May_2017_Voice_of_SWLA_Mag
The Voice of Southwest Louisiana - Local News, Events, Stories and People
The Voice of Southwest Louisiana - Local News, Events, Stories and People
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editor’s PEN By Brenda Hill<br />
Mercy Matters<br />
The city <strong>of</strong> Lake Charles is quiet and finally<br />
peaceful once again from all <strong>of</strong> the busy<br />
energy from campaigning, voting and<br />
elections. Important leadership positions are<br />
are now filled for a season.<br />
I was always taught, by my parents, that I should<br />
go to school, get an education, work hard and<br />
doors will open to me. I guess that was an 'Expected<br />
Favor' that I looked forward to when I pursued my<br />
'American Dreams.' I even heard and continue to<br />
hear other individuals with different skin tones and<br />
various backgrounds speak about this same type <strong>of</strong><br />
'Expected Favor,' that unlocks opportunity to their<br />
hopes and dreams too.<br />
But what happens to 'Expected Favor' in a society<br />
when it perceives that its beliefs, preferences and<br />
comforts are threatened?<br />
How do we teach that same 'Expected Favor' to<br />
"our" children when an older black male with<br />
multiple levels <strong>of</strong> education, depths <strong>of</strong> experience,<br />
questionable character and temperament compete<br />
in a mayoral campaign, but the younger white<br />
male with education and less experience wins the<br />
campaign?<br />
that 'Expected Favor' when an older white male<br />
with business education and experience, but no<br />
political experience and questionable character with<br />
temperament wins the electoral vote for the top<br />
leadership position in America but the white female<br />
with multiple levels <strong>of</strong> education, depths <strong>of</strong> political<br />
experience, questionable integrity and the majority<br />
vote in america loose the campaign?<br />
Neither individual with multiple levels <strong>of</strong> education<br />
and depths <strong>of</strong> experience victoriously walked<br />
through the doors that opened to them.<br />
Does 'Expected Favor' cease because White vote<br />
White and Black vote Black? Or, Male vote Male and<br />
Female vote Female? Or, Black is Divided and Do Not<br />
Vote?<br />
Has 'Expected Favor' really come down to race and<br />
gender preference in America?<br />
Well, America is embarking on new endeavors<br />
and foreign territories and the 'law <strong>of</strong> harvest' still<br />
operates.<br />
Favor is Mercy and Mercy is Favor.<br />
What do we learn and teach "our" children about<br />
Volume 4 • Number 8 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM <strong>May</strong> <strong>2017</strong> 3
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