Racism. It's a loaded word in our day and age. But it's a reality,
even though we all bleed the same, we judge people I guess to make ourselves
feel better? I'm not quite sure what the benefits of racism are, all I see are
the devastating effects.
Last night, I listened to a
white girl try to tell a group of African American girls that even though her
grandmother is racist, she's not. She, after all, has a black boyfriend. Of
course she's not racist.
But is she?
I am white, and I felt awkward
listening to her. I knew what she was trying to say, but the way she got there
was so... wrong. It felt like she was getting in racist jabs and then able to
say oh no, that's not me, I'm not racist.
And I let her keep on. Aren't I
just as much to blame?
I tried to explain to her
tonight how she offended the other girls, but she was like, no, if they'd
listened to me they would know and understand the racist one was my
grandmother, I'm not like her. So, she refuses to apologize to them.
Which leaves me in a sticky
place.
I think... being there, I'm
aware of my privilege as an educated white person. I try to act like race is
not an issue. But of course it is. And, I am the only white girl working
there.
I wish, I had interrupted that
girl. She was... so ugly with what she said. Yet at the end, her claim of not
being racist, was just supposed to erase all the hurtful things she said before
that?
I don't know the protocol when
it comes to diffusing racist comments and attitudes. But I know I could have
reacted better in that specific situation, so now hopefully I'm better equipped
for next time.
I guess... I see all people, of
all backgrounds, all races, all cultures, well, we're all made in God's image,
and we are different, yet we're the same, and yet, all of our differences make
us unique and beautiful!
I know my own friendships and
personal life does not reflect the diversity I would like it to, although I had
a friend from grad school who is black, but I haven't kept up with her well. I
don't know.
I know I wish my church
reflected the diversity of the city more.
Well, our city is racially and socio-economically divided. All you
have to do is take a map, fold it into fourths, and you can trace the divide
straight down.
So how can we overcome the divide?
I want my life to reflect the same diversity we should see in the
body of Christ, I want people from all different backgrounds and cultures and
beliefs as a part of my life! I’ve always thought it would be cool to do a
Bible study with a group of non-believers to get their insight and perspective.
I always thought I’d be a missionary to a far off country,
reaching out to a unique culture, offering the peace, hope, joy, and life of
Christ. But I’m here. There are still many people here of diverse backgrounds,
so what’s stopping me from making them my friends now?
I think… this is going to take more intentionality on my part. Because
we tend to naturally gravitate towards people who are like us. But that’s
because it’s so easy. Maybe true community isn’t just easy. Confronting racism
is not easy.
But, it’s got to be done.
I keep thinking, maybe racism is what is mundane. And maybe
offering true, deep, diverse, faith filled community is what is miraculous for
us to offer. Because Christ’s blood is what brings us all together, we’re all
the same, in that we all are in need of a savior. The cross is for all.
I’m going to keep thinking about this, because there’s more to
chew on. But that’s what I have so far.
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