Racism 3 – Conclusion
What I believe we need to look at within this issue is not simply which party was right or wrong in any issue like this or how it should have been handled afterwards or how someone should have reacted. We don’t even need to look at the racism in our own country. If the climate of our country is to improve in regards to this issue, we must look at ourselves.
With this particular issue, as I’ve talked to friends about their thoughts (whether or not racism exists or has improved), I’ve often heard the phrase, “Well if they would just…” or, “They need to….” Think about it. If someone were to ask you and you were to share your honest opinion on the subject, would you have a phrase similar to that in your explanation of your opinion? Would all the problems be solved if “THEY” (whoever they are) would just realize “our” perspective and the ways we’ve struggled? If “they” would just get over “insert event from the past” then everything could improve? OR how about this one – “Most of “them” are just so “insert negative characteristic” and “they” always have to “insert negative societal behavior”.
More important than “they”, what about you? What thoughts and feelings and stereotypes do you harbor? If you have a “they” statement in your set of opinions, that’s racism! Racists believe that their own race is superior to someone else’s. If a whole group of people need to just do x, y, and z, then you are placing the problem of racism onto the other group. THEY have something they need to fix (not us), so we are superior to them. This is not my quote, AND I can’t remember where I found it… (sorry whoever said this originally!), but, it’s good:
“Fallen, sinful human hearts are always going to be subject to the temptation to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think (Romans 12:3), which is the root of all prejudice. As Christians we have a divinely mandated obligation to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39), which means allowing the Holy Spirit to eliminate all prejudice and bigotry and to produce the agape love which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of yielded believers. (Galatians 5:22)”
I think we have to look within ourselves and figure out in our heart of hearts what feelings we have there. I think we have to be conscious also about hearing what comes in, especially if you live in an area prone to racism….
Enough on the subject… it’s been enlightening for me – hope it has for you too! I really do desire that our country has a revival in this issue – and many more!
