Invitation sets up version of ‘Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner’
An invitation sets up Parker-Edelstein version of ‘Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner’
Hamilton Twp. Mayor Jeff Martin recalled an interesting part of his life while speaking at his city’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration.
Faith Baptist Church hosted the event which honored James Stevenson the first African American voted into a leadership position. Stevenson won a seat on the Hamilton Twp. Board of Education and his excellence in life achievements gained a Spirit of Community Service Award honor while students Ciera Diggs (Nottingham) and Samantha Badilla (Hamilton High West) gained college scholarship awards.
Mayor Martin recalled visits to Stevenson’s home where they discussed education and other issues pertaining to youth. His revelation about the visits cultivated a question about crossracial interactions in a nation which boasts about integration despite the searing fact that segregation remains king.
So, here’s the question for everyone. How many times have you been in the home of someone from a different ethnic race? Mind you, this visit must not align with a death, funeral or going home service. Attending a repast ranks significantly different than being with someone while they still breathe.
Or, here’s part II. How many times has a person from a different ethnic race been in your home? Same rules apply as the initial question. Something tells me we need only Fugitive Dr. Richard Kimble’s one-armed wife killer for this assignment.
Ok. One more question. How many times have you shared a meal with someone from a different ethnic race not affiliated with a church activity? When your child celebrates a birthday does the invitation list resemble the United Nations even a smidgeon or look more like a KKK or Black Panther rally? Weddings? Bat Mitzvahs?
We may need only a two-toed sloth for this inquiry. Yet, United States citizens boast about our large melting potted society or grand mosaic. It’s the lie that we keep telling ourselves until it’s considered truth. These deceptions disallow any real improvement as fiction offers a false narrative.
As white supremacists prepare for a march in Virginia without any condemnation from our fearless President Donald Trump or many other leaders; and as another Jewish brother or sister dies from a hate-filled assailant who may or may not look like me; and as Latinos and African Americans are forced to spend their lifetimes fighting for inalienable rights; this country can never, will never achieve any modicum of greatness.
Any edict to Make America Great Again misses a serious point that this supposedly indivisible nation living under God and offering liberty and justice for all, has not lived up to the ginormous endeavors established by forefathers, they themselves as slave owners in violation of moral codes.
Sure, tremendous stories exist about people who rose against all odds. And, yes, these United States from California to the Gulf Stream waters, offers opportunity and an alleged land made for you and us. Still, more than 50 years after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s death, hatred, fear, inequality and poverty push back hard against the dream espoused by our great civil rights and religious leader.
This country with such greatness potential faces supreme struggle until we embrace equality, until we open our hearts and houses. Mind you, an expansion of anyone’s life circle comes with risks. White people embracing blacks run the risk of being called a Nword lover. Black people who reach out to whites may suffer an Uncle Tom label. Latinos? Jews? Indians? Asians? Everyone’s susceptible to critical rhetoric that stops them in their tracks, halts any actions of integration..
In fact, let’s do this. Jeff Edelstein, a 20-year colleague, said he’s willing and waiting to join me in accepting a dinner invitation from a reader outside of our race. (Wait a minute, Jeff needs an improv.)
“I’m no fool. I’m willing to do it only if I go to a family with good food,” Edelstein offered. All of a sudden this guy turns into Julia Childs.
So, here’s the offer. Send an invitation to Edelstein at jedelstein@trentonian.com or yours truly. We will follow up with reports about the experience.
Let’s not talk about change. Let’s be about it.