The difficult and often uncomfortable conversations about race have never been more important than it is today. These conversations can bring awareness to those who are unaware of their implicit bias, and if done right, it can lead to a deeper understanding of what racial equality means in our society and the world. To have constructive dialogues about racial justice, we must practice empathy and love through a Christ-like perspective. By practicing understanding, patience, humility and grace, we can create a safe space for open dialogue that will foster growth and acceptance. Through these practices, we can come closer to having success with social justice conversations on issues such as racial equality, hate crimes, gun violence, racial identity, race and poverty.
1. Understand the Subjective Nature of Racism.
One of the most important aspects of race is that it can be difficult to objectively measure or define what racism is because people experience it in different ways and for different reasons. For example, some people may feel that they have experienced more instances of racism than others because their skin color or culture makes them a minority in their country (“In America…”). Although many view racism as being about power dynamics between races (gaining or losing), others may feel that negative experiences with people of other races is not related to race or culture. A study on “race and racism” conducted by the European Social Survey found that many people view racism as a personal experience, rather than an institutional one (“The Concise Introduction to Racism”). This results in a large variation between different groups of people in how they define what constitutes racism.
2. Understand Different Types of Racism.
One form of racism, overt racism, is defined by the dictionary as “a belief or action that maintains there are innate differences among human racial groups, and that one’s own racial group has an inherent superiority”. Overt racism is the most well-known form of racism in society because people see it as blatant, and it has been linked to discrimination and violence.
3. Understand Racial Identity.
Racism is often directly tied to racial identity and what it means to be a person of color. What are the different types of racial identities, and how do they affect people?
4. Understand Why Racism Occurs.
Racism is a social process that can occur in many different situations, including during conflicts between groups, when individuals make judgments based on group membership, and when stereotypes are used as part of social processes (i.e., racism occurs when people believe a certain race is inferior).
5. Be Aware of Your Own Racial Bias.
When it comes to matters such as how the media treats people of different racial identities, what privileges are available to certain groups, and how racism is experienced in different contexts, we all can have racial biases.
6. Learn How To Fight Racism.
It is important to recognize when racism is occurring, understand the history of racism and its effects on individuals and societies, and know how to fight against it.
7. Reconcile Racial Identities.
Racial identifications are often in conflict due to misunderstandings about each other’s histories/experiences/ideas/lifestyles8. Be Aware of Historical RacismThe history of race has been a long one marked by violence, unethical experimentation, and exploitation as well as by compassion, empathy and love.The history of slavery and its impact is a vast subject which cannot be covered here in its entirety.
Does this sound like a lot of work? YES! because it is. Just remember that your counterparts don’t get a break or vacation from the racism that they experience on a daily basis so the FIRST part of being able to treat your counterparts with empathy and love is to educate yourself.
Religion has often been used to justify racism, with some churches and religious leaders using it to promote intolerance and exclusion. This has had a significant impact on racial tensions in the United States, as well as other parts of the world. At the same time, religion can also play an important role in promoting social justice and racial equality. Churches have long been a place where people can come together to discuss difficult topics like race and religion. They can provide a safe space for people of all backgrounds to share their experiences and perspectives on these issues. This article will explore the complex role of church and religion in racial tensions, looking at how it can both perpetuate racism or be used as a tool for social change. It will examine how religious institutions have responded to racism in the past, as well as what role they might play in creating a more just society today.
Religion has often used by governments to make claims about the inherent superiority of one race over another or to facilitate policies that would lead to discriminatory practices. One example of this is Manifest Destiny, a belief that white Americans had the right and responsibility to spread across the continent and claim it for themselves. This idea, which was promoted by religious leaders in the mid-1800s, led directly to a wave of racial violence as whites tried to push non-whites out of their settlements.At the same time, religion can also play an important role in uniting people. Religion has a long tradition of advocating for social justice, although it is often difficult to ascertain where that advocacy ends and religious practice begins. As an example, consider the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. In this text Jesus states that those who help the poor are blessed with “good measure” and “shall be repaid at a time their soul desires” (Matthew 5:44). This passage inspired Martin Luther King Jr.’s activism against racial discrimination, while also inspiring practices such as tithing within many Christian denominations.The role of religion in race relations is therefore both complicated and nuanced. As illustrated by the texts in this section, religion has been a driving force in the fight against discrimination, yet at the same time, has also been the reason for racist and isolationist policies
Is Racism Biblical? Does the Bible endorse one population or creed above another. Are we not all one body in Christ? The Good Book is not a manifesto of a particular cause, sect, race or ethnicity. However, it does point us to the truth that we are all God’s children and all one in Christ. Sometimes this reality is not easy to see as reflected in society when groups are given preferential treatment over others who may be more marginalized or oppressed. The Bible does support equality and building up those who have been disadvantaged, but it does not endorse any particular group above another.
So What can we do? As Christians, we must ask ourselves: What is our role in promoting racial equality? How can we ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity? These questions are not easy to answer, but they are essential if we want to create a society where everyone feels included and valued. We must look at our own beliefs and practices as well as those of other denominations to see how race has shaped Christianity throughout the centuries.
Our worship services should be places where we are all welcome and not a means of segregation.Maybe it’s time to get rid of the physically division. in worship and change our approach to how we are in those spaces.Most of the time, when people think about church, they typically think about Sunday morning (or Sunday afternoon) services. These services can be segregated by race because of a variety of factors that contribute to this racial divide. One such factor is the differences in worship styles in different churches. In many African American churches, there is an emphasis placed on praise music with drums and clapping as opposed to hymn singing with just a piano accompaniment as seen at many white churches. Another contributing factor is the awkward small talk at welcome time that often leads to unconfortable confrontations of difference.
As a black woman it is very awkward and uncomfortable for me to take part in racial discussions, especially any mandatory DEI ones. However, as someone who feels uncomfortable in church spaces because I’m sometimes the only brown face… ok most of the time. Race and difference might be a necessary topic. Perhaps we should examine our worship services. What are we doing in churches that makes them separate into either all white or all black and brown spaces? Is it the differences in worship styles? Is it the awkward small talk at welcome time? Racial inequity exists in the world in a way that makes our lives outside of church very different but our lives inside of church should not be.
Let’s all work towards a more equitable church and a more equitable world.
