Reconciled with the Future

Black Americans have a spiritual as well as secular faith in themselves and in America, and that is what makes racial reconciliation possible.

» Back to full entry

All Comments (15)

uxdoiq zbfqcvmd skfh ihsptnev esxkg kfqd gyzt

As it turns out, the introduction to "Christianity" was the greatest thing that could have happened, and quite possibly the real reason for the whole ordeal. However strange this may sound, there is suffering in salvation...
CHRISTIANITY at its core, when compared to all other beliefs, unbelief, religions, etc., in the world explains MARK, NAME, NUMBER, and IMAGE (Rev. 13:15-18/KJV), answering the 2000-year-old question.
sharehopeinpromise-ministry.org/blog

GeorgiaSon:

One almost hates to say anything negative in response to Mr. Jordan's eloquent words.

But once more, a commentary by a prominent African-American ignores the elephant under the rug. The illegitimate birth rate in the black community drives a stake into the heart of the hope for progress for those black Americans--a tiny proportion of the overall American population--still mired in poverty, unemployment, poor education, drugs, and crime.

Until leaders like Mr. Jordan deal squarely with that problem, all the black-white reconciliation in the world will not significantly change those blacks situation.

madrone:

Reading all capitalized characters for an entire article or essay is somewhat straining...

So here it is without all caps:

Being born in Georgia in the mid-1930s, I grew up in an era when the lives of black Americans were shadowed by limitation. That was especially true in the south where most often the best kind of behavior one could expect from whites was indifference. There were plenty of times during my childhood and adolescence when white southerners displayed human behavior at its worst. But, while I was aware at an early age of the injustice white America imposed upon black Americans, i never felt intimidated by it. I never felt I needed to bow to the white society’s insistence that I radically limit my aspirations.
The reason is i was reconciled with the future.
That’s not how one usually considers the matter of reconciliation. It’s most often thought of as having to do with the past. But for many black southerners born in the time of Jim Crow, reconciliation was a much more complex matter. Their embrace of reconciliation with the white south and with the whole of white America was grounded in their vision of a future in which black Americans would live as free men and women – a vision black Americans have carried with them since we landed on these shores – despite the fact that we didn’t come willingly.

We know, from the scholars of the colonial and antebellum periods, that black Americans, enslaved and free, continually, insistently expressed our belief in our own humanity and that we believed our rights as human beings were no less inalienable than those of white Americans. They did so nonviolently all through their history here, culminating in the civil rights movement from the 1930s to the 1960s. This bespeaks an extraordinary commitment – I call it patriotism – to the American ideal. It also involved a remarkable hope that white Americans would come to practice that shining concept which was the guiding principle of the black freedom struggle: the self-evident truth that all human beings are created equal. Certainly, some significant part of that vision and hope came from black Americans immediately adapting the Christianity they were taught by whites, affirming that they, too, were equal in the eyes of god, and thus, were equal on earth as well. Black Americans had a spiritual as well as secular faith in America because they had a spiritual as well as secular faith in themselves.
Part of that faith in the future was expressed in the nurturing of the talents of the young. This went on even in the cities, towns and hamlets where the restrictions against what blacks could aspire to were codified in thousands of laws. I benefited from that nurturing, that pushing and pulling within my family and within the black community of Atlanta as much as anyone. I believed at an early age that i was in training and i was preparing myself for leadership in the future.
This, for me, is the individual and broad context that has made possible the reconciliation – still occurring, still far from completed – between black Americans and white Americans. It could begin to happen because black Americans have always known not just for themselves but to enable Americans to realize the promise of America. Black Americans undertook that great mission because we’ve always known this is our country, too.

Vernon Jordan is an attorney, civil rights leader, business consultant, and influential power broker. Although he never held political office, Jordan served as a key adviser to President Clinton. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

4th watch:

V.Jordan
“That Faith in the Future” you mention is really Your personal faith in your own future.

