Team Work Makes the Dream Work

Reflection 10

Amity and collaboration are two of the most powerful tools we have. Amity, defined, reads ” a friendly relationship” and collaboration reads, “the action of working with someone to produce or create something.”

The film An American Story: Race Amity and The Other Tradition talk about racial amity and collaboration throughout history, an important lesson we all need to hear. The documentary’s website describes the purpose of the documentary project, stating, ” [The purpose of these documentary project is] to move the discourse from the “blame/grievance/rejection” cycle to a view from a different lens, the lens of “amity/collaboration/access and equity.” The website also gives more perspective, stating, “The documentary discusses the “better in us” a needed collective perspective in the current climate of national disunity across racial, religious, and political lines.” The story was inspiring and shed some positive light on an important topic. It is something we can learn from.

We find stories similar to those told in the documentary in the news and in the real world today. The goodnewsnetwork.org is full of uplifting, inspiring, and hopeful stories that we will reach a world full of amity and collaboration.

The first story I found was about transracial adoption. The story follows Peter, a black father adopting Anthony, a teenaged white boy. The story was shared in hopes to inspire others to understand that transracial adoption is normal and natural, after receiving some backlash from others. Peter says, “The differences in my family’s skin may be the first thing people notice today, but I hope that over time what will be most noteworthy about us, and about all transracial families, is the love, joy and connection we share.” Peter grew up in an abusive home and fled his family very young, later being raised by a stranger who saved his life. He wanted to do the same for someone one day.

Another story I found focusing on Amity was about Maine and Tuskegee, Alabama becoming sister cities and healing their racial divide. One town was predominately white while the other was predominately black. These efforts began in 2016. Residents wanted to look beyond media and stereotypes and reach out to residents, face-to-face, to overcome these obstacles. The article states, “Maine folks who had never spent real time with Black people in their entire lives now have Black friends whom they’ve have hosted in their homes”. They built friendships, broke bread, visited schools, and got over fears they previously had. They are still currently going strong, despite the pandemic and restrictions, and have frequent zoom meetings with over 150 people joining.

The final story that stood out to me as an excellent example of racial amity and collaboration was about a former KKK member who know spends his time volunteering for Anti-Hate Mission. The article gives some insight into Christopher Buckley’s past, “Army veteran Christopher Buckley used to be a national security leader for the Ku Klux Klan—but now he is using his time to spread compassion and racial understanding.” Buckley developed racist attitudes from his rough upbringing, and began to hate Muslims after serving overseas in Afghanistan as well. When he returned home, he became an honored official in the Georgia White Knights chapter of the KKK.

Buckley later befriended a man in 2016 who brought his white nationalism to an end. Arno Micheals was also a former member of a racist skinhead organization. He unlearned his hateful tendencies and became a volunteer for Parents 4 Peace, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting youngsters from racist ideologies and helping white nationalists to let go of their dangerous stereotypes. Buckley left his organization thanks to his friendship with Micheals and left his anti-black, Muslim, and refugee mindset behind. Buckley now joins Micheals volunteering for the same non-profit organization.

All of these stories are powerful and inspiring, revealing the importance of amity and collaboration. It makes a huge difference in our lives and the lives of others. It brings peace and understanding to each other and the world around us.