Saturday, February 17, 2007

THE PLOT THICKENS

A funny thing happened on the way to D'Angelo's Sandwich Shop. My friend and I ran straight into the reality of reverse racism.

We entered the restaurant together and I told my sandwich preference to the man behind the counter. After a moment my friend, a person of the same race as the counterman, placed her order and I paid the bill. We asked for our items "to go" and moved to a booth to sit and wait for our sandwiches.

Minutes later my sandwich was prepared and I was called to the counter to retrieve it. No problem. I returned to the booth to wait with my friend. I watched as the counter man brought my friend's sandwich to the counter carefully placed them in a bag with her drinks and chips and began walking toward us. He turned around and returned to the counter and grabbed a handful of napkins and added them to the bag. He presented the bag to my friend and we left.

As we made our way across the icy parking lot I asked my friend if she thought we had witnessed reverse discrimination. We agreed that we had and she asked me how that felt. I answered honestly that I was surprised. She volunteered that it felt good to her.

I felt more than surprised at that point.

So, let me get this straight. When others are discriminated against because of their race, I am supposed to be appalled and engage in the struggle to overcome that oppression. When I am discriminated against because of my race, I am supposed to grin and bear it, while persons of other races enjoy the benefits of my oppression. Am I missing something here?

I know that living with the oppression of racism is a horribly demeaning experience, but my reaction to this minor act of discrimination betrays the reality facing people of the dominant race who chose to fight racism and the oppression of others.

Somewhere deep inside me I hold the fear of nearing equality. If I work for the reality that being white and being a person of color provide equal benefit, am I constructing a trap into which I lead others? How can I expect people of color to act in ways that promote equality? Why wouldn't they, as the scales tip towards them, use that momentum to swing the oppressive forces of racism against me and others like me?

It is not a matter of looking at people of color and seeing the potential oppressor residing within them. It is a matter of looking at people of color and seeing in them exactly what resides within me. We are all beloved Children of God capable of great love and great sinfulness.

Whether or not to continue to fight oppression and racism is not a choice. I promised to do that work at my baptism. I can't stop now.

As I type, my friend is outside in 17 degree weather, clearing off her car so our circle of friends can make our way to breakfast. I am sitting here, warm and comfortable, giving thanks for her love and devotion to our little band of brother and sisters.

The struggle continues.