What White People Can Learn From Black People

Human beings have much to learn from each other. Just think of how many things you've learned from teachers, relatives, friends, co-workers, and yes, even strangers. By observation and interaction we gain a wealth of knowledge and wisdom.

This is true, not only of individuals, but also of groups. For example, members of one political party can learn by observing other political parties; adherents of one religion can learn from interaction with other religions; and one sports team can learn from watching other teams. 

It's no less true when it comes to matters of race. For the past two thousand years it was an unchallenged assumption that so-called 'primitive' and 'backward' people (meaning indigenous people in general, and Black people in particular) could become cultured and sophisticated by adopting the ways of the White man. Isn't that what colonialism was all about? In 2018 more than a few people still feel that way, but other people are beginning to see that maybe the assumption was wrong. Maybe it should have been the other way around.

Are there things that White people can learn from Black people? Yes, indeed. I'm not talking about soul food, music, and athletic ability. I'm referring to things of much greater value - things that will make us a happier, healthier, and more well-adjusted people. Here are just three things that White people can learn from Black people:

1. Spirituality. Generally, Blacks are a much more spiritual people than Whites. Just think about it. You can easily find Blacks who are Christians, Muslims, Jews, etc. - but you can't find a Black atheist with a search warrant. They exist, but they're few and far between. Even Black people who aren't particularly religious usually believe in some kind of Divine Being. In contrast, White atheists are more common than dirt. That's because Black people have an innate connection with the Almighty that White folks can only attain with great effort.
2. Importance of Family. Black people have a very strong sense of family, which is amazing given the fact that slavery attempted to tear the Black family apart, and today's public assistance programs tend to penalize intact families. In contrast, an increasing number of White people are alienated from their families, often by choice.
3. A Willingness to Forgive. Without a doubt, Black people have to be the most forgiving people on earth (no doubt a result of their deep spirituality). I ask my fellow Caucasians (including myself): If our ancestors had been treated the way Blacks were treated, would we be as willing to forgive? If we were treated the way many Black people are treated TODAY - yes, TODAY - would we be as patient as they are, and as willing to forgive, or would we be rioting in the streets and killing our enemies?

The list could go on and on, but these three things alone are sufficient to illustrate my point. White society today is in a state of disintegration. We're falling apart as a people. I believe this is due primarily to the fact that the Creator gave us a span of time to make our mark on this earth, and now that time is up. But it's also due to a false sense of superiority on our part. A little humility - the willingness to admit that Black people have a lot to teach us - could go a long way toward making us a better people. I hope and pray that we'll give it a try . . . before it's too late.