Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America by Michael Eric Dyson

I was born and raised in a small town in Indiana. My parents weren’t well off, but we always had enough to eat. My mother made my clothes, and we were able to afford one new pair of shoes for me each year. I was never around people of color or exposed to any other religion other than Christianity. I never knew much about the world around me until I grew a little older and began to read about other cultures and lands.

I was privileged, but I didn’t know what those words meant at the time. When I was stopped by police officers in Princes’ Lakes for circling around the liquor store one too many times (sorry Mom and Dad), it never once occurred to me to be afraid. When I reached for my license and registration, I had no fear that I would have a gun pointed at me or that I might possibly die from that encounter.

As I have gotten older, I see white privilege everywhere I look. If you get upset when you hear the words “Black Lives Matter” or you say you are going to boycott sports when professional athletes kneel during the national anthem, then read this book. Listen to the words of Rev. Dyson. Think about what message he is giving in his “sermon.” Step out of your whiteness and listen to the cries of our country’s people. For our country’s sake, BE UNCOMFORTABLE.

The book Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America chose me to read its pages. I knew when I saw the cover that I was going to read this book. I had to put the book down several times as the words on the pages drove home points that made me uncomfortable, yet forced me to face what I needed to hear. The slogan for our current administration (and believe me, that topic is for another time), was “Make America Great Again.” “It sounded the call to white America to return to simpler, better days.” I ask, better days for whom? The racial divide in this country is stronger than it has been since the 60s. Our current leadership has empowered racists.

I have had people tell me that we no longer have a race issue in this country. I have had people tell me that racism only exists in the South. As I was giving directions a couple of weeks ago, a person answered me by saying, “Yes, Masta.” I am ashamed that I didn’t have a good response for that comment. I didn’t respond at all. Slavery is not something that is funny, or something to make light of. Slavery is a blight on our nation’s history.

Three months ago as I was waiting in the preTSA line at the Indianapolis airport, I witnessed a black man singled out and searched for no obvious reason. He walked through the machine and no alarm sounded. I walked through the same machine, and an alarm sounded because of my belt. He was detained. I was not. I stood there feeling helpless because I did not know how to combat this. What made this incident even worse? The white woman who loudly complained and made derogatory comments because she had to wait a few extra minutes in line. Again, my wit failed me as I didn’t have the words to combat this rude behavior.

Before I close, here are some things to think about as you are waitng for this book to arrive. (Find it at your public library, at your local bookstore, or online.) Refusing to frequent businesses owned and operated by people from other cultures and races is wrong. It is also wrong to call people “towel-heads, wetbacks, the n-word, and all of the other horribly derogatory comments. We are told to love one another. “A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35. We are all brothers and sisters. It’s time we start acting like it.

The Bourbon Kings by J. R. Ward

Thank you, Sara, for recommending this series.  If you have been wondering what I have been doing since the new year, well, this is it!  I have had my nose stuck in this series!  I loved it, and even though I have figured out the culprit, so to speak, I still enjoyed this series quite a lot.  

This series is set on the border of Indiana and Kentucky.  I learned a lot about making bourbon and horse racing.  I also loved reading about the Commonwealth and the Ohio River, as well as Lizzie's farm in Indiana.  

This series has some Dynasty and Dallas connections.  There is money, corruption, greed, love, murder, and all of the things that made Dynasty and Dallas huge hits.  You will find the characters realistic and likable, and well as vulnerable.  

If you want to take a break from reality, jump into this series!