Trust In Dr. West's Race Matters

As I reminisce about the required readings of this week 's lessons, I am reminded of the phrase "Circle of Trust". The words are simple enough, but the meaning behind it is so profound. According to Palmer, the circle of trust is not just about familiar and comfortable relationships between family, friends and loved ones. The circle of trust is truly about the relationship that a person builds or creates within every space of their lives. Rather that space be your personal life, your cultural interactions or your vocational life. "A circle of trust can form wherever two or three are gathered—as long as those two or three known how to create and protect a space for the soul" (Palmer, 2004). Palmer 's analysis of how important trust is to the
West 's book, Race Matters, Dr. West speaks about the damaged and strained relationships between the black race and current society. He contends that if humanity is willing to find a common place in their hearts for acceptance (admitting of pain), for forgiveness ( afflicter of pain) and for progression (healing); a circle of trust can begin to shape. “We have to recognize that there cannot be relationships unless there is commitment, unless there is loyalty, unless there is love, patience, persistence” (West, 1994). The idea of structuring a framework of mutual respect, compassion and acceptances of others personal differences; rather it be ethnicity, culture or ethics, can broaden and strengthen the circle of trust. Notwithstanding, in Dr. West 's video Democracy Matters: Winning the Fight Against Imperialism, Dr. West continues to stress the value of nurturing the human spirit to be humble and democratic when interacting with all humanity. Dr. West goes on to say this is important because when all human beings are valued, we as a society will win. "The greatest intellectual, moral, political, and spiritual resources in America that may renew the soul and preserve the future of American democracy reside in this multiracial, rich democratic heritage" (West,
He goes on to say that once the people in his community, his world, and in his space where willing to embrace and expand their cultural awareness; his soul became alive. "The beginning of all wisdom is to understand that you don 't know. To know is the enemy of all learning. To be sure is the enemy of wisdom" (2004). This notion of expanding ones inner circle and allowing the soul to trust the unknown; and the spirit to challenge the unfamiliar can be linked to Arthur Boers ' book Living into Focus. In Living into Focus, Boers deems that as a society, we are living our lives in a state of distraction and comfort. As a society, we have become so distracted with technology, gadgets, and television, that we have lost focus of the important things in life. We are now experts in comfortable and non-challenging state of affairs or relationships. This according to Boers, has caused us to lose focus on relationships, humanity, spiritual and inner growth. “When we allowing devices and machines to reside at the center of our lives, we displace values and practices that once enriched the quality of how we live. Which end up serving our gadgets instead of using them as tools to support our priorities. Technology itself becomes the center and purpose of how we live” (Boers,