The New York Times had a nice editorial piece about the proliferation of noose related incidents all over the country which have appeared to increase since the marches related to the Jena 6. The best part is that it includes a multimedia box that shows where and when the incidents took place and some basic details about each. It was highly disturbing and I found myself having an involuntary bodily reaction, a tightening of the throat and difficulty with breathing while I read about what is happening. You could say that I was having a post traumatic stress response simply from the association of the noose with the history of lynching in this country. We have so much work to do if we are to avoid the inevitable consequences of the color-line:
"A tremendous effort is required by both races (white and black) if their outlook, their manners, and conduct are to reflect, in this darkened age, the spirit and teachings of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh. Casting away once and for all the fallacious doctrine of racial superiority, with all its attendant evils, confusion, and miseries, and welcoming and encouraging the intermixture of races, and tearing down the barriers that now divide them, they should each endeavor, day and night, to fulfill their particular responsibilities in the common task which so urgently faces them. Let them, while each is attempting to contribute its share to the solution of this perplexing problem, call to mind the warnings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and visualize, while there is yet time, the dire consequences that must follow if this challenging and unhappy situation that faces the entire American nation is not definitely remedied."
(Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 38)
You can read the information about noose related incidents here. Warning: Some of these stories are highly disturbing.
1 comments:
Philippe, you're breaking down the situation with alacrity, as usual. Logic in your passion. Detachment sprinkled (or fuelled?) with outrage. In a standoff over disputed land near my hometown, one of the casualties has been this kind of reason. People polarize everything along white town/Aboriginal reserve lines, when even the most cursory thought (mine, for instance) makes it clear that not all townies feel the same way and, my gosh, it's not as if all residents of the Reserve that borders it are of one mind, one stripe, one racially generated uniform identity. So thanks for breaking it down. And speaking of race, finally read Morrison's Beloved. Now THERE's power...
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