A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article about the “one thing” you can do to begin to address your own racial bias. Some may have thought it simplistic, but I guarantee you that there is nothing simple about it, and that if you successfully do it, it will change everything around you. And if everyone in the world did it well, the entire world would be radically altered. That “one thing” was to learn to see the Imago Dei – the image of God – in the face of every human being, no matter what.
But there really is more to do. Not about your own biases, necessarily, that one thing should take care of that over time. But there is more to do because we are broken people who create broken systems. And now we live in those broken systems that continue to perpetuate not only our own biases, but also the pain and discrimination that is felt by entire races of people – in our country, and in the world.
And here is where it starts getting complicated, because we may be tempted to ask, “What can I – one human – do against a whole system??” Well, as it turns out – a lot. Of course you as an individual are not going to dismantle centuries of racism. But you as an individual can effect change. And if each of us determines to effect change in the ways that we are able, change starts to happen. I had a friend recently ask me what to do, saying she was frustrated that the problems are being called out, but there were no specific action points outlined. So, that’s what I want to do here, in as simple and concrete of a way as possible.
So, let’s begin…
- Learn and Listen
Don’t start trying to effect change without doing some learning first. Here’s the thing, we’ve been fed a sanitized and inaccurate story of our nation’s history. AND a false understanding of motives and origins. This is disorienting and frustrating. It also makes it difficult to know what’s true. Over the past few months, here’s what I know. If it was in my, or my kids’, US History textbooks – it was probably half-true at best, or possibly a completely rewritten narrative. And that feels like a loss. And it feels disorienting.
– Did you learn about vagrancy laws after Reconstruction?
– What about convict leasing?
– Did you study Jim Crow laws in school? Probably not. Most of the people reading this were probably born immediately following Jim Crow, and that doesn’t end up in history books.
– Did you learn about the New Deal’s bad deal for black people and the redlining that came from that?
– How about the GI Bill and how slanted that was against blacks?
– You probably learned about the Trail of Tears and the near annihilation of the Cherokee Nation, but did you learn about the Tulsa Massacre? Rosewood? Atlanta?
So, where do you go to learn a more accurate view of our shame-ridden history, or the laws that have been calculatedly put in place to suppress black people throughout the history of the US? I have found a some good videos that will begin to open your eyes, and allow you to decide what direction to continue to research. Here are a few:- Race in America – this 17-minute video was done by Phil Vischer of Veggie Tales fame. Don’t let his history with talking vegetables, or the fact that he’s a middle-aged white man put you off (as it did me). This video is a GREAT place to start.
- Faith & Prejudice – a new movement of “Christians who are committed to living a life of radical love and humility as demonstrated by Jesus Christ; the type of love and humility that confronts and dismantles racism in America once and for all.” They just did a series of videos around various themes – a history of race in America, race & the church, criminal injustice, the economics of race, etc. which were EXCELLENT. You can view those on their FB page.
- 13th – a very well-done documentary on how the mass incarceration we now face as a nation started as a backlash against the freedom of the slaves. It is heart-breaking, but very informative.
- Read books. Here is a stack that you can start with. They have different themes, but all on the issue of race relations, particularly in America.
- And listen. So, at the moment, if you’re white, it is not time to argue or put forth alternative views. It’s time to listen. Don’t mistake this for being silent. It’s not the same. But it is time to listen. Listen to a woman of color talk about when she was thrown in the back of a cop car when she was EIGHT years old for nothing. Listen to a biracial woman try to figure out her identity when she constantly felt forced to choose. Listen to the stories of people with color without any agenda except to hear – and feel – and empathize – and learn.
And this is important – be ready to give up what you thought you knew. Be ready to be uncomfortable. Be ready to realize you were wrong about some things you thought. This is hard. But it’s a must.
2. Pray
Our country is in a battle with principalities and powers. Jesus calls his followers to true unity – JUST LIKE HE AND THE FATHER ARE ONE! That is extreme unity. Satan is diametrically opposed to unity, love, fellowship, harmony, reconciliation – or anything like that. The racial injustice that we have been living in for hundreds of years is not a mistake. It is not even a construct of greedy European settlers and colonists who needed black human machinery to succeed economically. It is an agenda of the Evil One. Not only do we have to NOT cooperate with him in this, we also need to actively oppose him. Prayer is essential. And then some more prayer.
3. Advocate
Wherever you take note that racism and racial injustice is at play – DO SOMETHING. Do not remain silent. Racially-slanted jokes? Ask them to stop. Someone makes a racially-charged comment and you are there? Say something. Call it out for what it is. Notice a black person being harassed? Step in and defend. We cannot continue to look away. We MUST begin to call a spade a spade and do something. Will that disrupt the “peace?” Well, if your life is currently filled with peace in racially diverse situations with tension – you are not only privileged, you are part of the problem. So yes. Disrupt the façade of peace among white people. That is the only way change will come.
4. Protest
Yes, protest. You don’t have to go out and break windows in shops. No, but you can go walk in a protest holding a well-thought-out sign and standing in solidarity with people of color. You can sign petitions for justice for those who have been slaughtered while our law enforcement agencies and courts look the other way. You can write your city, state, and national officials and ask for changes in policy. (See #1 first…)
5. Give generously
We can’t all do everything. But we can all do something. And we can look for those who are doing the right thing, and empower them. There are many organizations working at deep levels to correct systems of injustice in our country. You may not be able to join the actual fight given your current circumstances, but you can help them do it on your behalf. You can be part of the team. Give your money, give your time, give your skills and expertise. They are always in need of more, I assure you. I run a non-profit working for justice for oppressed people. I know of what I speak…
If you need some suggestions:
– Equal Justice Initiative
– Be the Bridge
– The & Campaign
– One Race Movement
– John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation
And last, but not least…
6. Vote Pro-LIFE – not anti-abortion
As Christians we are far too often known for what we are against, but not what we’re FOR. Many (most?) Christians claim to be pro-life. But what they really mean is that they are anti-abortion. That’s not the same thing. You cannot say you are pro-life and not care about black men and boys slaughtered on the streets. You cannot say you are pro-life and not do something about little Honduran children locked in cages on our border. You cannot say you are pro-life and not be alarmed at the amount of gun violence in our country – more often perpetrated by white men than black men – massacring dozens of people at a time, including children. You cannot say you are pro-life and be nonchalant about the millions of people in our own country living in extreme, life-threatening poverty. “Oh, that’s because of the choices they’ve made,” you say.
Is it?? Are you sure? So sure you’d stake their life on that claim? Please go back to #1 above and start over…
It is time we take a hard look at what we say and do in the name of “life.” Are you really FOR LIFE? Or are you just opposed to abortion?? Cuz, me too. But that doesn’t mean I get to turn a blind eye to the ways that thousands of lives – already walking around outside of a womb – are slaughtered, massacred, denigrated, demeaned, and oppressed. Something is wrong if that’s your angle. Christians, we have to get our words straightened out. If you want to only vote against abortion, that’s fine. Do that. But then say that. Don’t say you are voting for life. Because you are not.
We have an election coming up. You get to make some challenging choices. Don’t default on your “pro-life” stance. BE for LIFE! All life. Born AND unborn. Black and white. Poor and wealthy. Incarcerated and free. You can help shift the locus of power in this country, giving people of color a voice in the conversation, in the laws, in the policies, and in the society.
If that line rubs you wrong, return to #1 above. Because you have not yet gotten the point.
Life.
Love.
Imago Dei.
These are the issues at hand.
What will you do?
