Musings: Racism – A Curse to a Peaceful, Civil and Unified Society

Having grown up in Kenya, being educated in England and having lived in the United States for the last 40 years, I have had a difficult time understanding the obsession with race. I have friends of all colors and do not judge people by the color of their skin.

I always look at the souls of people, and I’m happy to report that all souls are purple … which happens to be my favorite color. In other words, race does not describe a person; their values do. When you meet people who share your values, your spirit will resonate. Sure you need to develop that connection with your spirit – I do that through my meditation. (Link HERE) I find that those survey questions on race need to be outlawed, as they divide society and do not promote a civil way of being. Look at our common choices:

1. Hispanic but not white
2. Native American but not white
3. Caucasian
4. African American
5. Asian
6. Other

Whenever I come up to one of these surveys, I always mark “Other” and add in “Human.” It is important we instill this value in our children and, frankly, in the adults as well. Unless we get that we are one human race we will NEVER ever be able to get to peace. The United States is a diverse melting pot (as evidenced by over 140 languages being spoken in LA alone), and this country can lead the rest of the world by modeling that we are a true civil society when we respect every race, religion and creed as one. Will we ever get there?

Recently, a widespread news story reported that Donald Sterling, owner of the LA Clippers basketball team, had made racist remarks, resulting in him being fined $2.5 million as well as being banned for life from pro basketball. This sort of response brings up some questions when dealing with racism and with our response to it.

• What do we do with someone who secretly has spoken racist remarks?

I say call him or her on it and promote that we are one human race – that skin color does not define a person, but their values do. Educate with compassion and give examples of people like Gandhi, Desmond Tutu, Mother Theresa, Dalai Lama, Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, Thich Nhat Hanh, Abraham Lincoln and other people who promote a civil society and are positive role models in our society.

• What should those who are offended by such remarks do?

They need to explore their own views regarding racism. If they are offended, it suggests that they have not completely dealt with their own bias and perhaps it’s a good time to dwell deep into this inquiry. Sometimes bad experiences with someone who is a different race can color the entire race, but as Winston Churchill taught us: “No generalization including this one is worth a darn.” No one race is good or bad – every race has a good measure of each.

• Shall we ban people for life when they make such remarks?

The comments made by Sterling were private and lead by jealousy which is a very low vibratory emotion. I think he needs to be made aware about his hurtful comments and given a chance to redeem: take responsibility, ask for forgiveness, commit to changing this attitude forever and do something tangible to show this new life path. This could include going to therapy, making a public comment, or taking a class on race, making a significant contribution to a nonprofit organization like TKF (HERE) promoting one human race for our youth… or all of the above.

• Does punishment ever work for redemption and the evolution of a community?

His redemption can go a long way in setting an example. No, banning him forever does not help society. I have always maintained that in every crime there is an opportunity to better society. So right here there is an opportunity to heal racism and create better values around this malaise in our society. That opportunity exists and should be fully investigated and realized.

No matter what, at the end of the day, let us promote the concept that we are one human race. Let us remember that everyone regardless of color, religion, creed or other “ism” deserves to be understood, respected and treated with kindness. That will build a civil society, here and now, and be a good example for the rest of the world for generations to come!