I know many scoff at anyone who suggests they are not racist. Hillary Clinton stated this past week that we’re all racist to a degree…and while I would like to think that’s not true, I am willing to concede that man is inherently sinful and often prejudiced toward others who are not like him.
But as a boy growing up in a small, rural community in northwestern Pennsylvania in the 1940-50s, I honestly grew up with very little prejudice. Maybe it was the example set by my Christian parents, or the friendships established with African-American kids in our town with whom I played little league, or the influence of our small church which had an African-American man in leadership as an elder. For four years, my Little League coach was a much-loved black man whose sons were my friends. And today, I have good friends who are African-American.
It took me a while to understand my life-experience was not necessarily the norm for many white Americans from my generation. And that has made it difficult for me to understand the hostility that exists in the hearts of some whites toward people of color. Nor can I empathize with blacks who claim to be frequent victims of white oppression. It certainly exists but I admit I could easily miss recognizing it.
Last week, I was sickened as I watched videos of two men dying after being shot by police officers. While so much about these incidents is still unknown, watching anyone take their final breaths is horrific and understandably enraging – especially if the deaths could have been prevented.
As a father of a white police officer, I also trembled at the news that an angry sniper, seeking retaliation for the killings of two black men by white police officers, had ambushed police officers in Dallas, Texas killing five and wounding seven others. I fear for the safety of my son and police officers in cities across the country. It saddens me that numerous African Americans are suspicious of the police and even hate the police. This tempestuous situation now threatens the future security of our nation possibly more than Islamic terrorism.
Over the years I have offered countless prayers on behalf of my son, not only for his safety, but also that he would make correct split-second decisions under stress. I’m proud of the service my son has given to our community and proud that he is a Christian of strong moral character. He’s a conscientious officer who takes his job seriously. He tries to treat every person with respect and dignity. He too has close friends who are African-American. He also loves coaching and mentoring youth and, in his spare time, he serves as volunteer President of a youth football league which is majority African American.
The vast majority of police officers aren’t racist. Like many officers, my son volunteered to work in a high crime area that happened to be predominantly African American. He has shared exciting stories of valor as well as heart-warming stories of officers serving and assisting individuals in those communities. I believe the majority of officers risking their lives in high-crime areas do so because they genuinely care about protecting the lives of those who live in those communities. Because those lives matter to them they are willing to sacrifice theirs.
I also believe the vast majority of African Americans aren’t bitter about the overall treatment they receive each day. And I believe the vast majority of white people want to correct the racial injustices and get the issues behind us. Sadly, incidents like the ones we’ve witnessed this past week are serving to further divide the citizens of our country and provoke dangerous hostilities. Blacks and whites are on the verge of regarding one another with suspicion and negating 150 years of significant progress in race relations.
Racism was also prevalent in Jesus’ day. The Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. But Jesus went to Samaria, sat down by a well and struck up a conversation with a Samaritan woman. He made a Samaritan man the hero of one of his famous stories. Jesus intentionally improved race relations by simply talking with, listening to and showing respect for those who made a few others feel uncomfortable. He then provided the ultimate cure for racial hatred by dying on the cross to forgive our sins and transform our hearts.
My appeal to all who read this column, especially fellow-believers both black and white, is this: Let’s not let a few rogue policemen or vengeful snipers or angry pundits negatively impact our relationships with each other. If we have to, let’s bend over backwards to look each other in the eye, smile, speak and treat one another with respect. I like what Bo Jackson, the former NFL football star, put on his Facebook page this week. He just encouraged his readers to do an act of kindness for a stranger of a different race.
God’s Word teaches us to “sit where they sit” and to consider others more highly than ourselves. When the opportunity arises let’s be transparent about feelings and experiences and listen to each other without rancor or accusation. At the very least, let’s assume positive intentions toward one another while checking out the facts.
Cover of Summer 2016 Issue of “One Body” Magazine depicting Peewee Reese with Jackie Robinson
Pee Wee Reese, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, set the pace for improving race relations in the 50’s. When Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball, Pee Wee befriended him. Once when the normally dependable Robinson made a couple of errors, the Brooklyn fans began to boo their African American second baseman. There’s a famous painting of shortstop Pee Wee Reese standing at second base, during a lull in the action, with his arm around Jackie Robinson. That example of solidarity and caring quieted the crowd and the racial hostilities gradually simmered down from that point on.
The best thing Christians of all races can do for the current volatile situation in our country is not to simply promote more dialogues or more marches. I believe the best thing we can do is simply be kind to each other, befriend one another, stand together arm in arm and communicate we are one in the spirit and one in the bond of love. In Christ there is no Jew nor Greek or black or white. We are one in Christ Jesus.
“…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:1-6).
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