Reply #146: It's not racist. [View All]

Many years ago I was in Charleston SC for a conference on historic preservation and there was a group there to discuss minority issues in Hist. Pres. in SC. I was interested in hearing about their issues and wanted to attend. I went to the meeting room and before long I could tell there was a little bit of a stir. I was surprised at first that it had to do with my being there and my white entitlement subconscious was trying to override but as they asked me why I wanted to be there I told them I was interested in listening and learning and after a brief discussion, they let me stay. I'm happy I got to stay because I got to hear things I would not have heard in VA about issues I didn't have a window on but was interested and concerned about. I am also happy they had that discussion even though I was present. I also have a much better understanding now that it was an important forum--important enough to protect its sanctity so that the needed discussions could take place. In this instance, they balanced that sanctity with their discomfort at excluding an individual (and one of no account). I do understand the need for sanctuary for discussion of shared concerns and setting goals and agreeing on agendas. THEN, you go out and try to work with everybody.