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The Peace Center continued its series, Community Dialogue on Race, as part of its 35th anniversary campaign, Speak Up for Peace on Sept. 15.
Thirty people gathered at the Newtown Friends Meeting as a follow-up to July’s dialogue and peace vigil, which centered around the fatal shootings of young African Americans by some police across the nation.
NFL player Colin Kaepernick, is choosing a silent protest of the treatment of people of color by not standing during the National Anthem. His action has caused both positive and negative reaction and catapulted the issue of racism into the nation’s attention.
At the second Community Dialogue on Race, participants were asked, “What are your feelings about his form of protest? Is he achieving his goal?”
Barbara Simmons, executive director of The Peace Center and co-facilitator of the dialogue, said, “This is work that has to be done now. There are many questions we have that we could propose to the group gathered for the Dialogue on Race, but we chose this specific question because it is a timely one.
“It is being discussed on CNN and sports shows – and it is a ‘hot-button issue’ for many,” she said.
Simmons added, “There are layers to this action: There is the issue of respect for a long-held tradition of standing for the National Anthem prior to all sporting events. There is the issue of the history of the anthem, which was written by Francis Scott Key, who was a slave holder. There is the issue of race. If Colin were Caucasian, would there be such an upset? There is the issue of what type of protest can call attention injustice of people of color.
‘What type of protest do people feel comfortable with?” she continued. “It seems protest is about being uncomfortable — otherwise, we would not pay attention to it,” she said.
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Simmons said the Community Dialogue on Race “was a good discussion with wide-ranging opinions, but the bottom line is that there was agreement that protest of any sort can be uncomfortable but yet it is necessary to create change. Through listening to one another, we showed respect for one another — and realizing that respect is at the heart of working towards change.”
Meanwhile, Gayle Evans, co-facilitator of the dialogue and a peace educator for The Peace Center, summarized the dialogue.
“As a group, we engaged in a very rich and meaningful conversation surrounding the actions of Colin Kaepernick and his chosen form of protest against racial oppression and inequality,” she said. “It was evident from the discussion that we do not collectively agree with his form of protest, but do agree that racism exists and is in present in many forms in our communities.
“Some believe that his protest has been lost in his actions,” she said. “I am hopeful that many who attended left with a desire to stand up and speak up when a wrong is committed. It takes hard work, personal responsibility and respect for ourselves and our differences to bring about change.
During the event, discussion groups were formed with three to a group. After the individual groups met, the whole group gathered together.
Dave Adams said, “I don’t agree with him, but I’ll fight to the death for his right to do it. I fly a flag in front of my house every day. I also fly a flag honoring all the armed services. I don’t agree with him, but he has the right to do it and I’ll fight for that.”
He continued, “The fact is they have a racial problem in this country. Sooner or later we’re going to have to fess up to it one way or another. “
Adams, who is African American, said, “If something isn’t done soon, there will be a race war in this country.”
Joe Marini of Solebury Township, volunteered to serve in the military. “I’m personally offended because many men have died for this county and I am personally offended that this is the forum that he has chosen to show his point of view and to gain national attention,” he said. “I do respect that he has a message he wants to get out and it’s a good message. I just disagree with the way that he is doing it.
Dennise Veasley, coordinator of Compassion Develops Communities, which co-sponsored the event with The Peace Center, said, “It’s hate rather than race. What can you do to change it? What can we change with what we do every day?”
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Someone described the presidential election campaign as being “based on fear mongering. It’s a horrible dynamic. It’s awful. It’s gaining momentum.”
Veasley said, “It’s not so nice and unreal. My people have been oppressed. That’s real. What’s going to change? Will it change in my lifetime? We don’t want to talk about racism….
“Hurt people hurt people — we know that, but that doesn’t give a person the right to shoot a kid in his back because you’re hurt,” she said.
The next Community Dialogue on Race is set for Monday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at St. Mark AME Zion Church, 136 N. Congress St., Newtown Borough.
For more information visit thepeacecenter.org or call 215-750-7220.
