Bridging the Divide
It’s both a month for love and a month for celebrating the African American experience. February is loaded. It boasts two major cultural events: Valentine’s Day, the day for love, and Black History Month, a time to assess and appreciate Black heritage. It’s ironic that the the love month is paired with the experience of Black Americans, a seeming incongruity in light of the prevailing racial attitudes in our nation. Yet, the two are not mutually exclusive; however, having them both occupying the same space points up the reality that being the recipients of genuine expressions of love hasn’t been a part of the Black experience—here in the U.S.— or anywhere else, for that matter.
Some readers of my latest book Island Hearts, have expressed their enjoyment of the romance in the book. That’s good, but the story also addresses deep-seated prejudice and rejection based on skin color. When racial bias shows up alongside emerging love, as it does in the book, bias, inherently toxic as it is, thwarts love. Since much of the action in Island Hearts takes place in the island of Jamaica, readers may be forgiven if they expect to find happy, carefree people dancing in the streets, giddily bouncing to the “One Love,” that reggae icon Bob Marley proclaimed. And although the words of the island-nation’s motto, “Out of Many One,” may portray a facade of love and acceptance for all, strong racial biases exist there. Much of this negative behavior goes back to the colonial days when the British ruling class in the island despised the underclass because of their perceived inferiority based on their color. Ironically, over time, the mentality that promoted outright prejudice and rejection based on color was adopted by the native-born islanders themselves and remains even to this day, though one wouldn’t find any of this mentioned in the tourist brochures. Island Hearts exposes this existing lack of love, lack of heart, toward those who seem different because of their color.
A couple weeks ago, a copy of my University of Maryland alumni newsletter that came in the mail featured an article about an African American woman, Elaine Johnson Coates, who enrolled as a student in the university at a time when hate, not love, was extended to anyone of color who tried to enter the institution. For Elaine Johnson, the path she trod was stony indeed. She suffered mentally and emotionally, mainly in the dorm where she experienced isolation, verbal attacks, and racial slurs. She recalls that a professor graded her papers more harshly than those of her white classmates so that the same answers received an A for them but a C for her. Elaine Johnson stuck it out for 4 years, pursued her studies in business education, and became “the university’s first black female to earn an undergraduate degree.”
In September 2022, Elaine Johnson Coates returned to the university to be honored at the official opening of a residence hall named in her honor. How fitting, since most of the grief she endured on the campus took place in the dormitory. Such an ending to her story shows that love can triumph over the hate that has accompanied the black experience over the years.
The love month prompts us to do the right thing, to treat all people as equals without consideration of color or ethnicity. All are children of God made in His image. In this regard, the words of St. Francis of Asisi are instructive: “Where there is hatred, let me sow love/where there is injury, pardon.” With love and forgiveness we can bridge the divide, loving as Jesus does, without barriers, without discrimination. Our Lord’s words point the way: “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love one to another” (John 13:35). Color and race don’t enter into the mix when we love as He loves.
Blessings,
Judith
THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT
TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
8 Comments
Fartema M Fagin
This blog message, ‘Bridging the Divide’, comes at a critical time of ‘bridge building’ we must ALL do in the name of Love.
Love and forgiveness are both spiritually, powerful ‘tools’ for survival as we navigate this global changing ‘climate’ of media rhetoric regarding biases we are subjected to on a daily basis. Lyrics from a gospel song, ‘I’m going to lay down my burdens’ comes to my mind. When? Where?
Thanks for sharing the story of Elaine Johnson Coates. Also, thanks for the ‘nuggets’ from your book, ‘Island Hearts’.
‘Redeemed, Redeemed’, is another song that I hear ‘ringing’ in my ears. Redemption is much needed. This blog is definitely an ‘eye opener’. Keep teaching us!
Judith Nembhard
Hi Fartema, I can feel your heart in your comment. We have to lay bare the truth so that we can see life as it is.
We can’t be afraid, but we must also be positive in the process, as I try to do. I’m so glad we’re willing to try love.
Thanks for a very good comment. JN
Barrington N Wright
Thanks for sharing this Valentine message with your readers. Thanks also for reminding your readers that loving ourselves as Black people is not idolatry.
Judith Nembhard
Hi Barrington,
Yes, nowadays we have many idols, but as you noted, loving ourselves in the right way is not idolatry. Loving ourselves
helps us to love others also. It’s quite clear that those who hurt others because of who they are or what they
look like really don’t love themselves either. They simply project the ugliness within onto others. Good to hear from you. JN
Nanette Schell
Dear Judith,
You have such a way with words I never tire of reading your books and messages.
There is no color between us as we have been dear friends for more than fifty three years,
sharing in family meals, stories about Jamaica and raising our children to love one another.
My family and I have the deepest respect for you and we cherish those long years of friendship.
Yes, I did take note in your book about the prejudice, and know of the pain it has caused not only
the black people, but those of us who have the priviledge of knowing black people and their loving families.
I cannot speak for those who carry it on today I can continue to love each person whatever their
ethnicity., and respect them for who they are.
With love,
Nanette
Judith Nembhard
Hello Nan,
What a generous comment! You have written from your heart. I know you, and can say that you’re genuine.
I hope everyone will read your comment. It says so much that is valuable for these days.
Thank you for your good words I’m always glad to hear from you. JN
R. Mark Ottley MD
Thank you Sr Nembhard for such a pleasant read.
And lets remember, God says in His Word, you can’t love Him and at the same time hate/show pedjudice toward somebody else. That goes for everyone!.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
MLK
Judith Nembhard
Dr. Mark, it’s good to hear from you As you’ve said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness.” How very true! “I am the light of the world,” our Lord said. When He shines His light in the hearts of us humans, things change. Let’s make His light shine through us to help bring about the needed change. Thanks for your good comment. JN