------------Vernon did not permit obstacles to become justification for failure.----------
Those ten words build successful lives. This holds true in professional careers as well as private spirituality. Substitute Vernon with another name, perhaps your own, see where you stand.

ananymous:

VERNON...IT WITH EVERY BREATH THAT THE ALMIGHTY REMINDS OF THAT NEVER ENDING BOND. YET, TO LIVE IN THE SPEED OF ILLUSION,THERE FOREVER TIMES WE FORGET, TIMES WE NEED REMINDING. LOVE AN BREATH AWAY, MANY UNTIMED MOMENTS,THAT GIFTED TO ENJOY. xx X

Jacob Jozevz On: Israeli American raised by Black Americans:

Hello Brethren(s) & Sistar(s) V. JORDAN Family , et al;

Greetings from Coney Island, N.Y.C., U.S.A., one of the most Culturaly mixed neighborhoods in town. and possibly on Space-Ship Momma Poppa EARTH, aks S,S, TELLUSng something, so to speaketh.

Please know that in early 60's i came to America from Israel & wowned-up in good ole Coney Island, a fun place to be! My Dad lost all his family in AUCHWITZ, via Mr. Hitler, not the GERMAN HUMATE-KIND. And My Mom lost all the MEN in U.S.S.R. via Mr. Stalin, not the Georgian/Russians Humates! Note: My Dad recieved Reperations moneys so we IMMIGRATED Here instead of AUSTRALIA, So,

i & me siblings ,never got to enjoyth a GrandMa/Pa & Aunt/Uncle npr Cousins., [may XTRA Photons shine at their sides] like you and most. YET,

In Coney Island (During the BEAM & LINDSEY Mayoral Admin)

i was raised by a beautifull family whom moved from Brownsville/Rckaaway, but Originally from S. CAROLINA by Mr JUNIOR & MRS. SADi JOHNSON [may XTRA Photons shine at their side] & Family.

My dad had rented the basement to the JOHNSON'S [not Hotel] And it was Momma Sadi who fed me "Chitlins" [the Kosher & Hallal ones] & Corn Cakes & Bisquits & fried Okra etc.. Ummmm Ummm Goda Gooda! Yep there are offsping and they are lookin & going good here in Sweet Sweet Momma {liberty] Poppa [Sam] AMERICA.

But, i've also been to South Africa & i saw Aparthied at it's worst. Especially when i wanted to lay with Betsy, a Black, in Durban, South Africa in the 70's. Yet American Blacks had it made even in the 1960's in Sweet Sweet America if one compared. YET,

In America It's about ASSIMILATIOn & Get'in mitt the Mix! As a matter of a beautifull fact, me Neiece, Dawn, had this Summer married MAX a MOloto Black Beauty! Interesting! Ya Ya. Gee, I'm one Proud Uncle! Note: No Kids. But, ECLATi willing, i'l let ya know.

Oh, talking about Mix, i recently Prophecied that AMERICA is going to inevetably Absorb & Merge with MEXICO & possibly as far "South of the Borders" all the way to PANNAMA if possible, thus Establishing 100 or so States.

This can possibly include CUBA also. Well, someone said, "I HAVE A DREAM...." [Dr. M.L.K.Jr. & Momma king, pbuhim/her et al].

PS: I once lived in Jonesboro, GA. & Me first Son Jason, was Born in ATALATA, Ga, & was raised as a 'Primitive Baptist, mostly in Alabama. Also, me ex-Fatherinlaw, Lynwood [pbuh], was a K.K.K. er. He did not like "N"s nor them "FOREIGNERS" nor "YANKEES" etc . So Racists are Every where & as long as there are GOOD MEN like you Sir's & Mamm's, then America is surely Blesseth indeed, as Prophecied via All Five Major INFIXUS BOOKS, aka Scriptures/Bible/Holy this & holier than thu that.

The Question is" Who Does Lynwood HATE now??? The Point is; Like CONFUCIUOS [pbuh] said, Do not do others than one nat do unto self." [Similar said, includes others or Similar Tautology]. SO;

The End here is, that RECONCILIATION with FUTURE and or Self & other HUMATES is POSITIVE THINKING & Healthy. Like Momma used to say, "TIME is THE best MEDICINE..." And my Dad used to say, "If you have noting good to sayth to HUMATE-LIKE-KINDs then do not say ANYTHING at ALL."!!!

