I am writing this blog on July 4, 2017. I saw on the news this past week that a majority of young Americans are not proud of their country. As a sixty-eight year old white man, I find this poll disturbing.
While I was preparing a song list for our Black and White Like You and Me breakfast, I stumbled across a country music song by Brad Paisley and LL Cool J. That’s right a country star and a rap star collaborated on “Accidental Racist.” A line in the song goes, “I’m proud of where I’m from but not everything we’ve done.”
Don’t those words pretty much sum up all of mankind’s existence? From present day Germans feeling patriotic about their country despite the shadow of Hitler and Nazism to Americans celebrating their independence despite the specter of segregation, Paisley sings,”
And it ain’t like you and me can re-write history; our generation didn’t start this nation; we’re still pickin’ up pieces, walking on eggshells, fightin’ over yesterday.
Forty-five blacks and whites gathered for breakfast and socialization this past Saturday. Everyone in the room knew about slavery and segregation, but we were proud that we, in 2017, were enjoying each other.
LL Cool J sings, “I guess we’re both guilty of judgin’ the cover not the book; I’d love to buy you a beer, conversate and clear the air; but I see that red flag and I think you wish I wasn’t here.”
Cookie and I in our book Black and White Like you and Me urge blacks and whites to start the conversation so that as LLCool J says, “If you don’t judge my do-rag, I won’t judge your red flag.”
God bless America: we know you aren’t perfect, but who or what is? Why dwell on the past like carrying around a sack of potatoes? Pretty soon those potatoes will rot and the weight and the stench will make you more miserable. Our country has made some terrible mistakes no doubt. Try concentrating on the great parts that we can be quite proud of like eating and “conversating” with the other race.
Good morning, America! I know you are going to have a great day. I am proud of you!
