Racism is Evil: Overcome Evil With Good
Racism is evil. Keesha McLaren’s faith commands her to overcome evil with good. Racism shows a lack of love. Keesha’s faith asks that she love unconditionally. Love means to be patient with those who look down on you, it means to be kind to those who judge you for the color of your skin. The most challenging is she cannot keep a record of any wrongs. Keesha has to persevere and hope for the best outcome. The faith that she follows asks her to get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, slander, malice, and to forgive and be compassionate towards those who have called her names because of her color.
‘Evil is powerful, but good is more powerful. In fact, evil is so powerful that only good has the power to overcome evil. Darkness can be driven away only by light.’ ―
I personally love people of all color, race, creed, background, sexual orientation, and nationality. I have interviewed Mayple Dorrington, Casey Palmer, Michelle Marshall, Dr. Valerie Fitzpatrick, Sonia, Davianna, Bobby Ray Jones Jr., Paula Eriya, Zenovia Shaw, Kunle Tauhid, and Sherron Grant. They are members of the black community and are chiropractors, chefs, authors, principals at a school, entrepreneurs, Vice-Presidents at a bank, and game-changers.
Fourcolumns will be an agent for change and the conscience of our society. We cannot allow this discussion to become a flavor of the month. However, we need to have a discussion with a flavor of peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, lament, compassion, and forgiveness. Each and every one of us who is reading has to look at our own mental, psychological, physical, emotional, cultural, financial, and spiritual biases.
Two weeks back I reached out to Keesha as to how she was doing. I was humbled by her response. ‘I’m doing well. I’m healthy, I have food to eat, a place to live and for the moment a job. God loves me and is taking great care of me so I have absolutely nothing to complain about.’ I had to talk to her. I wanted to get her perspective on the current climate.
Keesha, good to connect after a long time. Please tell me a little bit about you?
Hi, my name is Keesha McLaren and I’m a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. I’m a sister, an aunt, a plant-based foodie, and an aspiring yogi. I have a passion for God, health, and helping others. My ultimate goal is to make my corner of the world a little better by helping my clients find a healthier version of themselves.
Let’s get honest here. Talk to me about how you are feeling concerning George Floyd?
In a word disgusted. The way those police officers treated Mr. Floyd was inhumane. Regardless of what he had done, he did not deserve the treatment he received. I’m sickened by the way Officer Chauvin used his knee to choke the life out of Mr. Floyd; all the while with his hands in his pocket, looking around as if he was kneeling on a rubber snake and not a living human being begging for his life.
What goes on in the mind of one human that makes him think it’s okay to treat another human like that without thought, care, compassion, or feeling?
Black Lives Matter is important. We need to have this conversation. We need to lament and lift our brothers and sisters. Please comment?
I am downright astounded that after the abolishment of slavery, the civil rights movement, the collapse of apartheid, and the brutality of Rodney King that society is in the same place where it started. “Black Lives Matter” why is this even up for debate? Are black people not also human? Why should we need to point this out? The same society who fights vehemently for the rights of animals also disregards the life of its fellow citizens – appalling. Why should anyone be treated differently because of something as unimportant as the color of their skin? Who chooses their skin color? Is a brown dog less of a dog than a black one or white one or a spotted one? Of course not, its just skin!
Black people are asking for equality, not to be treated better, not for a handout or a hand up, all they are asking is to be given the same opportunity as their fellow white citizens to live. The thing I find truly amazing is that after the treatment black people have had to endure for the last four hundred years they’re seeking equality and not revenge.
Talk to me about your own experience growing up black in Toronto?
To be honest I’ve had a good life. I moved to Canada, Toronto specifically as a fifteen-year-old. I lived in a good area and attend a good school so I didn’t experience any overt prejudice. This is a sad thing to say that as a black person you have lived a good life if all you have experienced is covert prejudice.
The high school I went to was predominantly Jewish and I remember vividly on my first visit the guidance counselor saying I would likely find it challenging to fit in because most of the students attended the same elementary and junior high schools so they have formed tight friendship bonds. In reality “tight friendship bonds” was not the problem, it was prejudice. The prejudice of color, economics, and culture prevented those white students from socializing with me or even being civil. I was the wrong color, from the wrong end of the economic spectrum and came from the wrong place. It was as crystal clear to me then as it is to me now looking back. I guess some experiences were the regular shenanigans common to the high school experience of most students but some experiences were definitely outside the norm. I was always the last one picked in physed class even though I was fitter and faster than even some of the boys. No one wanted to partner with me for group projects and when I was in a group I always had to work harder than everyone else to prove myself. I remember the guidance counselor suggesting to me that maybe I should set my sights on an easier university to get into “just in case I don’t get into my preferred school.”
At university, the color was less of an issue and I felt I could be myself. The student population was very diverse and in general, I think university students are more socially advanced than the rest of society so acceptance was not a challenge.
