
"The issue today is not love over hate, as it was during the civil rights movement of the 1960's. In many ways, some could say that Dr. King had it better, in the sense that individuals let him know precisely where they stood; making it plain that they loved and backed him, or they hated and rejected him. ...Today, increasingly, people do not care enough about you to hate you. I call this radical indifference. When someone does not care enought about you, to hate you."
A few years back, a young black man approached me, knowing that I had a minor relationship with the late and former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, saying "hey John, that man -- former President Reagan -- he was a racist man...." I had to reject what this young man had to say, while embracing the young man and his pain, and understandable frustrations. To this man, President Reagan didn't care about him and his plight, and thus, he simply 'must be' a racist. I had a different take on the problem. I also saw a possible opportunity within this same problem, and decided to try to enroll this young man up in my vision, for what 'could be.'
I explained to the young man that I knew then President Reagan, though admittedly not that well. Enough to say I respectd him. I was a young man myself, like the one I was speaking with, when I was acquainted with this Administration. I explained that Reagan and I were actually born on the same day, and as such, I especially appreciated his ability to inspire, even while many listening to him might actually disagree with what he was talking 'about.'
I went on to say that I thought that then President Reagan was basicallty 'a nice man.' I don't think that anyone becomes President of the United States of America, wakes up the next morning and then says to himself, "now, how can I screw up America and hurt her people?" They may screw up, and they may make incredibly damaging decisions and mistakes, but we have to beleive that they do basically mean well. If we don't, if we stop trusting the basic intent of our national leaders, then well all bets are off anyway.
I went on to explain that I was not at all crazy about most of Reagan's social policy framework for the least of these God's children (and there was no real economic policy framework to even be insulted by). I explained that in most cases I simply respectfully disagreed with the Administration. I learned long ago from my pastor, friend and spiritual father, Reverend Dr. Cecil "Chip" Murray, "you can disagree, without being disagreeable."
Operation HOPE Expands Reach to Include Financial Inclusion Meetings Worldwide
Global sessions to culminate this November at the HOPE Global Financial Dignity Summit in Atlanta
LOS ANGELES – August 9, 2012 – Operation HOPE announced today the expansion of Local Financial Dignity & Inclusion Working Group Meetings to include government, community, faith, academia and private sector leaders of underserved communities around the world. Through HOPE’s technology, meetings will be recorded and included in the global Financial Dignity & Inclusion eLibrary to create a solution-based reservoir for financial dignity, financial inclusion and economic empowerment.
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