There Are Only White People Here
Saturday, March 14th, 2009
On Friday, my six year old daughter and I went to a Father and Daughter banquet, hosted by a popular local Christian radio station in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was a wonderful night for us and for so many fathers and daughters. As we were sitting at the table, waiting for our salad, my daughter made a very observant and arresting statement to me: "Dad, there are only white people here." I heard in her statement several things:
Why are there only white people here?
Where are the people who look like us?
This is not my normal.
This is not God's normal.
You see, our kids attend a multinational school, live in a diverse neighborhood, have a diverse posse of friends, and attend a multiethnic church. We are intentionally preparing them for the world.
What should I assume from this monolithic representation at the banquet? Are the powers that be not concerned about people of color? I don't think that's a fair assessment. Do they think Black and Hispanic fathers don't care about spending time with and being a heroic influence to their daughters? I know that couldn't be it either. Did they intentionally market this event to their white listeners. I must say that the music on this station and its affiliates is not diverse enough to attract people of color. Did they market this event specifically to their financial base? I don't know any of the marketing strategies they employed. All I know is, out of close to 800 people on Friday, my daughter and I were two of four people of color. The day before, from what I understand, was a little better, but not much. This is not our normal and has not been our normal for the last 10 years.
My first thought was to gather a "colorful" logistical team to put together a similar event for fathers and daughters of color. I don't think this would solve the problem and would definitely perpetuate the deep divide and polarization of cultures in our city. This would be a different kind of abnormality.
I hope to have a conversation with the VP of Communications to discuss my concerns about the unbalanced representation at the banquet. I am praying that it will be a healthy and productive conversation. Maybe next year, if we go to the banquet, my daughter will see the world in which she lives everyday and the world in which the apostle John and Dr. King dreamed.
Do you think this is an issue worth engaging in? A conversation worth having? What questions would you ask and what issues would you raise in the conversation with the VP of Communications?
Popularity: 7% [?]
