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Overcoming Prejudice
“‘Roman Catholics can’t be trusted.’ ‘They are trying to outbreed us.’ ‘Their hygiene isn’t very good.’ Growing up in Belfast, that’s what I learned,” said Barry Keating. Today, the pastor of the Maplewood Presbyterian Church in Edmonds has a powerful message of reconciliation, not only for his native Ireland, but for the world at large.
Reverend Keating brought his story of overcoming prejudice to the BBRC Friday and left his audience reflective and impressed.
“Soon after coming to the U.S., I got a job in a prison in Philadelphia. This was a job to ‘educate Barry.’ Out of 700 prisoners, 690 were black. The prison guard in charge of my education told me that “blacks in America can’t be trusted, they are trying to outbreed us, their hygiene isn’t very good, etc. The place and circumstances were changed but the rhetoric was the same.”
Reverent Keating said, “Growing up as a Protestant in Belfast meant that I’d never met any Catholics, but I knew I didn’t like them. We had no interaction between kids because of segregated schools. Now, I’m a Pastor of a Presbyterian Church and actively involved in Camp Brotherhood, and I’m trying to bring all peoples together for a dialogue.”
Keating observed that America is at a crossroads: ”The way we label one another, bigotry, bias, and prejudice are becoming the norm. We hear there are ‘a lot of Jews in Hollywood,’ and ‘you can’t trust a Muslim.’ We hear words on radio, words like conservative, liberal; fiscal vs. social conservatives. I presume things about people. We don’t get to find out all about the people we meet.”
When Barry was younger, the police were interrogating a bunch of his friends. “The question was asked, ’Are you Protestant or Catholic?’ One of my friends replied, ’I’m a Buddhist.’ ’Alright,’ said the police. ‘Are you a Protestant or Catholic Buddhist?’”
During the violence in America in 1969-1970, Barry met a biker from Ireland. “I was from Ireland, but although we couldn’t connect in our own country, because of prejudice, we’ve become fast friends over here. Somewhere in the capacity to connect, we overcame labels. My concern is the labeling. It fuels prejudice, always in the faceless crowd. There’s a nasty debate on to determine who’s right and who’s wrong. I think people should pray before a general election.”
“Our American politicians sound like our Irish politicians. There’s no dialogue, no discussion. Camp Brotherhood and Seattle University are two places I know where discussions take place. But, I fear for the future. The US doesn’t have it all figured out. It’s been a worthwhile experiment for 200 years. It’s doing very well but I fear for it.
The pluralism of America is what makes it strong. “Ireland is getting better, but we still struggle with the history of colonialism. There’s incredible discrimination against both groups—both Catholic and Protestant. The religious divide mixed up with a political divide only seeks to divide. The tragedy of the Irish famine marked the beginning of capitalism in England, where food was only available to places that could afford it. The Irish couldn’t afford it … and starved because of it.
Present day Ireland is having a struggle with independence and of being independent. “Some say, to solve it, the British should get out. The problem is that those British roots are equally as deep as those on the other side of the divide. When you think like that, then you decide that God is on my side, God is with me, so I can justify bumping people off.”
“This is a warning for all countries. We must turn away from polarization. When you hear that ‘no one comes to the Father except by me,’ the implication is that the truth is on my side. You can disappear, because you’re not important.
“We have a tremendous amount to be learned. It’s easy to have separate and segregated communities. God gave the land to us. And that’s the tragedy. My truth may not be yours, but we must make the effort to understand one another.
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President Brian Evison thanks Reverend Keating for his presentation.
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“Now in Ireland, people are forced to face each other across the divide. Fear in the US really drives us to grab on to the truth, or what we believe that is secure and comfortable for us. Fear drives people away from listening, and understanding. Ireland is a teacher for which we can learn. We do have prejudice. We must learn to be willing to dialog – for in dialog there will be great benefit to mankind.”
Thanks to Rourke O’Brien for his introduction and making arrangements for Rev. Keating’s appearance. By going to www.campbrotherhood.org you will learn about this inspiring place and find out about an interesting Rotary connection.
For his captivating presentation, Barry Keating was presented a certificate, noting that the BBRC has presented a book in his name to a needy child in the Bellevue School system.
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