We discussed cultural diversity for a while in class tonight. That of course brings up the topic of racial reconciliation.
I've sat through lots of discussions on this issue. They all go pretty much the same. I was surprised tonight though. I heard one new, and very profound thought. It wasn't even about how to solve the problem, just a statement.
Reconciliation, by the meaning of its word assumes that things were once good. That we are reclaiming something. That relationships between races are being restored. The unfortunate truth is that we haven't really ever had good relationships (brass generalization of society, not individuals) between Caucasians and Africans in this country. We aren't trying to reconcile something, we are instead trying to forge ahead into a new kind of living. A kind of redeemed (much different than reconciled) relationship.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
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2 comments:
That is an interesting thought. I guess when I have ever heard or been a part of such a discussion it has always been combined with a certain understanding of God in some way. With that, I have always assumed reconciliation was also claiming with it restoration of the relationship between God and man (and woman) as well as with each other.
Interesting thought, but that particular use of the word is not the most common or consistent definition of reconcilation. Most dictionaries define reconciliation in terms of coming to agreement, making compatible or consistent, bringing oneself to accept, winning over, accomodating, and creating harmony.
While a reestablishment of a once good relationships is one definition of reconciliation, it is less used and less cited than the others noted above. With respect to reconciliation efforts in society today, by definition the intent is to find that place of consistent compatibility or harmony. I don't think those who are trying to promote racial reconciliation today are living in a delusion that once upon a time we all got along on this earth.
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