Dear Reader,
Let me start by saying that science says there is one human race with many ethnic groups—none of which are better than any other, all of which Christ died for. If we keep making racial distinctions, we will stay divided. A house divided cannot stand.
We also need to put things into perspective. The issue of hate, prejudice, and bigotry is not unique to the United States. Anywhere there are different ethnic groups living in close proximity to one another there are issues. A cursory web search of global current events will prove this point. The issue of hate, prejudice, bigotry is not unique to our time. Since Cain and Able this has been a problem that has plagued the human race. History is rife with wars, oppression, genocides and other deplorable acts based on ethnicity. We are our own worst enemy. Even inside an ethnic group there are prejudices based on social status, origin of birth, accent, even being too white, too black, too brown. These things have always happened and, unless there are huge changes in mankind, will continue to happen. Does that make it okay? Of course not!
We obviously need answers. However, the answer is not found in finger pointing, shaming, or bringing up past atrocities. We can’t move forward if we continue to carry the burden of the past. Every ethnic group is guilty of past prejudices and hate. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Change needs to start with ourselves. We need to stop with the “They always do this” and “They always do that” over-generalizations. Those things promote division and teach future generations the same mindset. We need to see crimes that are committed as crimes against humanity. The odds are high that every day in America an individual of every ethnic group commits a crime against another ethnic group. We can focus on the ethnicity and continue to be divided or we can focus on the problem and move toward change.
The problem is a lack of empathy, respect, and concern for the well-being of others. If we all really want change, I’m not convinced everyone wants to change. If we all showed basic common respect and decency, the Bible calls it love, toward one another (Rom. 13:10). If we all treated each other as we would like to be treated (Matt. 7:12), then, only then, could we make real change. As long as there are evil people doing evil things to innocent people there will be in injustice. As long as people consider themselves to be superior to others, there will be prejudices. We can’t let this be in our hearts, in our homes, and in the church. “Love one another” – Jesus (John 13:34).