[Peace-discuss] Re: [Peace] AWARE Minutes for 8 October 2006

[Randall Cotton]

I'm replying to this on peace-discuss, since it's more appropriate for that list
(peace is generally just for announcements, calls to action and meeting
minutes).

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John W." <jbw292002 at gmail.com>
To: "Randall Cotton" <recotton at earthlink.net>; <Peace at lists.chambana.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 6:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Peace] AWARE Minutes for 8 October 2006


: >The meeting was with Imani Bazzell with 5 members of AWARE's Anti-Racism
: >Working
: >Group to explore ways in which the ARWG could contribute to the cause of
: >fighting racism/discrimination. We discussed many things, but one thing Imani
: >said that struck me was that as mainly white middle-class folks, we know best
: >how our parents and grandparents think. We know best how to craft a
: >message that
: >would reach our siblings or cousins.
:
:
: This has been suggested since the 1960's, at least.  It was foolishness
: then and it's foolishness now.

Well, I don't immediately recognize it as foolishness - indeed it does resonate
and makes some sense to me. Your comment seems cynical, condescending and
hurtful (if you intended to hurt my feelings, you succeeded). But perhaps I'm
naive and misguided and need to be educated. I'd be glad to listen to a critique
of this premise you so quickly dismiss, if you're willing to oblige (honestly,
it's not self-evident to me that it's foolishness)...

R