Learning Racism

I use to work with a guy who grew up in a racist family. He would share his struggle with overcoming his racist tendencies. When an African American person offended him, he would have to fight through hateful thoughts he had learned. His honesty attested to a genuine desire to change from the way of life he had inherited.

He reminds me of the time when a child who was no more than three years old innocently identified me as the “n” word. Clearly she was too young to understand what she had said. Like my co-worker she was beginning her life with a tainted view that would hinder her ability to enjoy some really great people. But, how often do we operate according to the ignorant ways we have been taught that distort our view of the world so that we cannot enjoy it in HD?

Racism is a problem that resides with the racist. However, we can’t change them. What we can do is recognize the true source of the problem so that we do not suffer shame or discouragement because of someone else’s misinformation. In the same way we need to conduct an inventory on our understanding of life so we are not operating under false assumptions. Ask God to take away the veil.

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 4:3) But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. (2 Corinthians 3:16)