So, i am greatfull in this 'Miraclulous' Holy Cosmic Planet, having ZERO blemishes, Curses & or any kind of Superstupidstitious Biblical SIN Story's , for having to know such Beautifull Black Americans on Space Ship Momma Poppa Earth.

Before i go: Please Know, that My Family 'FORGIVITH" not long ago, the GERMAN HUMATE kinds, & the GEORGIAN/U.S.S.R. HUMATES too. But i TRUST but will continue to verify certain Behaviours from the "R.I.S.(E)P.M.G." perspective.

EXAMPLE: Let's use AMERICA for a sample;
R=eligion;
i=intellectual/intell/individual;
S=ociety;
E=C*O*N*O*M*I*C*S (is Everything, GDP/GNP/military/Agricultural might etc..);
P=olitical;
M-ilitary;
G-overnment {Monarchy, Secular, Theocracy, ECLATi-ON, ...}.

So together withe DIPLOMATIC HISTORY knowledge , hence the Apocalyptic adage, "HISTORY IS O.U.R. JURY", and with the ART of PERSUATION & ofcourse the RIS(E)PMG invisions, so to speaketh, then HUMATE KIND will see a GRIDARIAN DEMOCRACT & a TRANSFINITE CIVILIZATION soon!

We HUMATE(s), aka "We The People" Of Space Ship GAIA , Salute You et al for trying to Usher-in WORLD PEACE & HEALINGS OF NATIONS & More Good Tidings.

Note: Each immortal mortal HUMATE makes their own SALVATION. Not Jedeo-Judeo, not Judeo-Christians, not Judeo-Islamics, not Judeo-Hindus, not Judeo-Buddhists et al!

REMEMBER be "A*W*A*R*E ,: THAT, WE are born in MIRACLE never in some kind of Biblical Adam & Eve & Drunkin Racist NOAH Story's via the ABRAHAMIC VEDIC "MOSAIC" Spell binding Lies EFFECT (like if a Leader tells a big enouh LIE people will come, & believe , not just to Stadiums so to speaketh) & the & the "VYASAIC" Effect respectfully!

Note: The Laws of NATURE also has a Positive Deterministic Character like US-HUMATES, in the U.S., & elswhere or other Planets of Many, that sayth:

"I" do the thing .. (for Humates it's 'my thing' so aslog as your doing is Kosher then all well, but if not, then do not get caught, since ECLAT + "i" knows all).. and so "I" have the POWER, Else, IF "I" do not the thing, then "I" + "i" have Zero POWER! So PROCRASTINATION is a THEIF Of TIME. And this is, like INFLATIN, O.U.R. real SATANs. so to speaketh!


WE Salute All Peace Makers & Nation Builders for an APOCALYPTIC CIVILIZATION via the World Faith Exchange & their U.N. mandated VOTARY ASSOCIATIONs via their respective PERLIEU's Grid System!

Praise The LORD ECLATi. May XTRA Photons shine on Sweet Sweet AMEERICao & Friendly's Forever!

PEACE-SHOLOM-SALAAM!

< ?: +) / Ya Ya!

Together Forever , Black & White in the Mix, with SOURCE-ONE, the Non Jealous & thus Fealess Holy No MAN/Mon, Genuine CREATOR of the FIAT LUX!

"The UNIVERSE is MY Transfinite CONSTITUTION and the LAW of 'IT' (Universal Eponymous 'ECLAT'or Lord, G-D & by many names, is not a HE nor a She, but only an IT being ITSELF, like HUMATES) is O.U.R. genuine CLAUSES!"

Note: The U.S.A. CONSTITUTION is also a Miracle in IT's owm MIRACULOUS right, but is created like the INFIXUS BOOKS, by MAN, and not G-d , appearing as himself or Herself on Space-Ship Earth.

