Let me be neither.
Many years ago I lived in a city where there was a thriving community of Indo-Canadian folks. One year I was at a summertime festival with crowds of people. My son was still in a stroller and we were wandering around the grounds after accidentally loosing my husband. I was also pregnant with my daughter and the heat was starting to take its toll. Fortunately I was rescued by a food truck open for business. My son and I would be able to get a cold drink.
There was a long line - typical of festivals such as this - but we were prepared to wait.
The line moved forward rather quickly until it reached a customer that I could tell was having some trouble expressing what she'd like to order. She was small and older, maybe in her 70's. She had on a colorful sari that had sparkly beads stitched through it. I noticed how the sweltering sun reflected from the beads and made her look like a queen.
However I could tell these details were not being noticed by the man in front of me. As time went on and it was clear this woman struggled to speak English, I watched the man in front of me rapidly loose patience. His shoulders became red and tense. He balled up his fists and started shouting from the back "Can you hurry up?". The tension built as he rocked back and forth, huffing loudly his displeasure. Under his breath were words filled with fire, "and go back to your country while you're at it".
I stood stunned, heart racing. My tired and sweaty toddler was more composed than this grown man.
That day impressed something on me that I've never forgotten. Humans are fickle and we sure prefer our own kind.
It wouldn't be the last time I would hear something horribly racist come out of the mouths of strangers and friends alike living in that place. And I would put that knowledge in my back-pocket, not liking it, but not hating it either.
I don't know why I haven't written much about the year we've had when it comes to racial tensions. I sure have a lot of feelings about it. I know I made a conscious decision early on last year to listen more than talk. I've read a good deal about the subject. Both about the history as well as personal stories of pain and grief. Which is something I have encouraged others to do. I do believe this posture has served me well.
But before I make myself sound greater than I am, let me admit that this has been a journey for me. As I said, I didn't hate the racism when I saw it back then. And I should have. Being in a certain camp theologically and politically as an adult has limited my knowledge on the importance of the subject and often times has persuaded me to feel as though the issue is over-blown, over-politized and ill-advised. The solutions "they" are requesting are no solutions at all and therefore we ought to argue about that over and above seeking reconciliation and/or taking responsibility.
I've been slower than I should have been.
And I've also seen the harm bandwagon allyship does. Something I've probably been guilty of in the past. The slippery nature of its forced interest and the message it shows that its only something worth fighting for when there is the comfort of a crowd shouting the same thing. Will I still advocate when its just me and my friend in my living room? Am I ok with the uncomfort that it brings?
Social media allyship is easy. But will I still care about it when I'm standing behind it in a long line-up?
And, of course, I also don't want to cover my ears and act like its not happening. I don't want to be the girl who puts those experiences in my back pocket as though they are forgettable and don't require my full attention.
Here's why. I am a pro-life person. Sometimes when we use that language people think we're getting political and we're not focusing on the gospel, which is our main requirement as Christians. But the problem with that is, of course, abortion is a gospel issue. All human life is created in the image of God and therefore worthy of dignity and respect no matter how small they are or unwanted they may seem. And I do believe we ought to care for women who are struggling with an unwelcome pregnancy and care for the child within. Both humans deserve our utter devotion. Anyone in that position requires my full attention.
I am also an all-of-life person. From womb to tomb, of every race and tribe, every walk of life, gender and religion. All humans created in the image of God are worthy of my attention to feed, clothe and care. No ifs, ands, or buts. Whether I agree or disagree with their ideologies or way of life. Because life is a gospel issue.
The gospel storyline is literally this: The almighty God of the universe created mankind male and female in his own image. And when mankind actively sinned against God, He went about seeking reconciliation with us at the fullest and highest cost to Himself. And He did so, not after we proved we were worth it or after we told Him we agreed with Him on everything. But in fact while we were still in rebellion against Him. And He gave us new life.
As Christians, we are life people.
So this is why racial issues are not political. But gospel. And when something happens in society that brings this issue into the forefront of the worlds attention we ought not stick our heads in the sand or fight about whether or not the media scrutiny is warranted. We ought to stand on the side of life mattering.
Not so that we get some kind of social gold star. But because God cares for the ones He's created. And so shall we.
When I moved to a new city many years ago and we settled into our new home we began planning to put our kids in school. This opened up a lot of dialogue around what elementary school they would go to. Our catchment put them in a school that was next to indigenous reserve-land. A non-issue we thought. And yet, I can't tell you how many people advised us not to put our kids in that school with their only reason being the land next to it. "Here we go again," I thought. I also put that experience in my back pocket. This time, hating it.
Then came last year. When everything blew up. And we saw orthodox Christians telling story after story of injustice. The weeping, grief and trauma was palpable as thousands of people mourned and shared the weariness of what they experience regularly in America.
Nevertheless, I watched the conversation in church circles become more about whether or not there was any good reason for the hubbub. And I really couldn't believe it.
How could this be? How could people who believe in the depravity of man not believe that it could manifest itself in prejudice and favouritism in the lives of all people, both powerful and not? John Piper says this in a Desiring God article entitled Structural Racism.
In such a world, it would be inconceivable and utterly astonishing if there were no such thing as structural racism. In this world of sin and Satan and a decadent world system, it is incomprehensible that one sin would be privileged to escape systemic expression. This is true not only for statistical reasons, but for organic ones. Racism is the spoiled child of pride. And structural racism is the sturdy child of structural pride. They are organically connected. Pride gives birth to racism. Structural pride gives birth to structural racism.
It sure would be nice to live in a society where certain sins just kinda went out of style or were fully "taken care of". But that's not the fickle world we live in. And arguing about its relevance is a luxury us white folks can no longer afford indulging in. The data is in. Racism isn't a problem of the past. It's one of today. And it will continue to be, this side of heaven.
There is no debate that we sinful humans prefer our own kind. The kind that speaks our language. The local and global stories of racism are too many for the hubbub to not be justified as some still believe.
We are so fortunate to have a long-suffering God. A God who has watched us fail this issue year after year after year after year as we manufacture short-term interest or we cover our ears "la la la" and look to pundits that stroke our heads and tell us "they're overreacting".
So here is my plea to the ones who read this and are unsure of how to respond to the racial conversations being had. Listen and lament. Weep with those who weep and seek to understand the pain. Choose compassion even when you don't understand and advocate for the good of all, just as Christ is advocating for you right now in heaven.
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Romans 8:34
Be people of the gospel. People of life.
You may be concerned about marxism sneaking into the church. And that's fine. Stay vigilant against it. There are many ideologies of this world that should not enter the church. Take what's good and leave behind the bad. And also take note of what Justin Giboney says about this,
Marxism is extremely flawed. But when it comes to the Black experience, American racism has already done much of the harm some fear from Marxism & more. It has:
- Undermined the family
- Undermined the Church
- Defiled women
- Centered identity
- Robbed wealth
- Enraged, murder, etc
The exact same things could be said of the indigenous community in Canada. Racism and marxism are dangerous. Let's be against both. Let's not play the politics game about it.
I wish I could say I don't have many back pocket first-hand experiences with racism. I wish I could say I haven't heard racism stories from friends of color either. But that is not the reality. And I can't live denying reality or pretending to care. So I must get to work raising my kids to love all people and make efforts to find justice for the unborn and those suffering racism.
Life matters.
After all, I know what lies ahead in the hereafter when everything is made right.
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:9-10
Let your hearts ache for this kingdom to come. And when the world shouts to end racism, simply agree and answer Yes!
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