After leaving university and entering the corporate world, the reality of prejudice smacked me in the face again and has not left. I have been passed over for promotions, given unfair evaluations that could not be justified, my workload was always heavy and I could never get any help regardless of the number of times I asked. I was never offered any of the perks my other coworkers received.
Being treated as less than and undeserving has been my reality first as a black teenager and now as an adult.
The faith you follow talks about peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, compassion, and the big one forgiveness. How are you reconciling everything you are going through, feeling, and your faith?
My belief in God and his principles grounds me when there is injustice all around me. My faith does not insulate me against hardship, it puts it into perspective. Bad situations are not made better but it helps me to not become bitter in my pain. I can move past hardship because God loves me. I can forgive and be merciful towards others because God did that for me. I cannot and must not sit in the seat of self-righteousness and judge others when I myself am imperfect and worthy of judgment. God forgives me for my wrongs and this allows me to forgive others for theirs. Now don’t get me wrong, I have not forgotten the wrongs but I decided not to allow the behavior of others to determine how I live my life.
The older I get, I find it is important to be resilient to cling on to your goals, ethos, and values. Please comment?
It is important to stay true to your values. As the saying goes “if you don’t stand for anything, you will fall for everything.” It has been my experience that if you clearly mark your boundary lines people are less likely to cross them. I don’t expect anyone to know my values so the onus is on me to tell them. I have to tell them what and where my boundaries are so they know how far I am willing to go. I also have to decide for myself what the repercussions for crossing them will be and stick to them – otherwise what is the point of having them?
In your own words, what does women empowerment mean to you?
Female empowerment to me means that I have the right and the space to say what I believe without coercion or the fear of consequences from those who may disagree with me.
Life is tough, challenging and sometimes you feel like you are in the tunnel for a long time. Have you had such a moment in your life and how did you deal with it?
Everyone goes through difficult seasons its called life. It is hurt, disappointments, injustices, pain, and the like but as long as I have a life I have to persevere and I have to have hope. Some days all I can do is focus on the current minute that I am living in and when I make it through I focus on the next. Life is messy, sometimes everything is great, and sometimes it’s not but you have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep going forward. One day you’ll look up and there will be light.
How do you balance food, faith, finance, and family?
With prayer, patience, and perseverance. I ask God to give me what I need and to help me to desire what I need as opposed to what I want. As I have gotten older I have discovered that I don’t need a lot of “stuff” and this realization helps me not spend time and energy chasing what I don’t have and be content and grateful for what I do have. God for His own purpose has chosen to bless me by meeting all my needs, I can truly say I lack nothing. As a young adult I often meditated on Proverbs 30: 8-9 “…give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Thankfully, so far God has honored this prayer.
Finally, give yourself advice at 15, 25, and 35?
The advice I would give my 15-year-old self is to work harder than you feel you’re working. And don’t be in such a rush to grow up, time goes flying by much faster than you realize.
To my 25-year-old self I say, think about, plan out and work for the life you desire. Don’t procrastinate! Be ready to seize every opportunity and don’t be so easily discouraged. Focus on yourself and don’t worry about the people around you because you never know what they have done or are doing to get to where they are.
To my 35-year-old self I say, recognize your worth and don’t settle for less.
As a teacher, Keesha’s high school experience breaks my heart. We have to do better. There is no excuse for racism.
Hi Tracy,
Thank you for your compassion. Sad to say my high school days are well behind me and thankfully so is this experience. We need caring and compassionate teachers like yourself to encourage our children to aim higher than their dreams. I’m depending on you to make such a difference with your next class of students. I know your job is challenging and thankless but we are counting on you to do it excellently.
Great interview. Faith, grace, striving for equality– instead of bitterness and revenge. Keesha is definitely a women of noble character.
Thx Val! I’m definitely trying to be.
This was a really interesting interview to read. Keesha definitely sounds like a strong and empowered woman of faith
Thank you Kelly!
I really agree and racism (as much as I don’t want to believe) is alives and well. We need to teach young people and stop the negativity in the world.
Dreams Abroad, I couldn’t agree with you more. I Consistently share with my nephews and niece who are young adults uplifting stories and images of successful, upstanding black people. The purpose is to show them what is possible as unfortunately the majority of images shown by the media are negative. They cannot control how others see them but they can certainly control how they see themselves.
Very well said Keesha. This was a very good read and I share very similar thoughts. Thank you for sharing.
Thx Christina! Hopefully we will see positive changes for the next generation.
It’s very interesting to read. Its horrible racial discrimination is here at all. However, living in a country where people of color are very rare it’s very educational for me to know more about it
Hi Lyosha, hopefully you will never have to experience discrimination of any sort. It is commendable that you are interested in educating yourself about it.
Wow, this interview was amazing! Keesha is such a sting woman.
Thank you Robin.
