Racial Reconciliation Starts With Me

Hey fam,

God's been convicting me lately... I must commit to humbling myself more, to embrace aspects of cultures that are unfamiliar to me, if I want to fulfill my potential relationally and in the world.

Am I saying that I will get further economically by learning to being more "White"? No. In God's economy, my value or benefit to others is measured by my love for others. If I don't sincerely love others, I'm not worth much (1 Corinthians 13).

Generally, we African-Americans have a bad habit of deliberately separating ourselves from the mainstream (BET, ebonics/slang at times when it's better to speak more properly, etc.) I'm not saying that BET or slang is inherently bad. A lot of things can be intended to act as a defense mechanism for racism or insecurity, but when you factor in the human heart, we see that people tend to turn towards an offensive, wicked reverse-racism. You see it all the time: comedians dissing other ethnicities, people being rude to other ethnicies in public--It's just the expression of insecurity and sinful pride.

Well, what does that have to do with me?

When I'm around other blacks (Christian and non), there's always a great temptation for me to partake in jokes or dialog that is... well... racist. It's socially acceptable with blacks to talk bad about other ethnicities (especially whites), even within the church! We've deceived ourselves into thinking that it's OK, because of slavery, segregation, and racism today, and we close our eyes to the hypocrisy. It's not always blatant, but I find myself laughing at jokes or poking fun at people in ways that would make Jesus frown, or more likely cry. It's my insecurity and sinful pride.

It doesn't stop there, though...

When purchasing music, I often fail to give certain artists a chance because their style isn't my cup of tea. We all have our preferences, and there's nothing wrong with liking the styles that you like. The problem for me comes when I try to rationalize not even trying something different because it's a little out of my comfort zone.

I'll give you an example. As a teen, I was into hip-hop. I still am. I used to write raps and make beats. Back then, my mom would take me to the Christian bookstore, and I'd search the racks for new CDs that I didn't have. One day I came across this rapper named T-Bone. I had heard good things about him, and I even liked the demo snippets that I heard. Still, I was reluctant to buy him. Why? He's Hispanic. Is that stupid of me, or what? I was jealous of him because he was better than me, and he wasn't black. Thankfully, God convicted on the spot. I ended up buying the CD, and it turned out to be one of my favorites during that season of life.

Another example. As the years progressed from that time, I grew to appreciate rock: first Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit", then dc Talk, Weezer, the Newsboys, and so on... When it would come time for me to pick a new CD to buy, there was always a pull to head for rap, because I felt that I more closely identified with it as a young black dude who grew up with more of it's influences. Nothing wrong with rap, but when I got to college I realized this:

My clique of friends was unique in that it was ethnically integrated. (Like now!) Whenever you see that, it's because someone is willing to be humble, and stretch their tastes to grow and bond with people who are different. It's a pattern you see all around, from our church congregation, to musical bands, to "interracial" marriages. (Biologically, there's no such thing as race in humans. Science acknowledges this.) In college, I tried out things that I might not have normally, to get to know my friends better, and to have something in common. Not just to try and fit in, but to live adventurously and say, "Show me what you're all about. Show me what I'm missing." Some of my friends also expressed the same towards me. That's love. In recent years I've been slacking in this area. It's Christ's will that the church be one (John 17:11). How can I be "one" with someone if I insist on rejecting part of who they are? (I'm not talking about sin, of course.)

"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:35

I must resolve to love, every day. Christ layed down his life for me. As I lay down my life for my friends (lay down my musical tastes when necessary, or movie tastes, or at times--even food preferences), they will see that I love them. What's being layed down is pride; selfishness. If I can lay that down, I won't laugh at jokes that demean others. I won't disrespect anyone on the simple basis that they're a different ethnicity than me (or a different body type, different measure of giftings, etc.). People will see the love of Christ, and be inspired by that love to do the same. I can't point fingers and pass off responsibility. It starts with me.