The Civil Rights Act may have been passed in 1964 (Thank you, JFK and LBJ!), but racial discrimination is still a fact of life in America.
A skirmish to end yet another bastion of segregation is going on right now in Atlanta, GA -- led by a Racine native, Michael Bjelajac (pronounced "Bee Logic.") Born and raised in Racine -- his father, Atty. John Bjelajac, still lives here -- the younger Bjelajac is a police officer for the city of Atlanta.
It is in his role as the head of an Atlanta Masonic Chapter that Michael Bjelajac is fighting racism. His Gate City Lodge No. 2 chapter, with roots going back to the 1880s, just did the unthinkable (for Georgia): it admitted a black person into its membership, the first time that has happened in the history of the state.
And all hell broke loose: the Grand Lodge of Georgia Free and Accepted Masons wants to dissolve the 190-member chapter and expel Bjelajac from membership; he in turn has gone to court to prevent that from happening.
You can read all about in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. And the Associated Press.
Michael's father tells us: "Michael`s mother (Carrie Payne, of Mount Pleasant) and I are very proud of him."
His parents have a right to be proud. He did not stick his head in the sand but stood by his pincipals.
ReplyDeleteHe can hold his head high. We all need to stand by our principals. We need to stand up for ourselves and others.
ReplyDeleteThis kid might win the battle, but lose the war. I give him credit for standing up like this, but long-term I think he is making a huge mistake! The Masons are a different kind of group.
ReplyDeleteRace discrimination is never going to go away. You can pass all the laws you want to, but you can't dictate what people think.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that ticks me off is that it's OK for blacks to have any kind of organization they want and keep it exclusively black with not a word of discrimination being levied against them by anyone. But, let a white organization try to remain exclusive and suddenly they are attacked from every angle by every black organization, group and attorney on the planet. Then again, why would anyone want to force their way into an organization that they know is just going to hate them for doing so?
Just try and have the American Caucasian College Fund or Miss White America Beauty Pageant and see what happens. And why is it that it's only the blacks that raise hell when a white organization tries to remain exclusive? Why don't we hear about Orientals or Latinos or Native Americans complaining about such things. It's always the blacks that stir up racial trouble. I ought to know, I'm black. And I have never met anyone ever in my whole life that is more racist than blacks. Most of our children are brought up from birth to hate "whitey".
Oh yes, and the term "African-American" is an outright racist term. I consider myself 2 things: a black man and an American. I didn't come here from Africa and the U.S. doesn't allow dual citizenship. And if you go back far enough everyone in this country that isn't of Native American descent could be considered a (something)-American. It's just stupid. Be a man (or a woman), be an American, and flock with your own feather instead of stirring up trouble for others.
Anon 12:02 just recited the Fox News doctrine. The divisive nature of his comment create the need for laws that mandate equality. Let us not forget what it took for blacks to even use the same bathroom or drink out of the same water fountain as whites. I applaud everyone who fights discrimination of all kinds, it is a battle worth fighting
ReplyDeleteAnon 12:02 just recited the Fox News doctrine. The divisive nature of his comment create the need for laws that mandate equality. Let us not forget what it took for blacks to even use the same bathroom or drink out of the same water fountain as whites. I applaud everyone who fights discrimination of all kinds, it is a battle worth fighting
ReplyDeleteSorry for the double post and I was commenting on Bill M. post.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous 12:02:
ReplyDeleteYou gave the impression that African Americans are the only racial/ethnic group in the U.S. that has organizations geared for their specific subculture.
I would like to point out that, right here in Wisconsin, we have the Italian American Club, Roma Lodge, the German club, the German-American Society of Milwaukee, th Madison Polish Heritage Club, the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin...the list goes on. These clubs and organizations are built on the concept of celebrating and continuing cultural heritage and traditions.
African American organizations are really just one drop of the bucket in the world of cultural organizations.
On another note...the Masons were not based on a specific culture or ethnic group. Members of the Masons come from a variety of backgrounds. This is not a group designed to celebrate a specific heritage. Many other states already have (and have had for some time) black members.
Based on the information available, there is absolutely no other reason than racism that this group would choose to exclude potential black members or punish those who include them.
Pardon me, that above post should be for "Bill M., 12:02".
ReplyDeleteAnd, on another note, I have serious doubts that you, Mr. Bill M. are black. The language that you use is antiquated, and typically used only in the white community that is unfamiliar with black culture. For example, no one says "whitey" anymore. In addition, you constantly refer to black individuals as "they". If you were truly black, it is more likely that you would say "we", since you would be included in that group. So, either you don't consider yourself a part of black culture, or you aren't black at all. I'm betting on the latter.
Bill M. is a racist regardless of whether he is black or white and I also doubt that he is black. The fact that any group would deny membership because of race is just plain wrong. The only thing I would agree on is we are all Americans, regardless of race, whether we are African American, Italian American or whatever is not important as long as we treat each other equally.
ReplyDeleteGoing back to the original story, the Racine native is right for standing his ground. Everytime an individual or a group tries to oppress another, it can cause hurt for many generations. Every person has the ability to end discrimination or continue it. There is no reason for racism to continue if you live with an open heart.
ReplyDeleteIt's their group and if they don't want blacks or other minorities to join - so be it. Leave them alone and join some other club that accepts blacks. Since when do private groups need to bend over backwards or go against their own beliefs to accept some other person's?
ReplyDeleteBjelajac - get it through your thick head - they don't want you or your black nominee. Move on! Go join the NAACP if you want to be with blacks.
Why does Mayor Dickert keep silent on the out of control crime and violence that plagues our city?
ReplyDeleteGinaB:
ReplyDeleteYou always TRY to sound intelligent in these posts while in fact you sound ignorant as can be.
Just thought you should know.
Annon 6:58 is that the best you can do? Where is Gina B. wrong? and why?
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am not racist and don't agree with excluding people based on race, Bill does make a point that so many minority groups can form without an issue, but white-only groups are targeted as racist. Minorities can't have their cake and eat it too. If these groups just want "equality" then whites should be equally as able to form their own groups.
ReplyDeleteThere is a huge difference between groups formed on the basis of race, and groups formed on the basis of ethnicity -- neither of which the Masons are.
ReplyDelete