A Day In the Life of a White Civil Rights Activist

 I was recently at a get together for Obama supporters, and one of the women there, a white administrative assistant at a local University, said she felt really insulated where she worked, and wondered if there was really still racism "out there." I assured her there was. And after "discovering" NowPublic yesterday, I realized there might be more people out there who were wondering if racism really does still exist... and that NowPublic might be a venue where I might be able to reach some of them with that truth. Thus, the idea for "A Day in the Life of a White Civil Rights Activist" was born. There will be more than "One Day" of course. This is but the first. It is from a column that I wrote for a Newspaper called THE REPORTER.   What I describe herein is fact. It really happened. It is my story and my reactions to it. If my reactions are "opinion"... then I am sure NowPublic will tell me about it, and label it as such. But they won't be able to deny the bottom line: racism is real. That is NOT opinion.  It is just hidden and brought out to light only when "they" think, "you..." are one of "them."     Welcome to a world you may not believe exists any more.   And watch what you personally say... or write. Because it tells the world what is in your heart.

I was in a business place, waiting for my order to be filled. You'll know when it was by reading on.

A TV was on and I was patiently watching it while I waited. Minding my own business and not hurrying anybody. Not suspecting for a second somebody was about to say something incredibly racist.

On the screen was Hillary saying she was not going to give up. This was the day after her loss in North Carolina and close win in Indiana.

So it came as a very big surprise to me when an employee came up with my purchase and said, "Did you hear Hillary dropped out of the race?"

I turned to face him exhilarated at the news but wondering how it could be true since I was just watching her "live" saying she would fight on. I wondered what had he heard that I had not heard? Was it the latest news flash? I said "WHAT?"

"Yeah," the employee said, "She said it (the election) was N-rigged!"

I couldn't believe the guy had said that.

It was so uncalled for. So unnecessary. So... wrong.

I said, "Man, I wish you had not said that!"

I said that to him because every time someone says something like that to me, and it happens more than occasionally, I am immediately placed in a moral dilemma - because when I hear that kind of thing I can't just pretend it didn't happen. Silence is consent. Doing nothing sends the person a message that you agree with what they said.

I was full of anger and rage. I just looked down at the counter and couldn't say anything. The last time I was in a situation like that it almost ended in a fight with me against two men (the doctor's waiting room, which will be "Another Day in the Life...) And I now know I am way too old to be getting into any more fights, for whatever reason... much as I might want to.

I was so disturbed I couldn't even write the check. I wondered what I should do.

The guy saw he had screwed up. He said, "It's just a joke."

I said, "It is NOT a joke to use the N word."

I still didn't look up. Finally I started writing, deciding that the best thing to do was just leave and never come back. At least that would keep "me" out of trouble... maybe even out of jail... or worse, the hospital.

Then the guy made things worse for me. Because then he said, "I'm sorry if I offended you."

This made it worse for me because what do you do when somebody apologizes for something like that. I can't accept an apology on behalf of African Americans for what is in his heart. He has to apologize to THEM, not me. I still didn't know what to do.

So I laid the check on the counter, picked up my bag and walked out. I stopped to get milk on the way home and noticed my left hand, the hand I write with, was literally shaking. I told the store owner if he minded if I just stood there for a moment while I calmed down. He said sure, and didn't ask me why. Even offered me a glass of water.

I'm glad he didn't ask why. Because he may have thought the joke was funny. Then where would I be but in the same situation again.

Now sitting at my desk writing this, because of the apology, I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to let it go. I think that is what Jesus taught.

At any rate, I'm pretty sure the guy is going to think twice before saying what he said again.

He might think it. He probably even will think it again.

But maybe now he will realize that there may be more white people out there than me who don't want to hear that garbage.

And the bad part for him is... he doesn't know who we are. We all look alike to him.

So he'll have to be more careful. Things like that could cost a person their job.

I doubt if many employers would want their employees making comments like that... though I'm sure that there are some that would say, "Good joke, man. To H*** with that guy."

Better than being more careful though... would be if the guy actually had a change of heart... where he wouldn't have the kinds of feelings that he now has... and expresses them through his "jokes."

The Bible says that out of the abundance of your heart, come your words.

I saw where his heart was.

And now you know too...

That there are still people out there like him, that think the long, hard journey for equality for Black Americans... is still just a joke... even in the year 2008.

I'm sure none of this surprises African American readers at all.

But... it might surprise some good people who are white.

I just got jolted out of complacency by that by someone who in an ordinary situation mistakenly thought that because of my skin color... my heart was like his.

It isn't.

Racism is no joke to me.

And it will be no joke to me when Hillary finally does bow out of the Democratic Primary.

I will be exhilarated for real then.

Because it will mean that enough good white people have gotten over racism enough to help Black Americans on their way and on our way to elect a good man to be the next President of the United States... regardless of the color of his skin or the lies told about him.

For even though African Americans are more than ninety percent for Obama... they can't elect him by themselves.

They need the help of white people who know racism in any shape or form or joke... IS NO JOKE.

That's why I'm going to go to the computer right now and make yet another donation to Obama's campaign.

It's all over the news today that Hillary has loaned herself ELEVEN MILLION DOLLARS to buy - I mean win this Democratic primary... and is still losing - whereas Obama is getting more money than her from millions of little people like me and you... giving a little at a time. Like the woman in the Bible who threw in all she could, even though it was almost nothing.

Simply because we believe in him - not as Savior - but as a good man trying to do the right thing for ALL people.

Doesn't it seem to you that Hillary is trying to "buy" the Presidency? Where are all the people sending her $25.00 at a time. They don't seem to exist... or she wouldn't need her own millions.

It seems "her" people want her to win... but not if it takes their money! They must not believe in her too much!

Are you like that? Do you want Obama to win but not willing to do a d*** thing to help him?

I'm not and I hope you are not.

I believe in him enough that I will again put my money where my heart is and where my mouth is... and I strongly urge you to do the same.

If you haven't already given, give now. Don't let Hillary buy the Presidency with her own millions. It shouldn't be able to be bought by millionaires or billionaires or by anybody.

It should be won by a leader who can touch the hearts of the people... like Obama does.

Give and give now. Even if Hillary does drop out... the money you give will still be needed to fight an even richer opponent in the fall... John McCain... who will have hundreds of corporations kicking in millions and millions for him.

Give and give again so that when Obama is elected in November...

The joke will be on those who tell the jokes.

And not on those in America Who truly believe in the words...

With Liberty and Justice for ALL.

Finally, I received an anonymous letter from a woman named "Deb" who said that I and anyone else who votes for Obama is against Christ.

I'll tell you all about it in my next column. In the meantime,

Do whatever you can So that Hillary's money and Deb's ignorance and the jokes of racists... Don't win out in the end. Not this time.

And if you hear someone screaming out loud if Hillary drops out before my next column... It's just me... Overjoyed that sometimes... There is justice in the world.

Sometimes right does win out over wrong.

Sometimes good does win out over evil.

Sometimes the weak do win out over the strong.

And sometimes...

The best person does win.

William D. (Will) Bevis

Gadsden, AL