Gracism: The Counter-point To Racism
One of the most important topics in Next Gen leadership is racism. Especially because Gen Z & Alpha Gen are the two most diverse generations in American history. (BARNA) But we cannot have the discussion of racism without also introducing the counter-point of Gracism.
Gracism is simply seeing the value of ethnicity or class or culture that is different from our own.
“We can't ignore color, class, or culture. Instead, we must engage matters of race with a different posture and embrace radical inclusion of the marginalized.” -David A. Anderson, in his book Gracism
If we could put the pen in the hand of America’s teenagers and young people, they could write a new narrative on reconciliation and unity.
Seeing The Hues
I see color, and it’s beautiful.
Color, background, and history have very important meaning and great significance. We cannot lose the DNA of each person God has created. Every one of us is created with a specific purpose. Unique. One of a kind. And that means male and female, young and old, rich and poor, or black and white.
Don’t forget the value of the color wheel and the different hues on the palette. It is what makes the world come alive.
Do you understood implicit and explicit bias, inclusion, and INTER- culturalism? Are you educating yourself by reading, or following people unlike you on social media, or meeting with and listening to a diversity of people? How are you becoming a better human right now?
We will never be able to overcome racism without the supernatural love and grace of Christ. It is simply the difference in the discussion. Why? Because in Christ we recognize the unique creation and equality of every person.
So, I see color. And it’s beautiful.
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.
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. What I’m saying is that I want this to become everyone’s perspective. To 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 39 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. Equality and inclusion on sports teams, in classrooms, on the job, in blended homes, and worshipping together in youth groups across our nation. But we do not get to see this.
Finally
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 and explicit. It is not merely implicit. 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.
So, I see color. And it’s beautiful.