Do you have a best friend who is a member of a different ethic race? This person is someone that you would include in your wedding or when something good or bad happens to you. You would call them up and have a heart to heart conversation. Please do not use the phase “I have black friends”. People that you work with are not included. In a work environment, you have to get along with member of different races to get the job done. I want to know if you have friends beyond the work enivirorment.
In 2005, I was in a men’s bible study and there was a guy named “Chris”. I am African American and mostly the group is made of up of white men. I have been in this group for 2 years and it has helped me grown spiritually. I was the first one in the group to get marred. Chris would never talk to me or look me directly in the eye for the past 2 years. Being creatures of habit, we would sit the same place week after week during the bible study.
We were never friends but I have tried to talk to him. He would ignore me and not say anything to me. It hurt my feeling but I would only focus on the guys who would talk to me. In this group is made of single men in their 30’s who want to find the right woman. I was the first one in the group to get married. Most of the guys there were very supportive and happy that I found someone but a few didn’t share in my happiness. I felt like Star Jones. Some of the guys got angry that I would talk about getting and being married.
One night Chris said “Richard ought to leave the group and show us to the promise land.” I was really hurt and said “excuse me for living.” At the end of the Bible study, all the men in the group would pray for each other’s burden and prayer request. Chris prayed to out loud and said, “Dear Jesus let Richard know that I am not mad at him. He has as a lot to teach us about marriage.” I was sitting next to Chris and very I upset that he couldn’t say that to me face to face.
The next day prayed about what to do and called up “Chris”. He said “what did I do?”
I stated that I was very hurt by his comments. He said “what comments?”
I reminded him of his comment that I should “leave” Bible study group.” He stated that he didn’t say leave. He said I should lead the group to the promise land of marriage. I gave him the benefit of the doubt because I didn’t have my hearing aid in my ear that night.
Chris said “I didn’t know you had a hearing aid. “Yes I have it for the past 3 years. You never talk to me in the group. I would say “hi’ or “hello” and you would ignore me.
He stated “I do not know you that well”
“Well there are other guys here who may not know me but they start up a conversation with me. They ask how I am I doing.”
“I am sorry. I have black friends.”
“Just because you work with other black people, doesn’t make them your friends.
If you have black friends, these friends have to be inviduals that one would go out of their way to befriend them.
Sorry long story but I wanted to make a point. Do you have friends who are member of a different race?
2006-08-08
21:24:02
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16 answers
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asked by
Richard T
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in
Religion & Spirituality