Adult Religious Education Discussion Group

Here’s the question, taken from the New York Times column “The Ethicist” on Feb. 19. Join us as we consider the ethical ramifications. “I am a white woman living in a mostly white town and state. We needed a small roof repair, and my (white) husband hired someone who had done work for us before. This time, the head of the crew brought with him a worker who drove a truck with a Confederate battle flag prominently displayed. I was deeply offended. My husband and I disagree about how this situation should be handled. I feel that as a white person, I have a responsibility to speak out against racist language and actions, and I try to whenever I am party to such. My husband, by contrast, believes that we have no right (or responsibility) to intervene in circumstances like these: The truck was parked in the street, not in our driveway, and nothing besides the presence of the flag suggested that one of the workers was a racist. What should I have done in this case? Should I have spoken to the worker? His boss? Make sure not to hire this crew again? I believe that some kind of action on my part is my ethical responsibility.”