By Danielle Riggs
Because of recent experiences in my church community, I have been hungry to learn more about how I interact with different races, J2M has helped to open my eyes and is helping to fulfill this need for me!!
Included in these four intense days of travel were scholarly data-filled presentations, intimate time to process with each other, videos, and personal stories passed on to us by those we encountered on the journey.
I learned the ugly history of expelled Chinese people in Tacoma.
I learned of WWII internment camps for Japanese Americans and their courage as army soldiers during the war.
In the name of God and Manifest Destiny, and with the false use of scripture to rationalize greed, fear, and evil behavior, I was reminded of broken treaties, murder, and betrayal that resulted in the genocide and disintegration of cultures of native peoples in this land.
I learned of the murder and rape of people on reservations that because of jurisdiction issues among the different law enforcement organizations, are never investigated!
I learned that this country would not be what it is today without the economic windfall built on the backs of slave labor.
I learned about current US laws that result in housing inequity, disenfranchised inner cities and of laws that extend the subjugation of people that we brought to this country as slaves.
I learned of the disproportionate imprisonment of any race in this country that is not white.
I learned of Latinos striving to find a home where they will not be starved or tortured. In their determination to survive, many expose themselves to rape, murder, human traffickers and travel north on a train called “the beast”. Those who travel through the Sonoran desert risk dehydration, rattlesnakes, exposure, and death.
I learned of alarming present day stories of black people driving across my own state: Of a female professional, driving alone, tailed by a police car for 7 miles until she arrived at her conference center. Of the professional and his wife who were stared down by a crowd of white people as they drove into a small downtown and of their wise decision not to get out of the car and head home as soon as their meetings were over.
These stories are not isolated, they are numerous, and they are happening today! The racism is common, and the powerful, oppressive laws are many, leaving a playing field that is rocky and treacherous.
I have learned that I must teach my children, my grandchildren, and anyone I can, of the privilege that they do not understand and the inequity that they do not see!
With the help of this new, diverse community of brothers and sisters and above all, with the help of Jesus who is the very word of God, my creator and master of my life, I know that I must, and hope that I will, courageously stand for justice.
I am grateful that I do not do this alone and I thank Whitworth for giving me this opportunity!
