POST 54: Navigating America’s Complicated Racial Past and Present
POST 54
Navigating America’s Complicated Racial Past and Present
Race in America has a complicated history.
It’s a history fraught with hatred, cruelty, and prejudice.
Depending on your own racial background, it may be all too easy to think these complications are a thing of the past—the days of antebellum slavery or the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Or you may be well-aware these conflicts are just as active today as ever, in your life and the lives of others. There is still so much work to be done.
This became evident in an explosive way in May 2020 with the murder of George Floyd. The US, with the entire world, was already reeling from a pandemic when a cell phone video posted by seventeen-year-old Darnella Frazier went viral. The world watched as a Black man pleaded for his life for over nine minutes while a white police officer kneeled on his neck. Though several bystanders shouted concerns and Floyd himself pleaded for breath, the officer refused to move. Eventually, George Floyd’s body went limp.
What Does This Mean for Christ Followers?
The Bible is filled with stories of conflict and war between people from different nations, ethnic groups, and tribes. But God’s desire has always been to create one family made up of every nation, tribe, and language (Revelation 7:9). A beautifully diverse family that is united even in their differences.
In Genesis, God promised to make Abraham the father of many nations (17:5). Thanks to complicated family dynamics, this became true through both Ishmael and Isaac.
Throughout the Old Testament, there are stories of God calling on Israel to be a light to the nations so that God could redeem them.
The prophet Jonah was specifically sent out to preach to the Ninevites and call them to repentance. He had a detour in the belly of a fish, but he made it eventually.
In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills God’s desire. He breaks down the wall of hostility, bringing Jews and Gentiles together (Ephesians 2:14).
Now God’s intent for a multiethnic family is fulfilled. It’s a family that displays unity without uniformity—unity within its diversity.
But humans are still flawed. We hold on to our fears and prejudices. We forget to walk in the freedom that has been given to us. We try to rebuild the wall that has been destroyed.
As Christ followers, we must follow the way of Jesus. We can be honest about the racial history in our country and world. We can lament over the mistreatment of people of color in the US. We can repent for any way we may have participated in this pattern in our culture, knowingly or unknowingly.
In the face of racism and prejudice, we must choose to put on compassion, humility, gentleness, patience, and love. We must ask God to bond us together in unity—unity that does not erase our differences but embraces them.
It’s not an easy task.
There is an enemy who would love for us to stay separated. The sin of racism tries to work its way in to cause division. It’s necessary that we stay alert, pray, and actively push back against racism. We do this by living with humility, forgiveness, and gratitude for the uniqueness of each person. We do this by speaking up and banding together against all forms of racism.
Diversity is beautiful in God’s sight. May we have eyes to see people the way God sees them: with profound love and respect. Part of the family.
READING GOD’S WORD
Therefore, as God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. The peace of Christ must control your hearts—a peace into which you were called in one body. And be thankful people. The word of Christ must live in you richly. Teach and warn each other with all wisdom by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12–17)
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. (Ephesians 2:14 NIV)
REFLECT AND RESPOND
Journaling Questions
Name some of your own experiences with racism in your life so far.
How can you actively push back against racism in your community?
What does unity look like to you?
Pray This Prayer
God, racism is a grave evil. It can be difficult to navigate the racial reality of our world, but help me to be a light in the darkness. Help me to stand up for love, unity, inclusivity, and diversity. In Jesus’ name, amen.
SOMETHING TO TRY
Is there an ethnic group you don’t know much about? In the face of what’s unknown, we can make up stories or believe stereotypes. We might even develop unhealthy fears against certain groups.
Take some time to research an ethnic group you’re unfamiliar with. Learn about their culture, customs, and traditions. This could be your first step in restoration across races.
THE TAKEAWAY
Navigating the racial reality of our world can be messy and difficult, but we are empowered by God to show love and stand against racism.