Last week, as a part of my political campaign schedule I went to an African American church for what many of us would consider a Maundy Thursday service celebrating the Easter holy week. As has been my experience at African American churches there is a genuine joy in the air that is palpable. There is a sense of unshakable faith and commitment to that faith that forces me to reflect on many issues facing communities of color in Virginia. On this holy Thursday my 14 year old son asked if he could go with me and I gladly took him along because he was genuinely interested in expanding his spiritual exposure to different denominational services and culture.
While this was by no means my first time attending an African American service, it was the first time that I was struck with a very serious moment of clarity. During the regular course of the service the choir sang a song that threw me into a process of self reflection that made me realize how insidious white privilege can be, and how susceptible any of us can be to apathy regarding struggles that are not “ours.”
The song was called “It’s Only A Test” and almost instantly I thought about the last time I was “tested” in my life. As I came up with some first world problem regarding my typical suburban plight, I was struck when I looked over at my son and then looked around at all of the faces in that church realizing that there is a long history of oppression of these people that I can not know. It made me feel small. It made me realize that we have a very long way to go to address the racial disparity here in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.
It's only a test that you've going through, it won't last always. Trials come just to make us strong, without a little bit of rain it just won't grow. Stand still, keep the faith, don't give up and realize it's only a test you're going through.
One of the core values of my campaign is to address racial disparity head on. If we are to achieve a true “post-racial” society we must come to terms with the fact that simple dignity must be shown to everyone across racial boundaries. We must stop perpetuating the marginalization and dehumanization of all people. while this may seem to be an insurmountable obstacle, I will make it my personal mission to always work toward this goal.
Virginia HD 21 - Tom Brock
Virginia House of Delegates District 21