I recently went to a training seminar through my employer for anti-racism, and experienced a range of emotions. In anticipation for this training I was not excited. Based on previous experiences with similar topics in a university setting, I have found the discussion to be counter-productive at times. The conversation can at times turn into a blame session, with the dominant race at fault. The result is often times animosity from the under-represented groups towards the dominant group, and draws the emotions of either defensiveness or guilt from the dominant group. These results I don’t find to be helpful, or directed at the true root of the problem.
While in the training I was moved with sorrow when we discussed the atrocities performed by some humans toward others. Those leading the training defined racism as the oppressive acts of the dominant race of a society toward another race, carried out through the institutions set up by the dominant race. This would mean that the act of racism can only be performed by the dominant race in a society. The trainers consider race prejudice to be equivalent of the more commonly held definition of racism as simply “the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races.” Regardless of definition, the truth is that humans (whether the dominant race or not) have continued to perform grievous acts towards others on the basis of race. And not only on the basis of race, but for nearly any difference you can think of; whether those differences are the result of skin color, religion, or something as simple as the neighborhood you were born into.
The evidence of this is seen throughout history in the horrendous acts of mankind. The Crusades beginning in the late 12th Century and lasting for nearly 200 years hold within them some of the worst things done in the name of God. As we continue through time we see things like the slavery of Africans by Americans and Europeans, which we are still witnessing the effects of in our country. In the early 1900s the world fought off the tyranny of multiple leaders resulting in two World Wars. The second of which contained within it the unthinkable acts of the Holocaust. Many would argue that through education we can move beyond the oppressive acts of one human toward another, but it is yet to be seen in the happenings around the world. As recently as the 1970s the world witnessed another massacre of a people group in Cambodia by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Presently we are still dealing with the conflict in Darfur, and it does not appear that the injustices of humanity are coming to an end soon.
When such horrible things happen, people often want to find someone to blame. The reality is that everyone is to blame, and no one is excused from being part of the problem. Even when we harbor the smallest amount of anger towards another, we are guilty of the same basic act as those who have committed these horrible acts. Jesus says in Matthew 5:21-22, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘you shall not murder: and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment”. The sins of both murder and anger receive the same penalty, and are evidence of the same heart.
Racism is one of many manifestations of the sinful and selfish actions of one person toward another, and is further evidence of human depravity. In Romans chapter 3 the Apostle Paul clearly explains that no one has done right in the eyes of God. “None is righteous, no, not one: no one understands, no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Racism is not the fault of one race or people group, it is the evidence of sin in our lives and displays the truth of human depravity.
The remedy for the sin of racism and any other sin is not educating people more, or creating better governance to remove the threat. It is simply the grace of God, given through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, we can not only be saved from the wrath of God against sin through Jesus Christ, but empowered to begin the sanctifying process of removing sin from our lives and walking in the newness of life; becoming imitators of God, as beloved children, walking in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. (Ephesians 5:1-2)
The answer to racism is not to hold resentment, or cling to a prideful heart. Rather, in humility, we are to admit that in our weakness we cannot overcome sin, and submit to the empowering work of grace offered through Christ’s blood.
While in the training I was moved with sorrow when we discussed the atrocities performed by some humans toward others. Those leading the training defined racism as the oppressive acts of the dominant race of a society toward another race, carried out through the institutions set up by the dominant race. This would mean that the act of racism can only be performed by the dominant race in a society. The trainers consider race prejudice to be equivalent of the more commonly held definition of racism as simply “the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races.” Regardless of definition, the truth is that humans (whether the dominant race or not) have continued to perform grievous acts towards others on the basis of race. And not only on the basis of race, but for nearly any difference you can think of; whether those differences are the result of skin color, religion, or something as simple as the neighborhood you were born into.
The evidence of this is seen throughout history in the horrendous acts of mankind. The Crusades beginning in the late 12th Century and lasting for nearly 200 years hold within them some of the worst things done in the name of God. As we continue through time we see things like the slavery of Africans by Americans and Europeans, which we are still witnessing the effects of in our country. In the early 1900s the world fought off the tyranny of multiple leaders resulting in two World Wars. The second of which contained within it the unthinkable acts of the Holocaust. Many would argue that through education we can move beyond the oppressive acts of one human toward another, but it is yet to be seen in the happenings around the world. As recently as the 1970s the world witnessed another massacre of a people group in Cambodia by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Presently we are still dealing with the conflict in Darfur, and it does not appear that the injustices of humanity are coming to an end soon.
When such horrible things happen, people often want to find someone to blame. The reality is that everyone is to blame, and no one is excused from being part of the problem. Even when we harbor the smallest amount of anger towards another, we are guilty of the same basic act as those who have committed these horrible acts. Jesus says in Matthew 5:21-22, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘you shall not murder: and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment”. The sins of both murder and anger receive the same penalty, and are evidence of the same heart.
Racism is one of many manifestations of the sinful and selfish actions of one person toward another, and is further evidence of human depravity. In Romans chapter 3 the Apostle Paul clearly explains that no one has done right in the eyes of God. “None is righteous, no, not one: no one understands, no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Racism is not the fault of one race or people group, it is the evidence of sin in our lives and displays the truth of human depravity.
The remedy for the sin of racism and any other sin is not educating people more, or creating better governance to remove the threat. It is simply the grace of God, given through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, we can not only be saved from the wrath of God against sin through Jesus Christ, but empowered to begin the sanctifying process of removing sin from our lives and walking in the newness of life; becoming imitators of God, as beloved children, walking in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. (Ephesians 5:1-2)
The answer to racism is not to hold resentment, or cling to a prideful heart. Rather, in humility, we are to admit that in our weakness we cannot overcome sin, and submit to the empowering work of grace offered through Christ’s blood.
1 comment:
Amen.
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