Remember: WE HUMATES, aka We The People" Are in Fact, All SON(s) & DAUGHTER*s) of SOURCE ONE, Eponymous ECLAT + "i+! Together Forever with IT involved in O.U.R FRONTAL LOBE , lodged in O.U.R. HOLY PHOTONIC Biofinite Carbon Based Booty's! and then some, so to speaketh, CYBER FRIEND(s) & REAL FRIEND(s).!

HARK: BIO-FINITE Daeth is never O.U.R. TRANSFINITE (Reality) DEATH! WHEREFORE:

BEHOLD: HUMATES (in Frontal Lobe Possesing Creatures Only) was never created, nor can ever be destroyed! Just Try To Be NICE NICE or VERY NICE. And Never UN-JUSTIFIABLY DIM or Stuff out the LOVE of LIGHT out of or from any HUMATE kind! Ramember: ECLAT + "i". And ECLAT knows what to Next with your Immortal "i".

ECLATARIANS ARE STUDENTS FOREVER OF SOURCE-ONE & THAT WE NEVER GRADUATE, From Past Planet Miracle Hopings of US, and even TODAY & also in the Future Bound way & places with NO End! PTL! Hallaluya!

Prophecy: The ARAB OIL PRODUCING ARAMCO Nations will Drink much of their own PETRO. And That Their "KABBA" in Mecca, SAUDi Arabia will have a fate Similar to the Twin Towers of 911. And the "Al AQSA DOME" in JERUSALEM will also have a similar fate like the PENTAGON! But there is a Chance to stop this.

Explanation: At the "POW-WOW" or World Peace SUMMIT tomorrow at Annapolis, Md. & within a years TIME via His NEW-NAPOLIAN of the MIDDLE-EAST, on a White Horse (not Lawrence of Arabia) Presidents Geaorge W. Bush et al tenure in office.

Question: Whts the Difference between a 'Lame-Duck' President, a Repulican & an ELephant?

ANSWER: The Samr SHIAY & there is nothing SUNNi about IT! Ya Ya! Eeeeeee Haaaaa! PEACE YO ALL!

VOTE:((Peace Love Rockn Rolln Rapn Mitt-ROMNEY for Prez, 2008 YEA! Thanks ECLATi-ONs)).

This is the Story of Many!

Gaby:

Chuck, excellent comment. Couldn't have said it better myself. Having worked in the DC government environment, I have experienced first hand that many African Americans "were tightly focused on the racial inequalities they perceived in the world around them, and did not seem to recognize that their own failure to apply themselves to their schoolwork was likely to result in a suboptimal outcome for them as well." In many cases, their education was not up to par, their work was sloppier and slower than that of their peers and when called on to account for mistakes their first line of defense was discrimination. I know can be construed as racist, which I am absolutely not, but many supervisors failed to correct sloppy workmanship for precisely that reason. To be called racist. The black community needs to quit playing the race card at every opportunity, take a realistic look at their shortcomings, and start making improvements.

ananymous:

VERNON, IF I MAY ADD,THESE FEW WORDS. LOVE BEING FAR MORE DESTRUCTIVE THAN HATE, IF NOT BALANCED WITH UNDERSTANDING, EXPERIENCE. (((AN IMPORTANT LESSON ALL NOW MUST LEARNT))). THOSE IN TERMS OF SPIRITUALLITY, WHOM ARE STILL BE CHILDREN, ONE MUST CONTINUE WITH AN ATTITUDE OF COMPASSION, AS DEPTH IN UNDERSTANDING. IT BE ALSO WISE TO ARISE FROM ONE'S KNEES, GOD, (( UNDERSTAND )), BE NOT WHITE, BLUE, GREEN, YELLOW, PINK, GREEN, ORANGE. ALL EQUAL BEFORE GOD. THE CREATION OF UNIVERSE, FOR ONE PURPOSE, SUSTAINING THE HUMAN FORM,THAT IT BRING THROUGH HEART AS BRAIN, UNDERSTANDING, EXPERIENCE, WHICH ,THE VERY ESSENCE OF CREATION.

