More Continuous Commentary
Reader Update: Last week, two friends–WR & BT began a conversation about race with each other.
The initial reaction caused each of them to conduct an act of self examination—a venture they were not really prepared to take.
Friends and business partners for just a few years, they’ve known each other for life, having grown up together, played high school sports together and later became two major professional sports figures.
Both retired early for sports injuries, found themselves back home and chose to join forces as business partners—opening a goods and services transport company—W&B Transports—taking the first initial from each of their names to create the company’s name.
Their motto “W & B Moves,” draws on the famous moves each had as major football players. Both are at a point in their lives where they are now looking into their hearts about the kind of man they have become and want to be.
They are constantly discussing being thankful and grateful for their accomplishments and each knows that they must do something to help their hometown overcome the growing hate and intolerance it is currently experiencing. But they are discovering they have to first get to re-know each other.
Their long friendship had survived by them not applying issues of race to their relationship. All WR & BT ever knew was that they were true friends and their life journey together dictated that they would remain so.
Characters: WR: A Venerable Man; BT: A Venerable Man
Actors: You, The Reader
Setting: WR’s Office, minutes before they leave for their lawyer’s office to finalize the details about their $8 million contract with the Port of Savannah.
(Both men are dressed in custom made suits that fit perfectly on their still muscular physiques. Each is quieter than usual and each knows why. Business is business and each got to the office ready to do just that. But each also knew that their conversation about race was not over and it would have to be addressed. Maybe in small doses, but it had to be addressed.)
WR: Uh…BT.. I-
BT: (cuts him off) Yeah I know Man, every thing’s ok.
WR: Yeah, but you know I-
BT: (cuts him off again) Hey look, we can talk about this a little at a time. You know we have to do it, and I want you with me on this.
We are at a crossroad WR and have to make some choices that are relevant to what God expects us to do as Christian men. I tell you what. Let’s make it like a game, OK? I suggest each day we do or say something on the subject and not pretend it is not there, OK?
WR: Well…I can see that point. That might be ok. You know BT, I have lived with my uncle’s ranting about race for what seems like forever. I just never took it as the truth because I didn’t apply it to me personally.
When I got home last night, I was still pissed at you for bringing up a subject like race and asking me to make a comment on something I had heard people saying that sounded so much like my uncle’s words and again, I didn’t apply it to me.
So, for you to ask me that question made it seem like you thought I felt that way and I couldn’t believe you would think that considering how long we have known each other and the life we have enjoyed together as friends.
That question, all at the same time, broke my heart and made me mad as hell.You understand what I’m saying?
BT: WR, I do understand what you’re saying, and feeling. After that workshop, I became aware of some things I just had not dealt with before in my life. I didn’t have to. I know for certain that my friendship with you, along with my ferocious football moves, got me where I am.
But at the same time, I can’t just revel in that and not examine who I am and what I can contribute to mankind in some way. I can’t get mad at the guys we both know that are just greedy, vain, arrogant and completely-
WR: (cuts him off) -just plain selfish butt holes. (they both laugh) By the way “Mr. Ferocious Moves” surely you remember the number one sports writer in this whole US of A called my fakes ‘THE most magnificent moves ever seen in the sport.’ Ha!!!
BT: Ok, Ok- (after a pause)—that statement reminds me of the first movie I ever saw, The Magnificent Seven.
WR: Yeah, I laugh every time I remember the lady at the ticket booth seeing you standing there with me with your head completely wrapped in gauze bandages, and your hands too-
BT: (laughing) –and you saying, “ma’am my friend just came home from the burn unit and he just wants to see this famous movie star ring his favorite actor.’
WR: (laughing harder) Yeah, and she said to you “who is your favorite actor in the movie?” And you said “Woody Strode.”
BT: (still laughing) I’ll never forget the look on her face, rather what I could see through the bandages. But it kept me from having to go all the way up those rickety stairs to the balcony.
WR: Huh. I always wondered what she thought seeing someone with me saying they liked the only black character in the movie. (looks at watch). Oh, it’s time to go. (Then pauses to put his hand on BT’s shoulder), Ok, my friend. Game On!