“There are no race problems; there are only people problems,” begins an article entitled “Truth in Black and White” from “The Voices of Unity” a radio broadcast by Eric Butterworth dated May 9, 1973, about 47 years ago.
The lengthy article, sent to me by my brother, F.E. Alexander Jr., has been a favorite of mine which I have used through the years to provoke thought and conversation during speeches and at E-Racism meetings. During one meeting in particular, I recall the concept provoking strong opposition from the very onset. I nevertheless, in reading and rereading the article, still concur with Mr. Butterworth’s logic.
Through centuries of collective effort, supported by Supreme Court decisions and revision of many state and local laws which address “racial problems,” it should be apparent by now that the real problem is a “people problem”-as the transformation of any race or “whole nation ultimately depends on the initiative and change of character of the individuals who compose it,” asserts a statement issued by the Baha’i NSA (National Spiritual Assembly).
Former Roanoke City School Superintendent Frank Tota initiated this City’s enviable Magnet School System through predominately Black schools with the intent of “integration through incentive,” another concept which I highly favor over the forced integration invariably of Black students into all White public schools where they were not welcome by educators, students or parents. Not only were schools who integrated peacefully not rewarded for their meritorious achievement, we have since learned that some were actually threatened with loss of state funding for doing so while those who could initiate riots received inestimable amounts of “Riot Funds.”
The results, generations of trickle-down bitterness that remains imbedded in both Black and White alike who experienced both pre and post desegregation attitudes that constitute the core of “race problems.”
During certain times of each year both Black and White alike make a concerted effort to unite in some particular event to display their good intentions toward one another, after which it’s business (and attitudes) as usual, which both comfortably subscribe to.
Another of Mr. Butterworth’s observances of related people-problems stems from the popular altruistic concept that “I am my brother’s keeper.” In order to be a keeper, someone has to be kept. Not an amiable situation of mutual respect. Whether a brother is fairing well or is in some humiliating need of assistance, you are first your brother’s “sibling!”
As there are no problems that do not have spiritual solutions, perhaps we can each best contribute toward solving “race problems” by exercising more concerted effort to evaluate and conscientiously strive to eradicate those attitudes and habits within us, which contribute to people problems.
There can be no doubt that “what the world needs now is Love;” what the world needs now is unity and mutual respect, for this world has now, unquestionably become too small for anything but brotherhood, and far too dangerous for anything but peace.