JoeT:

Chuck: while it is always valid to make the points you do (and Bill Cosby does, much to the consternation of other black leaders) the question is what to do about it. What you describe is taken by some as an excuse to end any efforts to address the lingering pathologies that resulted from the not all that distant past. The cry to end affirmative action as being counterproductive is deceptively attractive, to those with motives pure and not so pure, for example. It's too easy to say that blacks should just "get over it" and enjoy the supposedly color-blind society we supposedly have. it's also too easy for those affected by the inner city pathologies you describe to wallow in their victimhood. I think we need to avoid both extremes, fully appreciating that the damage done in the past is not easily eradicated, while at the same time not accepting excuses. The tough work is in the middle.

Chuck:

Sir, I salute your achievements, but I fear that your experience and your attitudes are far different from those of the black Americans I encountered when I was in high school a few years ago. At the time, many of my black peers (with one or two notable exceptions) seemed to feel little or no pressure at home or in the community to perform, and as a result were generally poorer students in the classroom relative to students of other ethnic backgrounds (this was an ethnically-diverse private school in downtown DC, by the way). This contrast was particularly striking when compared to the small number of black students of direct African and Caribbean origin I encountered, who were among the hardest-working of the students at the school.
Even the relatively privileged native-born black students with whom I went to school were tightly focused on the racial inequalities they perceived in the world around them, and did not seem to recognize that their own failure to apply themselves to their schoolwork was likely to result in a suboptimal outcome for them as well. The most common sentiment I heard was that the system was rigged, and there was no point in trying to succeed. Although I disagreed with that viewpoint, I did not and do not consider that to be a valid reason for not attempting to maintain at least an average class standing. Further, this was not a point I felt comfortable making even to my black friends, as I was well aware of the defensive and hostile response it was likely to provoke.
Is it possible that the lessons your generation learned in a time of genuine and overt racial injustice have been forgotten or subverted in a time when the greatest obstacle between black students and academic and professional success seems to be black culture itself? That the disintegration of traditional black neighborhoods and values has left many young blacks paradoxically convinced that they have no chance of success when in point of fact their chances are far better than any previous generation? That not only are they entitled to rely on governmental support, but that to do so is entirely appropriate because they cannot be expected to take responsibility for their own destinies? If so, I fear the efforts and contributions of those in your generation to the cause of social, economic, and political equality for all races may come to naught in the face of a poisonous social worldview that subverts its adherents by tolerating mediocrity and rejecting personal responsibility.

ananymous:

VERNON....ONE BEING PUT ON THE ALMIGHTY'S ANVIL HAVING THE IMPURITIES BEAT OUT OF THEM BEING A GREAT GREAT HONOUR, SUCH THE REALITY FOR BLACK AMERICANS. WHEN PUTTING ASIDE....THE INJUSTICE, THE BRUTALITY, THE APPALLING ABUSE, IGNORANCE, THE ARROGANCE, WHITE SUPREMECY, WHITE STUPIDITY, THE DAILY ENDLESS SUFFERING.... WHAT HAVING YOU LEFT, BUT TURNING FROM WORLDLY ILLUSION, UNTO THE "SPIRITUAL REALITY", WHERE ONE GROW AS GAIN IN TRUE KNOWLEDGE, THUS IN TIME, BEING BLESSED. ENABLED. TO STAND BEFORE THE POWER OF CREATION.

dnA:

The web editor who posted this piece should be fired.

Reconciling race is an important first step in achieving the success of the American Dream. The reconciliation is not about acknowledging differences - but rather about acknowledging the same-ness of humanity.
Ohg
http://thefiresidepost.com/2007/11/26/oprah-and-barack-transcending-race/

Question:

Why all caps? reconciliation must be mad serious these days

Post a comment

Top Local Global

On Faith is an interactive conversation on religion moderated by Newsweek Editor Jon Meacham and Sally Quinn of The Washington Post. It is produced jointly by Newsweek and washingtonpost.com, as is PostGlobal, a conversation on international affairs. Please send your comments, questions and suggestions for On Faith to David Waters, its producer.