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Steinburg : Prejudice could use a little Christmas

A Conservative’s Viewpoint

by Bob Steinburg
bob@aconservativesviewpoint.com

The late Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne wrote the music and lyrics to “The Christmas Waltz,” which celebrates in song the wonder, joy, awe and love of this very special time of year. “It’s that time of year when the world falls in love, every song you hear seems to say, Merry Christmas ….” The magic of the season is everywhere, allowing most of us to place our problems, fears, and even our prejudices on hold until after the New Year.

Last weekend our town bedazzled visitors and locals alike as private homes and public buildings were showcased in holiday splendor during Edenton’s annual Christmas House Tour. This small historic town of less than 5,000 grew to twice that over the weekend. Folks milled about during the day in the brisk seasonal air, going in and out the many quaint shops that line our main street. Edenton’s waterfront setting enhances the beauty of the history that abounds here.

My friend Donald visits us each year to spend a couple of days and enjoy our town’s colonial holiday hospitality. He is a man of enormous talent-not only an accomplished musician, but a renowned vocalist. Donald has a massive physical presence but is one of the gentlest men I’ve ever known. On Friday evening, we visited the homes that were on tour, reveling in the majesty and splendors of Edenton’s holiday ambiance. As we neared the end of our pilgrimage, we entered a home with a piano next to a fire in the hearth. When the owners learned of Donald’s talent, they asked him to play a Christmas song or two. Not only did he play, but sang as well to the obvious delight of everyone. The owners were kind enough to invite us to stay for dinner, but my wife was preparing our dinner at home, two short blocks away.

I share this story because of an indescribable feeling that overwhelmed me as I observed Donald entertaining those inching ever closer to the piano. Donald is black. Looking around the room in this grand southern home there was no sense of the racial divisiveness that has often divided this great nation; no-not on this night; not in this season of good will towards men.

Another black friend is Lenny, who does political commentary for Fox News in Charlotte. On a recent overnight visit, we had ample opportunity to sit and chat. While we rocked away on our front porch he said something that zeroed in on the progress this country has made in improving race relations between blacks and whites: “You know Bob, not that many years ago I would have never thought this possible.” My curiosity piqued. “What possible,” I inquired? “Sitting on the front porch of white folks as an equal in a small southern town,” he replied.

Lenny is correct about progress being made. But we still have a long way to go. Electing Barack Obama president indicates that many want to put the issue of race behind us. But even this historic election cannot change what still remains in the hearts of some: disdain, contempt and indifference to those whose skin is of a different shade. While racism may not be as overt as it once was, it can still be exhibited in various subtle ways.

I received an e-mail last week from an acquaintance that disturbs me. The sender was alleging that two black county commissioners recently elected to a neighboring county’s legislature were being victimized by racial slurs by some white commissioners behind closed doors. If true it’s a sad day for that county.

It is hard to believe too that there are still clubs, including national service organizations, which “discourage” blacks and even women from joining their ranks. A black ball system sometimes is in place that allows some club members to hide their prejudice in anonymity. If they were seen as overt racists their business or political interests might be negatively affected.

I know of private clubs admitting to membership a “token” black, so the group would look like it was open and thus impervious to any legal challenges. This type of hypocrisy is beyond the pale.

It would be unfair to suggest that racism is always white on black. It comes in as many flavors as offered in a Baskin-Robins ice-cream parlor. There are for example, blacks who have disdain for whites. Some of these folks complain incessantly about history being unjust toward their race, with some going as far as demanding reparations from the government for over two centuries of pain and suffering. It is hard to see how any significant progress can be made in closing the racial divide with this approach. America cannot be held hostage by the actions of her ancestors, no matter how regrettable.

When our children were young, my wife and I often volunteered to help staff our church nursery. These black, white, Hispanic and Asian children were too young to know anything about prejudice- and it showed. They were just being kids; God’s children enjoying the comfort and company of one another as equals.

While there still are many who view racial prejudice as a complex issue, our children do not. Maybe its time we model some of our behavior after them, instead of the other way around. And there is no better time to start than Christmas. It is after all “that time of year when the world falls in love”.

Bob Steinburg is a resident of Edenton, N. C. and is featured as a regular columnist, in the spirit of offering different viewpoints and opinions on issues of local, state and national levels. The writer can be contacted via email at:
bob@aconservativesviewpoint.com

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