Last night the Sundance program "Iconoclasts" featured Desmond Tutu and Richard Branson - clergyman and entrepreneur - an unusual pairing. They share a belief in the power of individuals to change the world and work to encourage peace as the basis for conflict/problem resolution. They belong to an organization of Elders, (Tutu chairs, Branson helped establish) who meet to discuss, then take action around worldwide conflicts. Jimmy Carter, Marilyn Robinson, Muhammad Yunus are some of the members. Heartening to see the mix - men, women, black, brown, white - of wise people coming together and collectively using their talents and knowledge to bring reason, kindness and calm to difficult situations.
Contrastingly, the story of Henry Louis Gates and Sgt James Crowley in Cambridge MA was in the forefront of the news this week. Misunderstandings, egos, disrespect, and a long history of bad situations led to an unfortunate outcome between these two. Its troubling that this specific situation became a stereotype rather than a unique incident with specific details - a true cause of racism and misunderstanding. The only potentially good thing about the incident is that the issue of racial profiling may find a rational forum for discussion countrywide.
Contrastingly, the story of Henry Louis Gates and Sgt James Crowley in Cambridge MA was in the forefront of the news this week. Misunderstandings, egos, disrespect, and a long history of bad situations led to an unfortunate outcome between these two. Its troubling that this specific situation became a stereotype rather than a unique incident with specific details - a true cause of racism and misunderstanding. The only potentially good thing about the incident is that the issue of racial profiling may find a rational forum for discussion countrywide.
HEY!! I found it!!! I figured out why I couldn't find it...I was searching "Rinda Bond"!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGates vs Crowley......brings back memories of interesting conversations!!!
the whole situation has died down ... there really isn't any coverage over it anymore!!!
ReplyDeletewhat happened?? what did obama say to them??? is the trial/court case still going on?
Well Turner, the two men met at the White House and had a pleasant conversation. Both are intelligent and well meaning and were able to interact in a different way - without the charged environment and misunderstandings of their first contact. Wisdom - on their parts and on Obama's part for arranging the afternoon. Now the two are planning to continue discussions and work together to improve the racial profiling issues they are both trying to eliminate.
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