Don’t Throw History Away!

This morning I sat down with my morning protein drink and turned on the news. I really wasn’t in the mood to hear the news but I wanted to watch something as I drank this drink that I don’t particularly like. I needed to get my mind off of the taste. Okay, you are asking, “Beverly, if you don’t like the protein drink, why are you drinking it?” The simple answer is, I bought a case of this particular drink and I’m trying to get rid of them by drinking them up instead of throwing them away. I won’t feel as guilty. Am I the only one that does things like that? I hope not.

 

As I went through the television guide, I saw that BookTV was on CSPAN. I have enjoyed watching some of these in the past because I enjoy seeing authors and listening to their stories of why they wrote their particular book. I tuned in just as an author was about to tell his story of “Thursday Night Lights.” This is a book of football history in the state of Texas in the 50’s and 60’s. It deals with black football players. The author was so interesting and easy to listen to. Matter of fact, he smiled the entire time he spoke and you could tell this was his passion.

 

For those that know me well, know that I’m not a huge football fan. I think I understand the game pretty well, though. As a teen, I took my little brother to all of his YMCA Football practices and games. I was at every game possible for both of my little brothers games from junior high through high school. Trust me, that is a lot of games! I loved watching my brothers play. I knew how to pick them out on the field when I couldn’t see their numbers on their jersey. One brother always had one sock that would fall to his ankle. He had skinny legs, so that’s how I would spot him. My other brother had a certain way he stood and shrugged his shoulders. I was always proud of them as I sat and prayed they wouldn’t get hurt and that they would excel at what they loved….football.

 

On Monday nights and Sunday afternoons, my family would go to my aunt and uncles house and everyone would watch the Dallas Cowboys. You haven’t heard anything until you listened to my aunt and my mom yelling and screaming for the Dallas Cowboys. I would laugh myself silly watching them and holding my ears. I can still hear them screaming for Don Meredith and Roger Staubach. My aunt would yell at the top of her lungs, “Don’t you be hurting my Roger!” I wish I had videos of it all.

 

When I met and married my husband, I discovered he was a huge football fan. I knew football games were at the top of our list. Friday night games and of course all the televised games. Who knew there could be so much football going on in the world! Matter of fact, I think I hear football going in his office as I type.

 

All that to say, I understand football pretty well! I guess that is why this author caught my eye. If you love football…especially Texas football and are interested in learning about black history, you might want to get the book. It’s called, Thursday Night Lights by Michael Hurd. I’m not endorsing it as I haven’t read it. I just watched his interview and I liked what I heard.

 

The author spoke about how the black schools in Texas destroyed and just threw away all the records and any memorabilia when schools integrated in the late 60’s. So much history was lost of a great era of education and of course all the memories of great feats in black Texas football. I loved that Mr. Hurd was out to restore a history that needs remembering.

 

As I listened, I couldn’t help but think about the history that is being destroyed before our very eyes due to racism. If you are like me, you might be sick and tired of hearing the word racism. Anytime someone doesn’t agree with another person, they will usually yell, “racist!”   So tiring, don’t you think?

 

I know my history and I do know that racisim was very much alive and very tragic. I also know that it wasn’t limited to just black people. My mom has stories of growing up in a small West Texas town and she worked at a movie theater in the ticket booth. At that time, Hispanics weren’t allowed on the main floor. They had to sit in the balcony. If they came downstairs, they were told to get back upstairs by the manager. I can’t even imagine that, can you?   I can hardly stomach the movies that portray the evilness of racisim. I can’t stand to watch. But, I have watched some historically correct documentaries and movies on the subject, because I want to know and I never want to forget how horrible it was. I wanted my children to know about it as well. We never want that history to repeat itself, so we must know it and know the evilness of it.

 

America isn’t that old and we are still learning and growing. We also can learn from the mistakes that were made. That is why when we destroy our history by tearing down statues and monuments because we don’t want to know about it or hear about it, we are doing a great disservice to ourselves and for the future of our country. Not to mention, we really need to know our history of the times and what actually went on during the time these statues and monuments represent. If you don’t know…..now is the time to start learning.

 

We all know that no one is perfect. We all have things that we wish we wouldn’t have done or said, don’t you think? It seems we hold such a high standard for others when we ourselves don’t hold our own selves to that standard. That is how I feel when I watch the rioters and the destroyers of our monuments. They are practicing the very thing that they are screaming the loudest about.

 

I grew up around Hispanics and Blacks here in West Texas. Yes, I was even bullied by a black girl in jr. high and high school. But, I was also bullied by a white girl and it was so much worse.   I had and still have some great friends who are black and hispanic. I guess I never really think about color so much, but, you and I both know we are all different races. When we start counting and noticing and making note, you might do some checking up on yourself. You are spending way too much time thinking about it. Just accept, love and enjoy the differences in people. Learn from everyone, regardless of color.

 

A couple of years ago, I was told that a Hispanic lady that I knew pretty well, was telling people that I didn’t like Hispanics. I was crushed. First of all I was crushed that someone would think that about me and second, crushed that SHE actually thought this of me and was telling other people.  I think of this incident so many times when I read or hear the stories of what is going on in our country today. Many times, I think those that yell racist the loudest, are actually the true racists. Yes, you and I both know that there are really racists out there.  I’m probably like you and have maybe run into a couple in my lifetime that I would put in that category.  Instead of adding to the problem, let’s learn from the mistakes of others and turn it into something positive. You and I can be the ones that make a difference for the good.  Can’t we?

 

Can we all just realize that we are all created by God and we should learn to appreciate and learn from each other through our differences? Let’s end all the yelling, destruction and name-calling. That’s such a simple solution….maybe it’s too easy!

 

I felt that I needed to share this today  and I know without a doubt that my little blog in the world won’t make a bit of difference. It’s a big world with a lot of loud noises and some people don’t care to hear or think about it. It’s on my mind a lot and it’s a struggle when you so bad want to fix it. I’m a fixer. But, I know I can’t fix it and it will never be a perfect world. I know where I stand and I know what I believe. I don’t care what color we are, we should all stand up for each other and make this world a better place today….not tomorrow….today. How can you make a difference today?

 

It doesn’t matter what age we are or where we are in life….pick up a history book about our founding fathers and the early settlers of our amazing country and study. Keep in mind, it was a different time and not one person is perfect. We have a history of some leaders that loved America and wanted to see it do some amazing things. There are so many great people to learn from…..don’t throw it all away!

Linking with A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

2 Comments

  1. Did you find out you had done to offend your friend and then apologize and fix your behavior?

    I think white people are blind to the racism that is all around them. There is no need to monuments to slavery to be in public places. They can move to museums if people are so afraid they will forget. Take a page from Germany where there are no Nazi statues up.

    1. Hi Heather, Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I did talk with my friend and we did try to work it out. As far as my behavior, I never was told what made this person think that I thought that way. But, thank you for being concerned. When I see racism I know it, I am not blind to it. Maybe museums are a good answer. Too bad some of the statues were destroyed before they could be moved. I’m sure this is an issue that can’t be solved over a comment on a simple blog post. But, if you read my blog post, this comment that you left doesn’t even fit in to what I was saying. Again, thank you for reading and may you experience the true love and grace that only Jesus Christ can give. Blessings!

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