One Solution to Our Nation’s Problems

What’s Next? One Solution

I promised you an essay from our Sister Grannies meeting last Monday. You may recall, since I’ve talked about the group many times, that we meet monthly. We choose a topic each month and then write about it for the next meeting. We read our essays to each other and discuss. When we were meeting in person we talked over wine, hors d’oeuvres, and dinner.

Our June topic was “This is Difficult,” or something like that. We regard our topics as suggestions but not prescriptions!

Judy wrote, “What’s Next.” She had our complete attention with the first sentence. She said,

“I believe it’s time for a radical rethinking of our future. I propose that California secede from the US and become a haven for black United States citizens. The new country will guarantee equitable access to education, jobs, health care and housing, and freedom from outright abuse (killing of unarmed black men) and freedom from microaggressions such as being followed around in expensive women’s clothing stores or being complimented on your ability to speak “good” English.

“California has several advantages, the first of which is its extensive sea coast, visually appealing, agriculturally productive, a reliable escape route. Eventually an earthquake will sunder the state from its existing eastern borders – an island nation has obvious geographic advantages. Neither the U.S. or California would regret that separation. Except perhaps for NYC, the rest of the U.S. thinks California is far too progressive. They just started a fund that will provide health care for illegal immigrants during the virus pandemic. Imagine the humanity!

“California will not be a segregated country per se. Those whites who already live there will have to take an Anti-racist test in order to remain; those who want to come in, white or black, will have to take the same test. It will be Pass / Fail so that getting a 90% for you overachievers will make you no better off than someone who gets a 70%.

“I expect, however, that out-migration from the country of California will exceed in-migration since whites will fear the decline of their property values – you know how black people can ruin the neighborhood.”

Despite the seriousness of the topic and her powerful references to current events, she had us laughing!

I’ve just given you a small portion. You can read her whole essay here.

I don’t have Judy’s facility with language. My essay which I’ll share next time was more somber. I referred to Trevor Noah and quoted a deep and thoughtful talk he gave. Two other recent writer’s or speaker’s remarks are quoted in my essay, with links to their words.

Are you writing about the deaths of black people at the hands of police, the protests, and the police reaction? Discussing with your friends? Do you think we will be able to make critical changes to our policies? Should we?

What to Do?

Last night I was a panelist at an event presented by the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism in Westport, CT. They are meeting virtually now, but pre-Covid were meeting in our Unitarian Church. My friend Barbara is their program chair.

She is also a member of our Sister Grannies. So she heard our essays on Monday night. Ellie is also one of our Sister Grannies. She and her husband adopted a mixed-race baby in the 1970s and faced family unhappiness and other censure for their act. Judy is black, and as you know my husband was black, from Nigeria.

The day after our meeting she asked the three of us if we would be on the panel for their program, “Addressing Racism.” Jessica Wolf, a member of their congregation, would be the moderator. She suggested we each speak for about 5 minutes relating our personal experiences or those of our families with racism. So that’s what we did. Then Jessica moderated comments and questions.

There were about 35 people present. My daughter and Barbara’s daughter also joined. There were plenty of comments and points of view, though everyone supported the need for change. Some found it a little hard to accept having privilege because they are white.

One person mentioned not seeing color. Judy responded right away. “If you don’t see my color, then you don’t see me!”

Another thought more interaction and conversation on the topic with black people would help. Judy and my daughter pointed out that black people are really tired of being asked to help white people understand their privilege and their responsibility.

The group agreed that there is need for more dialogue among themselves. They also want information.

I sent the notice about the TEAM Westport book group that I mentioned last time. In cooperation with the Westport Library, TEAM is holding a discussion about Ibram X. Kendi’s How to be An Antiracist. That’s Monday night. You can join in from anywhere so feel free to take part!

I also sent along this list that came from a friend. It’s three years old but says it’s regularly updated.