America” as well.  Some have also said that this type of show increases racial issues because it just emphasizes differences and that we need to just stop talking about it. 

Overall, I thought it was pretty good, and definitely opened the door for some great discussions by bringing to light a lot of issues that are not often talked about, but I also think since the focus was so heavy on disparity, they missed out on a lot of other aspects of “being Black”.  It would have been encouraging to see more of the good things Black people are doing, and the positive aspects of being Black, especially since they talked about how there is such a lack of that on TV, but I understand the goal was probably more to open people’s eyes to some of the inequalities that still exists for African-Americans in our country today,  rather than show an encompassing cross-section of Black people in America.  That being the case, they did a good job of showing some of the challenges blacks face, and at the same time highlighting how some have been able to overcome those challenges.  I was excited to hear how there have been great increases in Black-owned business and also Black women attending colleges, but its sad to see so many kids grow up in single-parent homes and have little access to good education.  I also really loved the whole “family reunion” aspect, and I admire how in so many situations, extended relatives in Black families take such a hands-on role in helping each other out.

More than anything, I think that the idea of being an “extended family” is what we should take away from this.  The fact is, while in some ways equality is improving, there are still disparities that exist, and nothing is going to change if we just keep arguing about whose fault it is. No matter what race or ethnicity we are, we can make a difference; if we are willing to stop judging and put others before ourselves.  Whether its providing assistance to a single mom, tutoring at an under performing school, mentoring some teenagers, or even just sticking up for someone who is getting a bad rap, everybody can do something.  We just have to make a choice to love, because that’s what family does.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.  Hate what is wrong.  Hold tight to what is good.  Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” 

-Romans 12:9-10 

-JH

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