I know there are quite a few who don’t believe it, but racism is still alive and well in the USA. I’ve seen people flat out deny it. The racism-deniers are, in my experience, always white. And all day today I’ve seen white people continue to act in racist ways.
In North Carolina, people of color had been called the n-word while trying to go into a store.
I’m not saying that racism is back on the scene in a new way. I AM saying that the current climate in the USA has created a place where racists feel free to express their views. Go read the comments section on any social media site or news story and you cannot avoid the racist comments, slurs, and insults.
And this is not to say that everyone who voted Republican is racist. Not at all. I know good Christian men and women who are Republicans and regularly vote that way. But we cannot deny that the Republican Party has become the landing zone for terrible attitudes, thoughts, and actions. These are the kinds of people Hillary Clinton infamously put in “a basket of deplorables.” Not every Republican – just the deplorable ones.
The problem is that many Republicans approach the current issue of racism from their own lens and say, “I’m not racist, and my family members aren’t racist, so people who complain about racism are just inventing problems.” White people are still not listening.
The Bible uses the word “listen” over 600 times. There’s something to be said about hearing – really listening and not missing out on the conversation. For example:
- If you listen for Lady Wisdom, attune your ears to her, and engage your mind to understand what she is telling you… (Proverbs 2:2)
- All who have ears to hear, let them listen. (Mark 4:9)
And what conservative whites need to hear is that people of color are genuinely concerned. The safe space created for racists to speak openly is a threat to brown-skinned people. I cannot tell you (literally) how many times I’ve seen people talk or write about “white genocide” and that we need to save the white race. But behavior that pushes away and harms people of color is not a biblical attitude or characteristic. The Bible is filled with words about helping outsiders and loving the outcast.
He enforces His justice for the powerless, such as orphans and widows, and He loves foreigners, making sure they have food and clothing. (Deuteronomy 10:18)
It’s time for white Christians to actually listen. It’s time to recognize that we have for too long been dismissive of the thoughts and feelings of anyone who is different – the outsiders. And then, it’s time to act in solidarity and say, “We have heard your voice and we stand in solidarity that this is not acceptable.”
- Denounce white pride/white power movements.
- Look for ways where we can actually listen to the voice of the “other” and not be dismissive.
- Be an active participant in bringing reconciliation between all people.
What do you think? Have you heard any of these racist remarks or seen any racist behavior? Share your story. Please be polite. I will not tolerate rudeness.
**Author’s Note – the original post mentioned a KKK march in North Carolina. Those reports have been debunked. It was a pro-Trump group participating in the “Flagging 40” event. There was no connection there to the KKK.
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