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October 13, 2005

Juneteenth with George

Nothing marks the emancipation of Black Americans like White babies in flower pots. That was the greeting card Harriet Miers chose to send then-Governor George Bush in 1996 for inviting her to his Juneteenth celebration. The card was among over 2000 pages of correspondence between Miers and Bush released this week by the Texas State Library.

Dear Governor and Laura,

Thank you so much for including me in your great Juneteenth celebration. I found the dishes delicious and the company most enjoyable. Someday, if I ever cook again, I will try some of the recipies! You were most thoughtful to include me.

Fondly,
Harriet

If you are a White, suburban, evangelical, middle-class woman - you most likely will recognize the card as part of the Anne Geddes series (the artist famous for photographing babies in flowerpots and other garden apparatus). Anne Geddes was a central fascination of suburbia before the debut of Desperate Housewives.

There is nothing wrong with liking Anne Geddes - or being a White, suburban, evangelical, middle-class woman. It just seems the demographic forms a large part of the circle that surrounds George W. Bush. That would be fine, except that George W. Bush rarely goes outside his circle for input and advice.

I spent a lot of time in my early-twenties working on race relations within the evangelical community after a friend and I initiated an effort to bring racially-segregated congregations together to worship. We soon discovered that the obstacle that prevented greater participation between churches wasn't racism, it was personal comfort. People tend to gather with others like them. And unless there is something that propels them to experience life as someone different lives it, they will simply settle into their comfortable pattern alongside familiar faces.

President Bush relies on a tight, inner-circle. However, when that circle largely looks, thinks and act likes you...it might be time to branch out. Before nominating Miers, the White House sought the counsel of a diverse group of anti-gay activists and social conservatives. The Bush Administration did the same before announcing its support of an anti-marriage constitutional amendment. The administration has still failed to meet once with an LGBT organization to discuss issues important to our community. Yet, they continue to make policy, and nominate judges, that have a disproportionate impact on our families.

Personal comfort is just that - comforting to the individual. It might serve the George W. Bush the person, but it fails him as a leader.

Posted by John at October 13, 2005 09:41 AM