Happy Birthday Martin Luther King Jr. Thanks for the Power of Your Words

(Previously published on Medium)

Once again I recently read what has become for some, the solution for dealing with matters of racism and white supremacy in America. “Just stop talking about it”.

The suggested solution is a very simple one. It is something that those who agree with its premise are confident will be the game changer to improve race relations in America. The train of thought is this. If we would all get on board and stop talking about racism and white supremacy. Then like some magic poof cloud. It will all just disappear.

Now although I admit I am one of those people who errs on the side of the KISS principle. Which for me means “keep it simple sweetheart” because I seldom refer to others as stupid. And although I do certainly believe there are times when silence is good, wise, and necessary.

When it comes to matters such as racism and white supremacy. I without hesitation disagree with the silence strategy. I don’t know about you? But for me, there are paramount reasons why. They are:

1. It’s not realistic.
2. It won’t work.

Period.

Morgan Freeman Would Disagree with Me

I remember writing about this a few years ago in a 7 part blog series no longer available because I foolishly went with the cheapest host provider and let’s just say the rest is history. I lost access to over 50 articles I’d written. But this is a story for another time. Sigh.

Anyway, the series was about ways we could all take action in regards to helping America heal the gaping wounds of racism and white supremacy so deeply embedded in American culture and society.

In one of the posts, I’d referenced a clip from a 60 Minutes interview between Mike Wallace and Morgan Freeman. Yes. It is still accessible. Unlike my over 50 articles. Wow. I didn’t realize until today how painful remembering about this loss still is for me. I thought I was over it. I see now I am not. But I must move on. (Making a note of my current feelings for a future writing prompt.) Now back to Morgan Freeman.

At one point in the interview, Mr. Freeman was asked about his thoughts regarding Black History Month. His immediate answer was that it was “ridiculous”. He then went on to explain his reasoning. A little later he was then asked the question “What are we going to do about racism?” Again, his immediate answer was “Stop talking about it!”

He explained how it could start by people discontinuing to refer to others in regards to the color of their skin. He said how he’d stop referring to Mike Wallace as a white man, and Mike Wallace could stop referring to him as a black man, and so on.

What jolted my memory about this interview was a recent comment on a FB post I read on a friend’s page. Her posts were referencing two incidents that when displayed side by side showed yet another example of the racial disparities that remain present in our current criminal justice system. Almost immediately one commenter shot back at her to say her posting such articles is the real problem. And she should stop posting so many things about race and racism.

The commenter went on to say how the post was negative and how continued posts about race and racism do more damage than good. He also said such posts only causes grief for the viewers. To cement in the minds of those of us reading his comments and to support why his viewpoint was right. He then copied the link of the 60 Minutes interview of Mike Wallace talking with Morgan Freeman.

He pointed out how Morgan Freeman also shared his view about the effective way to deal with issues concerning matters associated with race and racism in America. And once again, he reiterated the solution is to “Just stop talking about it.”

Be Quiet and it will all Disappear

I do of course realize the commenter referenced above, and Morgan Freeman, are not alone in their silence strategy viewpoint. There are many people who wholeheartedly believe issues related to racism and white supremacy will improve in America if people would make the choice to “Just stop talking it”.

I get it. It’s uncomfortable to be constantly reminded of how we as a country need to do better regarding these matters. However, at the same time. It’s uncomfortable for millions of Black and Brown Americans who see complicity in the silence. The reality is, silence is not always golden.

And even though none of us likes to be made to feel uncomfortable. It is often in working through uncomfortable experiences we position ourselves to grow. To learn. To get better. To do better. Anyone in a long-term committed relationship knows this to be an inconvenient truth.

As Americans, most of us are in a long-term relationship with America. Because of this, the improvement and strengthening of the relationship are critical. And any therapist “worth their salt” will tell you. When it comes to relationships, communication (i.e. talking about issues) not silence, is one of the most crucial actions necessary for positive change.

In Conclusion:

“There’s a moment when you have to choose whether to be silent or to stand up.” Malala

In order for us to get through the current civil and political unrest in America. Now, is the time to stand up and to be heard. Standing up will require the courage to have many awkward and uncomfortable conversations about racism and white supremacy. The much harder reality is there’s no way around it. We must go through the “muck and mire” if we are ever to get closer to realizing a more perfect union.

I think this is something we all know we must do. The question is only whether or not we will choose to do what must be done. Only we can answer for ourselves what our part will be.

As I consider where America is right now, my hope is 3-fold. I hope:

The majority of us will choose to do the hard work required.

We will not be silent about things that matter even when we are uncomfortable.

In the years to come, we will find we’ve moved closer to a more perfect union than farther away.

So in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. I felt it would be a good thing to do to share 5 of his many powerful quotes. Hopefully, his words will be an encouragement for us along the way as we decide exactly where we stand on the matters of racism and white supremacy in America.

5 Powerful Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes

In the end we will remember not the words of our enemy but the silence of our friends.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.

There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic, nor popular but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.

Until the next time…

Much Love & Peace,

CarlaDee

P.S.

If you like what you've read. Tips are graciously welcomed :-)!

Click below to read my story The Chasm in Our Democracy Part 2; My Thoughts about January 6, 2021