Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Fri, Mar 04 2005
Short Of The Glory Of God
A writer for sfweekly recently allowed some white supremacists the opportunity to attempt to recruit him into the circle. I'm a little surprised that he got as far as he did. I read an article by someone else who wonders if James Mazzone, who was convicted on drug dealing charges and had been part of Aryan Nations, was some sort of informant against that particular group. I guess it's not always paranoia when they really are after you.
A lot of these ideas and stories will be passed around now that there has been so much speculation surrounding the killings of Judge Joan Lefkow's husband and mother. Splinter groups and individuals who identify with the white supremacist movement have made some comments expressing joy at hearing of the deaths of these two people. That sort of thing doesn't help the reputation of the cause for those of us looking at these types of groups from the outside.
White supremacist groups have been blamed for everything from AIDS to 9-11. I rather doubt they actually hold that much real power. But what they do have the ability to do is appeal to white people who feel they haven't gotten a fair shake in life. A lonely, unsuccessful white person who feels disenfranchised by his or her world is an easy mark for someone who encourages blaming trouble on people who chanced to be born into some other race, ethnicity or religious community.
Some of these groups, though not all, point to the teachings of the Bible as a framework for their message and mission. But the Bible doesn't teach white supremacy. Instead, Bible writers remind us that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God". That levels the playing field pretty plainly for any of us who claim to live by the principles of the the Scriptures.
There have been at least three separate times during my life that I was directly affected by white supremacists. All were horribly negative experiences in which their insecurity manifested itself in flattery and then progressed to bullying. At one point I received unsolicited correspondence that insulted a beloved member of my extended family and indicated that I'd better get smart and wise up to how badly the wool was being pulled over my eyes. If these folks were willing to treat me so badly, knowing me to be what they considered an equal as a white person, how much more hateful might they become with someone whose race or other background they thought beneath their own? And how they could think their petty remarks and bullying would endear me to their cause is still a mystery to me. Their behavior toward me was cult-like and disgusting. If that's the best standard they can muster for white supremacy it might explain why they haven't exactly taken charge of the universe yet.
posted at: 13:48 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
A writer for sfweekly recently allowed some white supremacists the opportunity to attempt to recruit him into the circle. I'm a little surprised that he got as far as he did. I read an article by someone else who wonders if James Mazzone, who was convicted on drug dealing charges and had been part of Aryan Nations, was some sort of informant against that particular group. I guess it's not always paranoia when they really are after you.
A lot of these ideas and stories will be passed around now that there has been so much speculation surrounding the killings of Judge Joan Lefkow's husband and mother. Splinter groups and individuals who identify with the white supremacist movement have made some comments expressing joy at hearing of the deaths of these two people. That sort of thing doesn't help the reputation of the cause for those of us looking at these types of groups from the outside.
White supremacist groups have been blamed for everything from AIDS to 9-11. I rather doubt they actually hold that much real power. But what they do have the ability to do is appeal to white people who feel they haven't gotten a fair shake in life. A lonely, unsuccessful white person who feels disenfranchised by his or her world is an easy mark for someone who encourages blaming trouble on people who chanced to be born into some other race, ethnicity or religious community.
Some of these groups, though not all, point to the teachings of the Bible as a framework for their message and mission. But the Bible doesn't teach white supremacy. Instead, Bible writers remind us that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God". That levels the playing field pretty plainly for any of us who claim to live by the principles of the the Scriptures.
There have been at least three separate times during my life that I was directly affected by white supremacists. All were horribly negative experiences in which their insecurity manifested itself in flattery and then progressed to bullying. At one point I received unsolicited correspondence that insulted a beloved member of my extended family and indicated that I'd better get smart and wise up to how badly the wool was being pulled over my eyes. If these folks were willing to treat me so badly, knowing me to be what they considered an equal as a white person, how much more hateful might they become with someone whose race or other background they thought beneath their own? And how they could think their petty remarks and bullying would endear me to their cause is still a mystery to me. Their behavior toward me was cult-like and disgusting. If that's the best standard they can muster for white supremacy it might explain why they haven't exactly taken charge of the universe yet.
posted at: 13:48 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
