Something I have observed is that when it comes to racism and theories for understanding racism, everyone has an opinion. Yet, many of us aren’t really in the place for “having an opinion,” per se, on racism.
Racism is a real-life experience that brothers and sisters of color have. As Jesus followers, we ought to have empathy for those who experience it, and our opinions should be formed by their experiences in light of what Scripture teaches regarding depravity and humanity.
2020 was a moment to empathize with people of color; not a moment to have an opinion about racism.
As we remember MLK, today, let’s lay aside our opinions about racism and try to empathize with those who have had to deal with it.
It is understandable that the white community should fear the outbreak of riots. They are indefensible as weapons of struggle, and Negroes must sympathize with whites who feel menaced by them. Indeed, Negroes are themselves no less menaced, and those living in the ghetto always suffer most directly from the destructive turbulence of a riot.
Yet, the average white person also has a responsibility. He has to resist the impulse to seize upon the rioter as the exclusive villain. He has to rise up with indignation against his own municipal, state and national governments to demand that the necessary reforms be instituted which alone will protect him. If he reserves his resentment only for the Negro, he will be the victim by allowing those who have the greatest culpability to evade responsibility.
Social justice and progress are the absolute guarantors of riot prevention. There is no other answer. Constructive social change will bring certain tranquility; evasion will merely encourage turmoil.
Negroes hold only one key to the double lock of peaceful change. The other is in the hands of the white community.
-Martin Luther King Jr. “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” p. 22.
There are several things I’d like to change in the quote above. A few sentences I’d add some further explanation to, if I had written the words. But that would be me failing to seize the moment for empathy and instead interjecting my opinion on the matter.
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I’d even have some theological thoughts, some “spiritual insights” to adjust or correct the statements to better fit with what I believe Scripture teaches–or with what makes me feel less uncomfortable. The thing I’ve realized as I lean-in and try to empathize with people is that it’s often really difficult to tell the difference between the two.
It’s not always comfortable. Expanding our capacity for love never is.
My theological thoughts may actually be wrong. I may actually need to change.
Ask Me Anything: “What Is Racism?”
In this article, I respond to this question and other related questions readers have asked over the last few months as it concerns the racial conflicts of our day.
This is a moment for empathy; not a moment to have an opinion.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:1-4
Have you read any books by Dr. King (or other civil rights activists)? If so, what were they and what did you learn? Share in the comments below.
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