still happening
I received a phone call, recently, from a person asking me about church leadership. I didn’t know the person at all, however the Director of Missions from his local association had given him my number to help consult his church during my transition from my previous church. As we talked about my upcoming schedule he asked me about a particular date, in which I replied I would be at the Nashville Black History Month Conference. His response? “The people at our church wouldn’t be ok if any of them joined one Sunday.”
I was floored. I was angry. I was hurt.
Having, had several of these types of conversations lately with church leaders, I have been reminded that what shouldn’t be an issue any longer in the World, is still an issue in the South. But here’s the thing, racism isn’t just about African-Americans vs. Caucasians. Racism is the belief that all members of a particular race have characteristics that are specific to that race, and that something about that race makes it inferior or superior to another race or races.
Here’s my question this afternoon: Are you racist? If you don’t know, I’ve come up with a few ways to help you decide (please add more questions in the comments section):
1) You’ve been known to say, “They have their kind of church, and we have ours.”
2) You use the phrase “those people” to talk about a race.
3) You find yourself laughing at derogatory statements made about a specific race. Sometimes you encourage those statements.
4) If in the car, you suddenly make sure the doors are locked if a member of a particular race is standing on the curb.
5) You would be angry if your child dated another race.
I’m convinced that we cannot be the people God created us to be if we can’t love those around us. Jesus said “Love God” and “Love people.” The bottom line is that we aren’t loving people if we are racist. And maybe even greater than that, we aren’t respecting God, when we don’t care for the people He died for.
Racism is still alive and happening in my town right now. I had a crazy altercation at Walmart the other day (to make a long story short), in which I saw a white woman and a black woman get in a yelling match. The white woman next to me said, “You know, this used to be an all-white town. Those were the days.” I didn’t have a CLUE what to say. Looking back, I should probably have said something, but I was so floored.
thanks for your post – keep the love flowing!
mark, sometimes in the heat of the moment and when shocked it is hard to stand up for the right things. thanks for pursuing equality. you rock!
Good post. Found you on Twitter.
Apparently it does still exist. Racial prejudice is still promoted in society very subtly. I think it’s perpetuated by our own races about themselves most often. It’s tough to say that we are all created equal and then say that you can’t dance because you’re “too white” or “how can you be black and not know this rap song?” or whatever. I think it would take a lot more time of people of different races actually living together in the same neighborhoods and doing the same things before people’s mindsets can change. But that’s just the beginning.
quiet entertainer i agree. i live in a super diverse neighborhood and love it, yet we still see issues daily. i long for the day they stop…
So glad you posted this! I could not agree more! It amazes how many people believe racism is just a thing of the past. People fear what they don’t know, but don’t take the time to gain the correct knowledge. They just listen to the stereotypes without ever reaching out to find the truth and the facts for themselves. People don’t realize that every person, of all colors and backgrounds, can be so amazing, you just have to let them be. It’s way too often we write people off at just a glance without ever giving them a chance. Jesus never said to love just people with white skin, or the people of the same race as you, but that is what a lot of people in the church do. It holds people back from truly doing the work we as Christians are supposed to be doing which ultimately keeps people from not wanting anything to do with God because all they see are Christians who won’t even say hello to them, instead of Jesus. How are we going to show people Jesus if we turn our heads? I’ll never understand how people can determine someone’s worth by the color of their skin, and racism is a topic that can really get me fired up, but I’ll keep it short here :-]
Most excellent post…This nasty festering sore just won’t go away. It gets a little better, forms a scab, and then something or someone comes along and reopens the wound.The “church” as a whole should be ashamed for all they have NOT done to heal this discord that keeps ripping us apart instead of building unity and strength. It’s not just the south…it’s the north, east and west. It’s the entire world. We all are bigots and don’t you dare lie and say you are not. We all find reasons to hate and exclude instead of following what Jesus taught in Matthew 22:36-40. I am sad for those church leaders that just don’t get it and keep leading their “flock” astray.
Great post Matt. . . There definitely is still racism in the world, but I believe that our generation has taken great steps to stop it. Recently I had lunch with 2 friends, both African American. One is traveling a lot for work to small towns in KY and was a little taken aback by the dirty looks she was getting especially when she went out to dinner with a white male co-worker. We talked about how it doesn’t even occur to think of each other by what race we are. It really didn’t even cross my mind that I was having lunch with my “black” friends. I was just having lunch with my friends. I can only hope and pray that our children will do even better than us. I know I will raise my children to not see color.
betsy, you are awesome. so glad to be in this journey with you. thanks for your wisdom. i get fired up over the issue too…
i agree mike. thanks for your honesty and vulnerability. let’s join together in continuing to pray for the church leaders in the world.
thanks stacey. i pray alyson and i raise our children better too. let’s keep each other in our prayers over it.
I am so sorry that individuals are so cold and hard hearted and full of hate. Hate sounds hard racism is a hard deep seated issue. The ironic thing is that so many individuals would say they have love in their heart yet they are so careful about who will receive that love. I am so glad that there are those who truly love people. They see people and not color, race, culture….just people. Jesus loved people. True followers….love people. Thanks so much for the post. It takes us all speaking into the lives of those around us. Hopefully we can make a difference.
you’re right. we definitely have to speak into the lives of the people around us… and like you, i believe we CAN make a difference. thanks for the reminder!
jesus said the poor would always be with us. i say sadly so will the racists. we have a lot of work to do.
Mathew you touched on a subjec very dear to my heart. Its a topic of conversation those on “both” sides of the issue are not willing to talk about. Let alone tackle. I truly believe that we must start addressing this issue in the church, then and only then can change occur. Each of us must ask the questions you listed above, no matter what the color of our skin.
roland, we do have a lot of work to do. i truly pray that one day racism will be no more. at least i’m going to work for that to happen…
Cyndi – thank you for your vulnerability. Let’s continue to encourage one another in this. I agree that this must be addressed in the church. Join me in praying for pastors across the country to be brave and bold in preaching on this issue.