The topic for this month’s salon is Racism.
Most people agree that racism is a bad thing. Even most racists refuse to admit it. Then why does it exist? Some say it’s innate. Original Sin. Some say it has to be taught. Some blame tribalism. Henry Louis Gates says it’s economics:
I think that the roots of racism have always been economic, and I think people are desperate and scared. And when you’re desperate and scared you scapegoat people. It exacerbates latent tendencies toward – well, toward racism or homophobia or anti-Semitism.
– Henry Louis Gates
Martin Luther King, Jr refused to believe that it was inevitable:
I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
Join us to listen to what others think and to share what you think. The Religious Exploration Salon is a group that meets 3rd Sundays to discuss various topics in the format called Bohm Dialogue.
For more details about how Dialogue works, please see our January article.
Everyone is welcome. You are welcome to think about the topic beforehand but no preparation is required or expected — come as you are with whatever thoughts/intuitions you have, ready to listen, learn and contribute. We meet Sunday Feb. 28th at 7pm in the Brackett Room.
Contact Paul Reising, Tom Yelton or Jan Hardenbergh for more information.