Racism was never God's heart for humanity. God is a God of unity and justice. And if you call yourself a Christian, then you are a leader! Whether a parent, sibling or a friend. You have a responsibility.
Disclaimer: This is going to challenge you to try and think differently for the cause of justice. If you are one of those who struggle to take in a different perspective without making an irrelevant argument or justification or if you're one of those who think they are too good to do a self-evaluation on matters that break the heart of God and affect the world, please do not read past this point.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." Proverbs 31:8
Justice
God is the foundation of love and justice. In the worldly sense, justice pertains to the retribution for a wrong committed. For pain inflicted on the innocent. It’s Payback! But I’ve been studying it in the biblical sense. What God actually intended it to be. The Bible describes justice as being one of the attributes of God’s character. He’s a God of justice. He is love. He calls us to fight for love. That is, to fight to love people, in spite of our background, skin colour or shortcomings. In fighting for love, we fight for justice. We’ve all had to confront or had the opportunity to confront the issue of racism, xenophobia or gender based violence one way or another (even if the opportunity was passed on in the attempt to avoid being uncomfortable). Whether you’ve been a victim or know someone who’s been a victim, it’s there and it’s real. But how does justice prevail? What is the achievement of justice in a world that is broken and suffering? The answer is LOVE. If we were intentional in love, the injustices we face today would not exist. Being silent is a form of not being intentional with love. We cannot, as Christians, say that we love, but remain passive in things that matter the most to the heart of God. Passivity manifests itself in the following ways:
1. The refusal to educate yourself about another person's pain.
In Hosea 4:6 the bible clearly states that "My people perish because of the lack of knowledge." If we are to see justice, we need to educate ourselves about the pains attached to being a person of colour. It is an injustice to sit in comfort while people who are in pain are crying out to be heard. This includes refusing to understand the pains associated with certain cultures, ethnicity or even genders while first judging, assuming or making your own conclusions. Think for a moment, 'perhaps there is a story beyond what I thought I knew'. 'Perhaps I don't understand as much as I thought I did'. Take some time, and listen. Don't argue. Listen. Justice comes from listening to the cry of those who are (at any moment) vulnerable.
2. When we sweep reality under the carpet.
All in hopes that it will go away and you don't need to talk about it. You have a responsibility.
3. When you don't Show up! the bible says "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn." (Romans 12:15) If one thing affects a person, don’t take the backseat and say “this doesn’t affect me”. If we’re going to see justice, we need to understand that it is all of our business- not just black people. Not just foreigners. By enabling it, you’re taking steps backwards. LOVE is not passive.
I want to conclude this section by saying this; the devil uses passivity, inaction and the lack of knowledge as a tool to destroy (I will write on this topic in another blog).
PASSIVITY
I have seen many angry posts on social media about how some people have been silent about what's happening. I took some time to dive into this (self-evaluation is always so important!) As Christians, everything we do MUST be filtered by the Holy Spirit. That means, He is the One who shows us the HOW. 'How do we use our voices?' There is nothing at all wrong with using social media as a voice. In fact, I for one believe it is one of the most powerful tools in today's day and age. However, let us not limit it to just that and feel that it is the only "true form" of a voice or lack thereof. This is one of the ways, again, that the enemy disarms us.
When we look at the definition of silence and 'using your voice' in the context of racism, it does not only mean posting on social media. It's in our friendship circles. How do you and your friends or family speak about people of colour? Using your voice means having very difficult and uncomfortable conversations to bridge the gap, to educate, and to heal. Don't be afraid to ask questions. That is how we learn. Ask a person of colour what their story is. Don't just assume. Being silent also means that you are not taking responsibility to befriend someone who is not like you. A different culture and different background. Whether you are black or white.
As Christians, we have been called to fight for justice and be the voice for the voiceless. Those who are hurting and have been hurting for years. To be a voice for those who are vulnerable, whether we are directly affected by it or not. But in order to fight for justice and be a voice for the voiceless, we need to be educated.
Racism
Racism is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior. It is the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.
I wanted to start by explaining what Racism means so that we are on the same page. We spend a lot of time defending and fighting the effects and fruits of racism (violence, inequality, pain etc) and we miss the mark. There is a difference between racism and the fruits of racism. Fruits take long to develop. But the seed is there. As long as you continue to feed it, it will be nourished and will grow. The fruits of racism grow when we refuse to be honest with what is in our hearts.
I was born black, female and a foreigner. That means, I have been a victim of racism, xenophobia and gender discrimination. It is not something that was left behind after apartheid, or something that we think no longer exists. I experience it when I go to the shops, when I go to for a walk, to the dentist, everywhere.
The reason I started with this statement is to say this; I noticed that some people on social media get offended with this word 'Racism'. You know why? Because we have lost its meaning. When we lose the meaning of something, we cannot solve it or reach any kind of consensus in the way that we build the world going forward. Everyone begins to fight everyone. We spend time defending why we are not racist because we confuse it with the fruits of racism. Not realizing that the lack of fruit, does not mean the lack of a healthy growing seed.That is where the issue lies. Yes, racism is something that is taught. But did you know that racism can also be subconscious? You will never know whether racism exists in your heart unless you do a heart-check.
Are you aware of the thoughts you're thinking when you see a person of colour in a fancy car? What are your first thoughts? Are you thinking that they stole it? Borrowed from a white friend? Bought on credit? What about when you see a woman with her beautiful natural hair? Not permed, not straightened, not braided. Just natural. Do you think it doesn't fit the standard of the preconceived idea of what a woman's hair should look like? What about when you happen to bump into a person of colour at the grocery store while you do your shopping. Where do you assume that they live? What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you see a young black woman in casual clothes shopping at Woolies?(Woolworths) Does that surprise you? Does it look odd? Just a little? Why?
That is racism. If everything seems normal when your race does it, and as soon as a person of colour steps in, it becomes an element of surprise. It is in these subtle little thoughts in ones mind that you are able to do a self-evaluation. Hold yourself accountable. Does racism live in your heart? (Please read the definition of racism again before you answer). If you answered "yes" to any of these questions (even if its just one), then that seed needs to be uprooted.
If your answer to these questions were "no", and you are honest with yourself and have done a heart-check, then that is really GOOD! Now it's your responsibility to educate. It is not enough to just say "I am not a racist". Go look for family members and friends who do not get it yet. Help them understand that this is a serious issue. Teach your children. 'We don't treat people differently because of the colour of their skin. Injustice is not okay. God loves everyone. The colour of our skin does not make us superior." Be intentional. You are an advocate. An ambassador for the King of Justice Himself. And if you can't do that or do not want to, then you are still part of the problem. Part of the injustice.
The bible also says that "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). Believe that racism is wrong. Believe that injustice has no place in this world, in Jesus' Name. Believe that there will be restoration and equality. Believe... but also act!
God is love. God is Justice. God is not passive.
*Picture from Pintrest. Credit to respective owners.