Blessed by Greg's Comment

A few posts ago I opined about a recent media current of dueling black versus white victimhood. One of my examples was this story by one  Greg Harden, as told on the new NPR  omniblog (ok, I just made that term up) system.

At the end, I believe I praised the honesty and candor of these white writers, and I wrote:

What it says is that the starting point in today's race dialog ---or rather serial monologues-- is a struggle to claim victim-hood. Or at least to disclaim the 'other's' victim-hood.

It's hard to say where all this will lead, but the honesty, at least, is promising.

Well, I've been especially blessed by a long comment in response from one writer named Greg. Please see it here, at the bottom of the post.

Greg, I'd love to have a real dialog on this. Not to prove any points, but to share. As I meant to suggest at the end of my original post, any place an honest conversation on this most tender and timely subject starts is a great place, as long as it starts.

And at that start, let me say that your comment reminded me of something that I rarely forgot as a newspaper reporter when interviewing real people in real time: it's just a story in a reporters head, but it often comes from other people's guts. I can't imagine the grief and rage I'd feel if my 10 year old were the victim of ANY kind of violence, but especially racial violence. So please start with my sincere sympathy, no matter the politics or sociology.

Shoot me an e-mail at: leonwynter@leonwynter.com and let's figure it out.

Comments

[Greg]

Leon, im humbled. More than humbled...even a bit ashamed. For worrying that my post would invoke an angry response. For girding my loins for some sort of "blog war." For assuming. Not only do i accept your gracious apology, but I ask that you accept mine as well. Not for what i wrote, but for what I assumed. Its not easy to admit that, but I can only answer your humility and kindness with the same. I would add hypocrisy to my list if i did anything else. I know your intentions were nothing but good. It is my own short comings that cause me to feel the way I feel now. And even though I am ashamed, I feel...incredibly, profoundly...well, to use your term...blessed. I wont get into the details, but ive recently converted to Christianity. And since then, my life has become...a life. Ive worked my way off public assistance. Im making money as an artist. Im supporting my family. I think that reading your first and subsequent posts was just one more way that God has shown me that he is indeed the way and the light. Thank you Leon. (And apologies if that sounds cheesy...but its coming from the heart)