Making an effort is not the destination
Posted: Saturday, May 17, 2003

Reply: Ayinde RastafariSpeaks Reasoning Forum
May 17th, 2003, 3:09pm

It is understandable that some Whites who are making an effort want to be seen as different from the rest. But people are not supposed to take this at face value. Such Whites should not expect automatic acceptance because of efforts. There are too many, WAY TOO MANY, Africans who are making a genuine effort to help themselves and others without recognition and without looking to be accepted by any one group.

There are Africans even on this board that are very enlightened but in their wisdom they will not try to ridicule people who are relentless in their effort to keep the African aspect of our work alive. If it were not for the efforts of many who work to keep the African focus alive, some of us will not be able to make time to address the other concerns (spiritual or otherwise).

Some whites really do feel sickened by the conduct of other whites when they see them continually come here asking silly questions and making derogatory statements. However SOME whites just stay on the side and observe the poor conduct of other whites, while they keep their focus on trying to correct the legitimate attitudes of Africans.

What would give some, who are simply making an effort, the feeling that they can understand the depth of the legitimate distrust many Africans have for whites?

Why would some expect others to suddenly accept them as different solely by their word? Making an effort is not equal to change. And no one is obligated to believe someone at his or her word. We would have to wait for a new history of improvement before these attitudes can change.

Are Africans suddenly to stop legitimately generalizing because a few are making an effort? If some know they are different in the face of widespread racism then they should not be offended by a generalization, which is still legitimate. They should understand that for many Africans the struggle is a day-to-day affair where any error in judgment about white attitudes can cost them their lives. It is safer for many Africans to maintain the distrust and not dismiss the lessons of History.

Inside many Whites, even those who are making an effort, is still the desire to tear down yet another African and many times the very Africans they would have 'learned' from. The same as most males who continually struggle to accept that a woman has all the rights she can perceive. The nuances of racism and male domination do not go away because one is making an effort.

Making an effort is part of a journey and not the destination.

Ones should take the time to reach the destination so they can truly understand the real distrust of many better-informed Africans. 

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