Hi Sarah, I'm not sure that many black people hate you for being white... Probably some do, but these days it seems there is almost more self-hating among whites on the left than white hating among blacks. Although I admit to having very little idea about how much actual white hating there is among BIPOC, to use a horrible acronym. I liv…
Hi Sarah, I'm not sure that many black people hate you for being white... Probably some do, but these days it seems there is almost more self-hating among whites on the left than white hating among blacks. Although I admit to having very little idea about how much actual white hating there is among BIPOC, to use a horrible acronym. I live in BC, on the west side of Kelowna, which was largely indiginous until a bridge was built across the lake. It's a little like living in Palestine... the west side was actually called Westbank until it was recently renamed. There is some tension with the local people, but this is Canada, it is almost all passive aggressive. The indiginous people of the "Westbank nation" are one of the wealthiest first nation groups in Canada, due to Kelowna's recent growth. They aren't about to start car bombing anyone. My kids have plenty of indiginous friends, mostly you wouldn't really be able to tell. They aren't particularly "coloured".
To be fair I think these experiences are extremely extremely regional. For example your description of what it’s like for indigenous in Kelowna could not be more different than what it’s like for the Sioux at Pine Ridge. Also I’m not sure if in that area the old tribal hatreds still exist, in much of the US those tribal feelings still exist. I was often warned to avoid certain parts of certain reservations because I was a young white woman, but I mostly brushed that off as some underlying prejudice or other. However when indigenous people started telling me to avoid those areas I thought maybe I ought to listen. Although once I learned more about the tricky relationship between the various tribes I realized that my indigenous friends were likely more prejudiced than my non-indigenous friends. To this day I’m not sure how safe I am in those areas or not.
From a security standpoint it’s also worth keeping in mind that it takes very little spark to go from passive aggressive tension to aggressive violence. Something Sarah and I have to be more cognizant of than you do...
I have this harrowing account in my genealogy research of one of my (female) ancestors being kidnapped by Indians. This would have been on the East coast, in the early days before the American Revolution. I can't imagine...I am trying to find it but need to look a bit more. If I find it I will post it.
There are pretty horrifying stories on both sides from Olive Oatman to Sacagawea and Cynthia Parker to Pocahontas. Realistically such stories are more common historically than uncommon and as it seems a rather intrinsic part of human nature I think it will unfortunately continue to be disconcertingly common.
But I’m a Martyr Made listener, I’m always up for more harrowing stories.
Personally I try to walk a fine line of not judging individuals while also being cognizant of my own physical safety, and when it’s close I err on the side of personal safety. I also take into account the fact that substance use can make individuals less trustworthy and that groups are generally less trustworthy than individuals regardless of who makes up the group.
The fact that I’m a Christian probably helps with this. I’m called to love those who hate me, so even if every “BIPOC” person hates me I’m called to love them. Even if every self loathing white leftist hates me, I’m called to love them. I am responsible for my own heart and own actions, not for the motives or hearts of others. If Corrie ten Boom can forgive the Nazi camp guard who tortured her sister who ultimately died in said camp, I can forgive people for hating me.
Hi Sarah, I'm not sure that many black people hate you for being white... Probably some do, but these days it seems there is almost more self-hating among whites on the left than white hating among blacks. Although I admit to having very little idea about how much actual white hating there is among BIPOC, to use a horrible acronym. I live in BC, on the west side of Kelowna, which was largely indiginous until a bridge was built across the lake. It's a little like living in Palestine... the west side was actually called Westbank until it was recently renamed. There is some tension with the local people, but this is Canada, it is almost all passive aggressive. The indiginous people of the "Westbank nation" are one of the wealthiest first nation groups in Canada, due to Kelowna's recent growth. They aren't about to start car bombing anyone. My kids have plenty of indiginous friends, mostly you wouldn't really be able to tell. They aren't particularly "coloured".
To be fair I think these experiences are extremely extremely regional. For example your description of what it’s like for indigenous in Kelowna could not be more different than what it’s like for the Sioux at Pine Ridge. Also I’m not sure if in that area the old tribal hatreds still exist, in much of the US those tribal feelings still exist. I was often warned to avoid certain parts of certain reservations because I was a young white woman, but I mostly brushed that off as some underlying prejudice or other. However when indigenous people started telling me to avoid those areas I thought maybe I ought to listen. Although once I learned more about the tricky relationship between the various tribes I realized that my indigenous friends were likely more prejudiced than my non-indigenous friends. To this day I’m not sure how safe I am in those areas or not.
From a security standpoint it’s also worth keeping in mind that it takes very little spark to go from passive aggressive tension to aggressive violence. Something Sarah and I have to be more cognizant of than you do...
I have this harrowing account in my genealogy research of one of my (female) ancestors being kidnapped by Indians. This would have been on the East coast, in the early days before the American Revolution. I can't imagine...I am trying to find it but need to look a bit more. If I find it I will post it.
There are pretty horrifying stories on both sides from Olive Oatman to Sacagawea and Cynthia Parker to Pocahontas. Realistically such stories are more common historically than uncommon and as it seems a rather intrinsic part of human nature I think it will unfortunately continue to be disconcertingly common.
But I’m a Martyr Made listener, I’m always up for more harrowing stories.
Personally I try to walk a fine line of not judging individuals while also being cognizant of my own physical safety, and when it’s close I err on the side of personal safety. I also take into account the fact that substance use can make individuals less trustworthy and that groups are generally less trustworthy than individuals regardless of who makes up the group.
The fact that I’m a Christian probably helps with this. I’m called to love those who hate me, so even if every “BIPOC” person hates me I’m called to love them. Even if every self loathing white leftist hates me, I’m called to love them. I am responsible for my own heart and own actions, not for the motives or hearts of others. If Corrie ten Boom can forgive the Nazi camp guard who tortured her sister who ultimately died in said camp, I can forgive people for hating me.
Have you read the Orenda? Definitely worth a read for fans of harrowing stories on all sides. Like Darryl Cooper for example. @DarrlyCooper
I assume you mean the one by Boyden and not by Peer…no I haven’t but it looks interesting, it’s going on my list.
Amen
Thanks for that comment. I hope you’re right.