As a white woman, I cannot know exactly what my black brothers and sisters have gone through and are currently enduring. I never can honestly say, “I know what that feels like” or “I fully understand”.
Case in point:
I will never worry about my children being targeted because of the color of their skin. I will never worry about what may happen if my husband gets stopped by police or if my sons go jogging or play basketball at the park with their friends. I most likely won’t have to worry about an unannounced home invasion where I could be killed.
Our skin color and cultural differences may be evident, but our blood runs the same. We should acknowledge our beautiful differences while remembering that God created us equal. No color blindness here.
I remember as a little girl, having a boiling-mad feeling…
…when I discovered the history of slavery.
…when I realized racism in our country wasn’t a thing of the past.
…when I awoke to the bits of prejudiced ideas and notions going on in my tiny growing brain.
…when I first heard that racially-charged joke
…when someone made a comment like, “well, she’s pretty for a black girl.” 🤯
And I’ve tried since that day to kick out every ounce of it. Racism deserves no place in my life or heart.
Yet across our world, racism is alive and well; and you know the cause? Sin.
Racism is a SIN.
It breaks God’s heart,
it breaks my heart,
and it should break your heart.
I’m not always exactly sure what I can do, but here are a few things I can suggest…
- Listen: and before you open your mouth to give an opinion, listen more. As much as we try to understand, we will never fully know the horrors, the injustice, and the abuse our friends have endured.
- Learn: Don’t expect others to do your research work for you.
- Pray: Pray for our brothers and sisters dealing with daily attacks, pray for the hardened, wicked hearts of racist people, and pray for healing and unity.
- Stand: Find ways you can be an advocate in your community and church.
- Speak: Don’t allow racist remarks or jokes in your presence. Silence is complicity.
- Feel: Demonstrate empathy. Weep with them. Love them.
- Be Pro All-Life: if you advocate for the life of the unborn, but refuse to stand up for our black brothers and sisters, I would argue that you are only pro-preborn life. We must be consistent and stand up for all life including other ethnic groups, the elderly, the abused, etc.
- Evangelize: Jesus condemns racism and teaches us to love others. But the gospel is NOT merely a social message, but a salvation message. The gospel is the announcement that Jesus Christ was sent by the Father to die for our sins, and that He rose from the dead on the third day by the Holy Spirit.
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; see also: Romans 3:23-26, 8:11)
He died for ALL sins – even racism.
Repent today and go forward into a new life with Jesus. Even the worst racist, immoral, violent, profane person can be forgiven and transformed by the overflowing grace of God in Christ.
“Oh Jesus, friend of sinners,
Open our eyes to world at
the end of our pointing fingers.
Let our hearts be led by mercy,
Help us reach with open hearts
and open doors.
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners,
break our hearts for
what breaks Yours”
(from the song, “Jesus, Friend of Sinners” by Casting Crowns) Watch + Listen here:
Let us pray…
Lord, continue to break my heart, and the hearts of all people, for what breaks Yours. Please Jesus, heal the broken and divided lines in our country. Help us to accept one another in all our unique diversity, ethnic differences, and varied opinions. Help us to see past our own ideas, and see the people.
Amen.
Blessings,
Stephanie
May 17, 2020
I think it’s important to remember that racism is not just white people judging black people. It occurs across many skin colors and nationalities & cultures. I was born in 1956 and grew up realizing, sadly, that many people were judged because of the color of their skin. My best friend at 8 years of age was of a different skin color and it hurt to hear my grandmother tell my mom that I shouldn’t be allowed to play with trash. I have fought hard to learn to give respect based on actions, not skin color, especially in the 70’s when forced busing to integrate schools was occurring. When a few girls of different skin color, almost daily, met me at the top of the stairs at school- demanding money and I was afraid not to give it to them. Fortunately, I had other friends, of multiple races, that treated others with caring and compassion, as I tried to do as well. It doesn’t matter what my skin color is or what their skin color was. How we TREAT others is what is important. Because of the existence of some white racists or some black racists or middle eastern or Asian or any other group’s racist attitudes… that does not mean that every person in that skin color group are going to behave in racist ways. Yes, we all need to watch for and guard against snap judgments. I dare say it may be a life long endeavor for many people. Your suggestions are good for a person of ANY color or culture to follow when dealing with other people. AND YES, ALL COLORS, NATIONALITIES AND PEOPLE GROUPS MATTER.
June 26, 2020
True. I have seen reverse racism… as Colleen said… people of every race and culture and nationality can choose to be racist just as they can choose LOVE. As Philippians 2 says: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but consider others better than yourselves… your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.