Disclaimer// As you read, please note I am not speaking for all brothers and sisters of the Christian faith, only from my own experiences and this is by no means an attack, but rather a reflection. If you are concerned about anything I am sharing, please reach out to me to discuss it together. I have much to learn and I would be grateful to hear your opinions. 

It’s been a few months since the unjust murder of George Floyd. Protests and demonstrations are still springing into action across the nation. But the truth is, our nation has been hurting for far longer than just the past few months. We’ve been hurting for as long as this nation has existed, from the systemic racism that is woven into the tapestry of American society to the white supremacy that both explicitly and implicitly blankets this nation. 

As my Instagram feed turned into black squares and my Facebook news flooded with real-time updates on protests, the Black Lives Matter movement has gained powerful traction in recent months. And the pool of privilege I sit in becomes increasingly and undeniably apparent.

Being a Christian dynamically influences how I understand racial injustice in America. Attending a relatively homogenous church and university has unavoidably bred passive indifference and inaction. In small groups and while socializing after service, we deliberately avoid discussions and conversations on racism with our peers for fear of controversy. However, these are topics that need to be actively addressed with our spiritual families if we are to take the first step. 

Christianity in the United States has historically been associated with political conservatism. Now, under Trump’s presidency, openly right-winged racism and xenophobia rhetoric is further established among conservatives, leading to an increasingly fractured Evangelical demographic. Younger Christians are starting to call for greater church engagement on a wide range of social justice issues like racial inclusion in congregations, criminal justice reform, and support for the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Meanwhile, a growing sub-group of Evangelicals claim church engagement on such civil matters is too “divisive,” and prefer to remain silent on these topics. The fact that there even exists this divisiveness in the Church over levels of social justice engagement is frustrating, especially when Christians stress the importance of seeking what is right by protecting the poor and the oppressed, yet uncomfortably divert the conversation as soon as anti-Blackness racism comes up.

As we continue to dialogue with our physical and spiritual families, we have opportunities to renew connections and initiate conversations with those of different races and backgrounds. Finding common ground does not mean endorsing every goal or every value of the people to whom we draw near. But it does mean drawing near. That is at the heart of the vision.

In doing so, we may understand that it is wrong to separate people into categories and see others of a different race, creed, or group with suspicion. We cannot call ourselves followers of Christ even as we attribute negative characteristics to a group of people whom we perceive as different. Neglecting those who are different from us is sin. There is no excuse for it. 

So then, what can we do? How might we begin to confront, address, and reform systemic racism when by definition it appears insurmountable? The answers must come from every place bias is found, but change and healing are possible when we invest time in self-reflection, in reading our Bibles and in talking with God through prayer, seeking his will and asking for forgiveness.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 

We also must rethink what “fairness” means in all aspects of life. Any policy or practice that is racially exclusive or alienates others must be confronted and changed. Much more will be said on this subject in coming posts. For the moment, however, consider how you will respond to the voices of so many calling out for justice and healing. Take advantage of the opportunity to help create lasting change for good and to share the love and message of Jesus Christ.