July 2020: Racism and the Lies We Live
For the past several months the news has been covering two pandemics: the coronavirus and racism. One invaded our country at the end of 2019. The other has been with us for 400 years. If any people of color have been in this country for any length of time, they have most likely encountered both to some degree.
My earliest recollection of racism was as a child. In grammar school, on more than one occasion, I got called “Chink” or “Chinaman.” I recall a little boy taking his index fingers and using them to raise up the sides of his eyes to appear like what he considered Asian. He taunted me saying, “Ching, Chong, Chinaman!” When I got called those names, I glared, and proudly stated, “I’m Japanese!,” as if it would stop the racist behavior from wounding my soul.
Most, if not all, of you reading this have your own stories. And, they shaped how you view the world and see others. Whether or not we are people of color, we each have our own prejudices and racial biases. These are too often cultivated in our own homes.
With the death of George Floyd and too many others, many of us are confronted with our own thoughts and feelings about race and people different from ourselves. We may rail against the injustice exhibited in Floyd’s case, but if we are honest, some prejudice or racial bias may surface. No doubt systemic racism has influenced us, but so have personal experiences, both positive and negative; these have shaped our views about African American people and people of other races and ethnicities. We have formed ungodly beliefs, which are contrary to the nature, character or Word of God. These lies have led to racial bias and prejudice. And, we need to admit it. It’s a good and necessary admission, if positive change is ever to occur.
A second admission also needs to be made: We are part of the problem. If we are Christian, this is a sin issue. Scripture is clear on how we are to “love our neighbor as our self” (Luke 10:27) and “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8). Followers of Jesus, regardless race, are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28; Eph 4:1-4). For those of us who belong to racially homogeneous churches, we need to ask if we are not reflecting the kingdom of God in all its diversity because we are simply more comfortable with “our own kind.”
Thankfully, God is a God of mercy and grace. He told the Israelites, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chron 7:14). Our first response to the injustice so prevalent in America should be to humble ourselves and ask the Lord to examine our hearts (Ps 139:23-24). Then, from a place of our own confession and repentance, we need to name and address the ungodly beliefs we hold relating to other races or ethnic groups. Only then can we begin to move from living lies to living the truth that leads to genuine reconciliation and healing.
Questions to ponder…
What specific ungodly beliefs about race do I personally hold? What experiences or people influenced me to take on those lies?
What do I need to bring before the Lord in confession and repentance? What is God’s word of forgiveness to me as I do that?
What truth does the Lord want to give me to replace the lies I have believed?
How will I act differently to live into the truth God has given me?
Pondering with you,
Arlene