There Is Hope For Healing Racism In America
It can seem like there is no hope when we look at the inequality and injustice of racism in America. When we see systemic racism in the form of food deserts, pay wage discrepancy, implicit bias, and white privilege. But, as we have seen recently in the uprising of millions around the world taking a stand against injustice, I believe there are many reasons why we are going to see healing of the racial divide in our country.
Positive Signs
Try and look beyond this moment. The existence of racist traits in some do not create a meme that is out of control and ultimately damns an entire nation. For a moment, let's step back and look at the positive. It really is there.
We must be careful of generalization.
Is it that easy to label America as a drunken nation because drunk driving kills 50,000 annually? Or to call America a terrorist nation because there have been terrorist attacks on our soil? Or that we are a divorced nation because half of our marriages end in divorce? Or that America is an ignorant nation because youth test scores are ranked toward the bottom of almost every top ten educational list worldwide?
No, the existence of the narrative around these social issues does not damn an entire nation to the argument. In the face of the systemic racism in America, let me offer several reasons why I believe our nation is heading in the right direction and that diversity and gracism is going to win and racism is going to lose.
Have hope. There are signs if we choose to see them. After all, we get what we celebrate.
Here is why I believe racism is going to lose.
Because of the goodness that exists in humanity. I know that we are not naturally good - that we lock the doors of our homes, do not treat each other very well some times, and are selfish. However, there is a piece of God our creator in all of us. Just look around if you are willing. I do not believe that it is anecdotal, or, slighted evidence. Goodness is all around us.
As a white evangelical male living in an urban intercultural setting, I want my friends of color to enjoy the same kind of experience that I enjoy - take a look at these examples:
On a regular basis, as I walk to my bank that is predominantly employed by Somali's, I am greeted with smiles, handshakes, and hugs by Adil and Sahmun and Sami. I shop at the grocery store that is filled with every race and ethnicity and the door is held for me, someone assists me kindly to find something, I help a person with their child, and another person let’s me go in front of them in the line because I don’t have many items. Almost all of my intercultural neighbors in this city treat me and each other with respect and value and laughter.
Before you say it, of course I understand that some people will say these things are trivial and insignificant and from a white person’s perspective. But I see this behavior increasing across racial and ethnic lines repeated in cities across America.
We cannot let the bigoted and racist few get all of the publicity and define our generation.
Because mainstream news media does not control and is not pop to the US population under 30. About 40% of Americans are under 30 years of age. That is somewhere around 130 million people. The Milennials and the Gen Z (teens today) are not swayed by the nightly news and what they have to say about racism. Because it is not what teenagers believe about each other.
Let’s look at the coverage of the protests across America.
I am encouraged that much of the crowd demonstrating in these protests and rallies is younger and very diverse. And they are speaking against the prevailing issue of racism. Knowing this generation, it is not just happening in a protest rally.
Has that hit you? What would happen if the mainstream media would televise the thousands of diverse demonstrators of gracism across America doing acts of diversity daily?
There are many young people who are not shown in the mainstream media living and demonstrating in daily diversity and unity at school, work, and play. They laugh together, shop together, study together, play together, worship together, marry together, and vote together.
What would mainstream television be saying about diversity and racism if it were controlled by young people? That narrative would be much more compelling and interesting. And maybe flood our country with hope instead of despair.
Because young people care what race you are in their relational and social circles. Did you hear that correctly? Read it again. They care deeply and value the differences. For 36 years I have worked with young people in suburban, urban, and rural settings. And, outside of the broadcast and print media, I see healing and unity in America in this younger generation. But we do not get to see this.
Of course racism exists. You have heard me state that throughout this article. But it exists in the midst of growing gracism too. Among the genuine love and acceptance of many more people who are gracist than the racists who get the publicity. Oh, racism is systemic. But it is being smothered by young people who care deeply about what color their best friend is or what nation their neighbor is from. They care deeply and value those differences.
On the Manhattan Beach Pier in California, I watched my grandson dancing with another boy from India while the parents looked on. It was inspiring. And then I thought to myself, I hope that he will grow up and be willing to dance spontaneously with anyone no matter their race or religious belief or economic tier when he is 16.
Maybe racism is something we learn from adults who haven't grown up yet.
Because Athletic teams have grown beyond the race issue and embraced diversity. I didn’t say they have grown out of the race issue, but, these teams have modeled race relations very well for many years. Even in the midst of the present conversations with the NFL and racial setbacks such as ownership, the Rooney Rule for equity hires, and comments by the privileged few recently.
Learn from the deep friendships that are modeled in competitive sports in elementary school, middle school, high school, collegiate, and professional sports. In both the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. Teammates of all races and ethnicity who would die for each other on the field, the court, and even the street. There are many things that athletics can teach us, but maybe foremost of all is the diversity that exists in the team mentality and the unity of brother- and sister- hood.
As a coach at the high school, AAU, and collegiate level, I have witnessed the diversity of thousands of teens who are on the same athletic team in front of a diverse crowd of family in the stands, working side by side in practice, doing team meals together, having sleep-overs, and car pooling. Let that picture become a greater meme that shapes our belief and ultimately our language.
”Gen Z is 51% non-white. It is the first generation to be majority diverse.” (Barna) This is a huge advantage for the teenagers today and will help them make their mark on our nation.
Because the bible states that racism is a sin. Theology is clear about prejudice and preference. Of course, I am not naive to the mistreatment and dishonoring of the slave system and the mistreatment and racism of any person throughout biblical history. But there is a lack of education, and a misunderstanding of the clarity of the bible and its stance on racism.
In a flurry of NT support, we see that the preferential treatment of anyone, regardless of their race, social status, or economic makeup, is supported by Jesus emphatically (Matthew 5.21-26 and 43-47, Luke 6.31-42, John 17), Paul multiple times (Romans 12.9-17, 1 Corinthians 13, Galatians 3.28, Ephesians 4.1-6), and by James, the brother of Jesus, as “the sin of partiality” (James 2.1-9). And don’t forget, the last visions of bible history as John wrote under the anointing of the Holy Spirit included every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping together for eternity under the name of Christ (Revelation 5, 7, 20, 21, and 22).
Finally
I believe there is racism in America. But. I do not believe that racism is going to win. And that is the beginning of the healing that we need - admitting the problem. While recognizing the solution is happening in front of us also.
Please listen to Gen Z. They are the new Social Justice and Race Relations model in America. Everywhere I go I see this picture of healing. It just happens to be a different state at a different event and a different set of students.
We have a lot of work to do, but, we have a lot to work with! We must accept the responsibility to bring the powerful and prevalent message of gracism to our nation and seeing the inter-geneRACIAL power that exists.
The principles of one generation will become the practices of the next. I will choose the principle of gracism over racism. So that the generation after me will have a better chance to win.