Posted by Shes_InItForTheMoney on September 25, 2011, at 12:57:32
In reply to PartlyCloudy speaks up, posted by PartlyCloudy on December 27, 2010, at 11:48:33
Thank you for sharing your family's painful story.
I want to share a bit of my extended family's story
because it is one of reconciliation and a good reason to have Faith amid racism.My sister is Roman Catholic, and my brother-in-law, her husband, is a Polish Yiddish Jew. His (my brother-in-law we will call "B") parents spent time at Dachau, and his Dad died just after he was born here in Canada from injuries he sustained from the Camp. His Mom had a little bit of money she and her husband previously had made working 3 jobs. The owner of the building they where living in started up a little variety store, which B's Mom worked feverishly in. She eventually had enough money for a down payment on the store when the owner wanted to retire. "B" and his brother worked in the variety store also, and their Mom helped save up enough money to put the boys through college.
Now, they had it very tough when they first moved to Canada and Toronto at the end of WWII. Anti-semitism was widespread. But, the boys kept their Faith through college. "B" went on to be a very successful office salesperson, and his brother in broadcasting. "B" was my sister's highschool sweetheart, and very much a part of my family history. I learn't about racism at a very young age, as my Mom was very well educated and my Dad had sailed the world in the Navy. They gave me part of my moral compass, and "B" went on to become like a best-friend to me. He told me his family stories, and I became one of the most vocal anti-racists imaginable. This was really intensified when I went to University.
But the amazing thing is how "graceful" "B"'s Mom is, despite living through so much hate and fear. She say's that the fear never really leaves her. But she feels the only 'shield' against racism is love and positive regard. So many people of different types, including homosexuals, Gypsies, Christians, communists, capitalists, where targeted in both the USSR and Nazi Germany. Around 20 million people where also killed in the Great Purges. That is about the size of a small country.
Just a couple of main points, and that is discrimination on any part is blatantly wrong. And incredible and resilient people can come out of such terror, and become even greater people. And racism is still widespread. Look on how horribly Canada treats it's Native people, and the terrible and horrific treatment of African-Americans. I'd like to think my signature says it all.
Peace,
Jay
"Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic and we'll change the world," ~Jack Layton 1950-2011
poster:Shes_InItForTheMoney
thread:974872
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20101230/msgs/997830.html