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Looking Inward, Focusing Outward: An Urgent Conversation on Racial Justice

08/02/2020 09:46:25 PM

Aug2

by Beth Kaplan

“God formed Adam out of dust from all over the world: yellow clay, white sand, black loam, and red soil. Therefore, no one can declare to any people that they do not belong here since this soil is not their home,” wrote Yalkut Shimoni some 800 years ago.

More than 70 Temple Beth El members participated virtually in “Looking Inward, Focusing Outward: An Urgent Conversation on Racial Justice” in July. Filled with music from Cantor Jacob Niemi and wise words from Rabbi Jonathan Biatch, Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, Racial Justice Action Team Co-Chair Betsy Abramson, and others, the program provided a much-needed opportunity for congregants to listen, learn, share, and plan next steps.

While we may be familiar with the statistics on racial inequities in every area of life here in Madison, in Wisconsin, and in the United States as a whole, seeing them on our computer screens still shocked and disturbed us. As with many things, the enormity of the challenge ahead felt daunting. Hearing about work done by the Religious Action Center and our Temple community showed us that we had a sturdy foundation to build on. Breaking it down into areas we could focus on, and talking about specific steps and actions we could take as individuals and as a congregation, helped all of us feel as if change could indeed happen.

But first, it was so important to listen, to reflect on our own experiences, and to share those stories with each other.

The first to do so was Martye Griffin, who spoke to us in a video he’d recorded to provide the space for us, as white congregants, to talk honestly, without worrying about being judged. An African American member of Temple Beth El, Martye described how his family always dressed up when they went out, and how he had to wear a tie each time. When he asked his mother why his family had to do this while the white families he saw got to dress casually and comfortably, she told him that because people were going to judge them by the color of their skin, they needed to present a picture that was impossible to criticize. He shared other stories about early school days and about college that echoed stories we’ve heard in the weeks since the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police. His stories showed the care and thought that had to go into every action African Americans take on a daily basis to stay safe.

In the virtual equivalent of sitting at tables together in TBE’s Swarsensky Social Hall, we were all placed in different “Zoom rooms” to talk about our own experiences seeing subtle and not-so-subtle examples of racism and inequality around us, as children and as adults. In my “room,” there were stories about experiences where there was no diversity, or where we were the only white people at community celebrations hosted by African American organizations. We shared memories of conversations with family members expressing racist views, or parroting those views as children and being taught profound lessons by parents who set us straight.

I shared a story that still haunts me, about welcoming back my third grade teacher, who was probably the only African American teacher in all of East Brunswick, New Jersey, after a short absence. We adored Mr. O’Kelly, and without him I’d probably never have become an expert on multiplication, one of the few math skills I possess. “Welcome back Aunt Jemima!” I shouted. Mr. O’Kelly looked at me, and quietly asked me why I had said that, why I had called him Aunt Jemima. I remember freezing, knowing I’d said something very wrong, but not being sure what. He gently moved on, but the day General Mills announced recently that they were retiring Aunt Jemima for good, I wished I could write him a note apologizing, more than 50 years later.

From our stories, we moved on to steps we wanted to take going forward. Many in my group were passionate about doing all we could to stop potential voter suppression in the fall elections. Others suggested that as a congregation, we join our community’s African American organizations, faith groups, and others at their life-cycle celebrations, and form coalitions with them to build meaningful relationships. All agreed that we needed to listen hard—and keep listening—to our African American neighbors, and to let those conversations guide us forward.

“It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it,” said Rabbi Tarfon. These sessions confirmed that there is much work to do, and a great passion not to neglect that work, no matter the challenges ahead.

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The Social Action Committee plans to continue this discussion at our meeting on August 6. One of the clear messages from these conversations is that people are ready to get involved and make a difference. A Zoom invitation will be sent to the Social Action Committee and to those who participated in our racial justice conversations in July. Please contact Aleeza Hoffertif you want to be added to the list.

May 2, 2025 4 Iyar 5785