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BTC speaker says Dr. King didn't have colorblind goal
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| Staff photo by Hillary Wundrow The Seven Springs Native American group kicked off “ A Celebration of Colors” on Saturday at Blackhawk Technical College. Wah-Kay-Bi-Nus or Thunderbird, pictured in the middle, said he was drumming to promote world peace and the fight against racism. |
By Hillary Wundrow
Daily News staff writer
To be colorblind or color conscious was the question. The Rev. James Ivy gave his interpretation of the answer during “A Celebration of Colors.”
Held at Blackhawk Technical College Saturday, the event featured local speakers, honored those committed to civil rights and offered an array of ethnic food.
Rep. Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville, Rep. Chuck Benedict, D-Beloit, Beloit City Manager Larry Arft, Beloit Police Chief Sam Lathrop, Blackhawk Technical College President Eric Larson, GM Plant Manager Gary Malkus, Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager and other officials joined with Stateline residents to celebrate diversity.
After a musical performance by the Seven Springs Native American group and the New Zion Baptist Church Youth Choir, the pastor shared his message of how color awareness is different than racism.
There has been a national debate on whether Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be in support of a colorblind society. Some supporters of a colorblind society have used King's “I Have A Dream” speech as an example.
“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character,” King said on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 28, 1963.
Ivy, however, said the words were taken out of context. King never meant to ignore color, but to be aware of it. In Ivy's opinion, King would never have wanted America to be blind to the history of injustice African Americans have endured in this country.
“America defaulted on its promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Ivy said.
Although the goal of some courtrooms is to erase color, Ivy said it would be impossible to ignore something so strong. Ivy said he isn't offended if people look at him and say ‘that's a black man.'
“We all respond to color - it's part of our psychological makeup,” Ivy said.
The problem isn't being aware of race, but being racist, he said, and the problem won't be solved by blindness, but by vision.
One step in erasing racism is to embrace “agape” love. The Greek word for love helped to inspire King. Unlike romantic or self-serving types of affection, Ivy said “agape” love can help all of humanity.
“It's appreciation for who someone is and not what they do. It's not self-serving, but is a real concern for the welfare of others,” Ivy said.
Such love helped King to see the value in others no matter what color they are.
Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager also promoted awareness. Having recently returned from an eight-day trip to Israel, Lautenschlager said it was important to be aware of whatever tensions or issues are around oneself.
Although a land of rich diversity and holy sites, Israel also is plagued by segregation and suicide bombers.
“Some of the same contradictions and complications that exist there exist here today,” Lautenschlager said.
Lautenschlager cited health care, jobs, the economy, security, the safety of children, civil rights and human rights as examples of challenges facing America today.
“On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we need to do more than pay lip service to the message of Dr. Martin Luther King,” Lautenschlager said. “We need to remember our obligations as citizens.”
During the ceremony, Sheridan and UAW Civil Rights Committee co-chair Shirley Brickson, handed out the Martin Luther King Service Award to Leslie Brunsell and Jose Carillo.
Brunsell has learned Spanish and has organized different groups committed to promoting racial equality.
Carrillo, a 29-year employee of GM and the UAW Civil Rights Committee chairman, also received the award.
“Jose didn't speak English until he came to Janesville,” Sheridan said. “He has three degrees and is self-educated person. Recently he was appointed by Gov. Doyle to the Prison and Labor Advisory Board.
Mike Morris, the 2004 recipient of the YWCA Peace Award, gave the 2005 award to the Rock County Jail Chaplaincy.
The UAW Region 4 Civil Rights Education Scholarship was awarded to Prince Miller of Janesville. Miller will use the $1,000 scholarship to attend University of Wisconsin-Rock County to pursue a degree in physical education.
Held at Blackhawk Technical College Saturday, the event featured local speakers, honored those committed to civil rights and offered an array of ethnic food.
Rep. Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville, Rep. Chuck Benedict, D-Beloit, Beloit City Manager Larry Arft, Beloit Police Chief Sam Lathrop, Blackhawk Technical College President Eric Larson, GM Plant Manager Gary Malkus, Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager and other officials joined with Stateline residents to celebrate diversity.
After a musical performance by the Seven Springs Native American group and the New Zion Baptist Church Youth Choir, the pastor shared his message of how color awareness is different than racism.
There has been a national debate on whether Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be in support of a colorblind society. Some supporters of a colorblind society have used King's “I Have A Dream” speech as an example.
“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character,” King said on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 28, 1963.
Ivy, however, said the words were taken out of context. King never meant to ignore color, but to be aware of it. In Ivy's opinion, King would never have wanted America to be blind to the history of injustice African Americans have endured in this country.
“America defaulted on its promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Ivy said.
Although the goal of some courtrooms is to erase color, Ivy said it would be impossible to ignore something so strong. Ivy said he isn't offended if people look at him and say ‘that's a black man.'
“We all respond to color - it's part of our psychological makeup,” Ivy said.
The problem isn't being aware of race, but being racist, he said, and the problem won't be solved by blindness, but by vision.
One step in erasing racism is to embrace “agape” love. The Greek word for love helped to inspire King. Unlike romantic or self-serving types of affection, Ivy said “agape” love can help all of humanity.
“It's appreciation for who someone is and not what they do. It's not self-serving, but is a real concern for the welfare of others,” Ivy said.
Such love helped King to see the value in others no matter what color they are.
Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager also promoted awareness. Having recently returned from an eight-day trip to Israel, Lautenschlager said it was important to be aware of whatever tensions or issues are around oneself.
Although a land of rich diversity and holy sites, Israel also is plagued by segregation and suicide bombers.
“Some of the same contradictions and complications that exist there exist here today,” Lautenschlager said.
Lautenschlager cited health care, jobs, the economy, security, the safety of children, civil rights and human rights as examples of challenges facing America today.
“On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we need to do more than pay lip service to the message of Dr. Martin Luther King,” Lautenschlager said. “We need to remember our obligations as citizens.”
During the ceremony, Sheridan and UAW Civil Rights Committee co-chair Shirley Brickson, handed out the Martin Luther King Service Award to Leslie Brunsell and Jose Carillo.
Brunsell has learned Spanish and has organized different groups committed to promoting racial equality.
Carrillo, a 29-year employee of GM and the UAW Civil Rights Committee chairman, also received the award.
“Jose didn't speak English until he came to Janesville,” Sheridan said. “He has three degrees and is self-educated person. Recently he was appointed by Gov. Doyle to the Prison and Labor Advisory Board.
Mike Morris, the 2004 recipient of the YWCA Peace Award, gave the 2005 award to the Rock County Jail Chaplaincy.
The UAW Region 4 Civil Rights Education Scholarship was awarded to Prince Miller of Janesville. Miller will use the $1,000 scholarship to attend University of Wisconsin-Rock County to pursue a degree in physical education.
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