Author Archive
Chris Lahr
Researching My Sundown Town: What white people can do about racism…
Thursday, October 6th, 2011
The next step on the path towards reconciliation is an important one. It is at this point that we reach a critical juncture of either rejection or repentance. Racial justice is not something easily obtained and for some white folks the temptation to return to silence or inactivity is a reality. For others it is at this stage that one commits to living differently. A motto I live by states, “for the way I am shame on my parents, but if I’m this way in the future shame on me.” We have all been shaped by our past both positively and negatively. When talking about racism it’s easy for many white folks to say things like, “let’s move on already,” “we cannot live in the past,” but it is up to us to act responsibly to make changes to those areas that have had negative consequences on ourselves and in society. The following are some steps I made at understanding some of my own history and the history of the white enclave of my birth. It has been this journey that I have been inspired not to look down on my hometown, but to have my eyes opened to her great potential in our society to model real racial justice.
The Red Flag: What White People Can Do About Racism
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
My church (Iglesia del Barrio) is located in the neighborhood called Kensington, known as one of the most economically oppressed neighborhoods in Philadelphia, as well as the home to several of the top ten drug corners in the city. One summer, I was pulled over by the police. When I told them I was a youth pastor at Iglesia del Barrio, they thought I was being “smart.” They told me to get out of the car… place my hands on top of the trunk…. and they proceeded to frisk me. I didn’t do anything illegal, I guess they thought I had to be up to something, being a white guy, in “the hood.” Why else would I drive through this neighborhood, unless I was up to “no good? ”
End the Silence of the Good People – What White People Can Do About Racism
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011
“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.” – MLK Jr
Over the last few years as I have researched the history of my hometown’s racial past, several white people have asked me why I want to delve into things “that happened long ago” and that are “best forgotten.” For some they think I am simply trying to stir up trouble. I beg to differ. A few years ago, I visited the Holocaust Museum in Germany, the Genocide Memorial in Rwanda and the Apartheid Museum in South Africa, all in one trip. It was a heavy trip indeed, but as I reflected on my time at these places, I never got the feeling that these landmarks were somehow glorifying the past, rather they were elevating horrible events and showing humanity the evil we are capable of; and the displays all shouted “No More!” Those who forget the past are bound to repeat it.
Oh Crap I’m White. . .What White People Can Do About Racism
Thursday, September 15th, 2011
One of the privileges of being white is that you do not have to think about race. On TV if a black person does something illegal you often hear about it, whereas if the guilty party is white, the reporter bypasses mentioning the fact. White folks who end up walking the path of reconciliation often have an “Oh crap, I am white” moment. This is the time when a white person realizes what it means to be white and all of the privilege this involves… history… and even pain that comes with it. Folks at this stage of reconciliation often feel guilty and even shame for the cultural privilege that they have discovered. It is not uncommon for folks at this stage to say things like, “I feel bad about myself,” “I hate being white,” “I wish I were Black/ Latino,” “White people are to blame,” “It’s my fault.” White guilt does no one any good if it does not lead to just actions.
Moving on the Block: What White People Can Do About Racism
Friday, September 9th, 2011
“What white people can do about racism” as a blog series is not so much a “how to” manual to end racism, as much as it is a reflection on a journey and a call to join a life-long journey of racial justice. Along each step of the way you are called to reflect on your own path and to be encouraged with moving yourself forward in these “stages of reconciliation.” The first stage was moving from ignorance to awareness. In this stage we talked about the need for moving outside of one’s white enclave and the importance of experiencing relationships with people of color. The second stage was moving from pity to empathy. Early on in this stage many white people have a “missionary complex” and develop one-sided relationships, not really taking the time to understand someone else’s history and current reality. As this stage progresses we realize that relationships are not enough!
The Great White Hope? What White People Can Do About Racism
Friday, August 26th, 2011
I attend a congregation called, Iglesia del Barrio (IDB), which translated into English means “church of the neighborhood.” The congregation is made up of predominantly Puerto Rican folks who have lived most of their lives in Philly. After moving to Philly eleven years ago, my wife and I wanted to find a congregation that was rooted and active in the neighborhood and IDB proved to be that place.
Several years ago I was working at our after-school program when one of the kids asked if I was related to the white people standing outside in front of our church. My initial response was that just because I was white, it didn’t mean I was related to all white people J; but I thought I’d better go take a look just in case a long lost cousin or uncle decided to pay a visit. Come to find out they weren’t related at all, instead it was a youth group from Oklahoma that decided they would bring Jesus to our neighborhood through a little preaching, skits, and handing out goody bags for those who stayed around to listen.