Thanks for sharing this! It’s a really troubling situation that needs a solution now more than ever.
Great interview with Keesha and her graceful responses. I love how she talks about boundaries and that no one knows what they are unless they are directly communicated. I need to do more of that in my own life.
This was a great interview. I enjoyed reading more about Keesha. It’s sad that racism still exists. I really wish we could all love one another.
Thanks for the interview and for making awareness about this important topic. Any kind of discrimination is bad for the communities.
This is a really powerful interview. Thank you Keesha for sharing your story.
What a strong and wise woman! Oh and I agree and hope that this isn’t just a “flavor of the month” but a true genuine move toward actual change.
Keesha is such an inspiring woman. Great read. Very nice interview.
I love the idea that you can bit evil only with good! It was nice to read Keesha’s interview and to learn more about her!
This is a great read! Thank you for introducing to us this topic and for sure a lot of people like me will learn something.
This is a wonderful and important interview. I don’t really understand why I should treat someone differently based on the colour of their skin, their gender, or anything similar – but unfortunately, it remains such a big issue.
So sorry to hear of your high school experience and I’m glad that things got better as you went to college.
First off, I’m glad someone else noticed and commented on Derek Chauvin having his hands in his pockets while sitting on George Floyd! I often wondered if I was the only one who noticed that, or thought that clearly meant there was no actual threat coming from Floyd.
Keesha reminds me of a friend of mine, who has faced racism, adversity, and being a minority in multiple ways. But like Keesha, she still has an amazing attitude and is very blessed. I think that speaks volumes to her character. I wish more minorities would step up and tell their stories, to help others understand these experiences. I still have trouble understanding why so many people want to push the BLM movement off to the side. Yet we stand with nurses, cancer patients/survivors, LGBTQ, shootings, and so much more. But as soon as we hear the words Black Lives Matter, it seems like everyone stops listening and they don’t matter. I find it especially infuriating when someone says that all lives matter. While that is true, all lives include black lives and they need our support right now. I hate that one simple phrase manages to include everyone except black lives.
I’ve truly agree with everything on this post as the saying goes in the Bible. We must conquer evil with good. Another saying goes like this, There will be no evil will come on doing good.
It was interesting to read this interview and read about Keesha’s experiences. These are such sad times, and I am so frustrated that racism is still happening in this day and age.
(Also, holistic nutritionist is my dream job!)
She sounds like an amazing woman. I love her positive outlook despite what’s happening about racism. Racism is indeed evil. And it’s sad that it’s still happening.
It breaks my heart that racism ever existed and that it is still happening. I’m glad that Keesha shared her insights with us. I think white people especially need to remember that racism is so much more than police brutality. I’m glad that you are committed to keeping the conversation going!
As a Black women, reading parts of Keesha’s experiences resonated with me. I share her struggles and I pray our children grow up in a world that is fair and not evil.
Thank you Keesha for being so honest and vulnerable with your answers and thank you Jerry for giving her this opportunity to share her experiences and her message. Honestly, I can’t fathom what would go through someone’s head to think that the actions of Officer Chauvin were okay on any level. That or any other act of blatant racism. The fact that we still have to try to convince people that Black Lives Matter is mind blowing. The fact that there is still pushback is something I will never understand. While I can’t know how you are feeling Keesha, know that I stand with you .
Love learning about such an inspiring woman like Keesha. It is hard to read about she has gone through and know how much things like that still go on everyday.
I admit that I didn’t understand “Black Lives Matter”, but now I know why the movement is called that. And I am continually having conversations so I can learn and do better, but also so I can be a vocal anti-racist to support the movement.
It’s so important to continue the conversation and continue to enlighten folks about racism.
I’m not sure what happened to my earlier comment, but you are completely right racism is ugly, it’s evil and there’s no room for it.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I hate that this is where we still are in Canada, it’s embarrassing. We need more people to read first hand accounts of racism and feel outraged.
It is such a destructive nature. I am glad I have surrounded myself with supportive people.
Good to read this. This helps to inspire and empower everyone to keep doing good and fulfil your dream no matter what.
I totally agree that racism is evil! This is such a wonderful blog for you to share with us. Hope this will touch other people’s heart.
👍
I love the concept of your website! The fact that you are a man makes it even better. Kesha gave a great interview. I am a black woman and I’ve lived in both the United States and Jamaica. I must admit I have not had many experiences where I experienced racism BUT I do understand that it is real and I empathize with the feelings being experienced. Great job bringing awareness.
Hello everyone! A huge thank you to you all for your encouragement and well wishes. I am beyond happy that the sharing of my experience has elicited such heartwarming responses. I hope the compassion and kindness you have shown to me will expand well beyond the boundaries of this blog.
Great insightful interview. Bitterness, revenge, and hate are all consuming, but for me, such a waste of life.
Many thanks for stopping by my travel and photography blog – much appreciated.