People of Color Vignette #4
(no race or ethnic group specified)

We are a day or two into a ten-day spiritual retreat in which there are a significant number of people of color. We sit in a circle for “council” and
pass a “talking-stone.”  We each speak, or not, as we choose.  According to
the form of the council, we do our best to speak from our hearts, from the truth of the moment.  The talking-stone first comes to several people
of color.

One person takes the stone and speaks with enthusiasm about the
diversity in the room.  It is something that many of us have been keenly
aware of, but which no one has yet mentioned aloud, "Hey guys, we're all here.  Look around.  This is incredible."

The stone continues around the room.  Much of what is said is a positive
acknowledgement and celebration of the diversity in the room.  The stone then comes to Cheryl, a white woman who says, as she weeps, "I hadn't even noticed that we were different.  I am not responsible for what my ancestors did."  Then she speaks for some time about the suffering she has experienced in her own life.

Commentary to People of Color Vignette #4

Cheryl was disturbed by people of color acknowledging and celebrating the presence of racial diversity in the room.  She said she didn’t notice.  On the one hand this might be something quite positive.  She sees beyond differences of skin color; we are all human beings.  On the other hand being a a member of a particular race has a huge impact on one’s life.  Ignoring racial differences can be a way of denying this impact.

Cheryl then states that she is not responsible for what her ancestors did.  She reacts to the acknowledgment of racial diversity in the group as though she has been personally accused.  White people often feel afraid when people of color bring up the issue of race or racism.  One fear is that people of color will demand that whites take personal responsibility for all past and present manifestations of racism in this country.  Another fear is that if people of color speak about race, they will become angry and target the whites who are present.  None of what Cheryl might have feared seems to be happening in this situation.

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