RACISM

Everyone today is talking about racism.  It's the hot topic in most of the circles of discussion.  The CRT folks want us to believe that whites are naturally racist. Nobody else can be racist. Then we have a movement that is pushing a neo-segregation.  They want to separate the races for graduation exercises and social gatherings and housing.  Equality was the goal for centuries.  Now its equity.  These sound similar, but they are opposites.  Equality is equal opportunity for all.  Equity is equal results for all.  When equity is applied to race, the result is racism. One race is given special advantage in order that all end up with the same results.  Who knows what the result will be of this discussion.  But, we do know that the current trends are dividing us to a point we have not faced since the Civil War.

So, let's step back and look the whole topic of prejudice.  In my 75 plus years, I've lived in many various populations and among various people groups in and out of the USA.  Our high school did not have a majority group.  It was evenly divided racially.  I've lived or worked where whites were the majority and where they were the minority.  In some cases, whites were almost non-existent. Here is what I have observed: PEOPLE TEND TO HAVE AN AFFINITY FOR THOSE WHO ARE LIKE THEM.  You can call that fact whatever you want, but it is true and always has been.  We tend to favor those who are like us.  It may be based on where we live, our school, our gender, our place of birth, and, yes, our race.  If you are from a particular state, you favor teams from that state. If you are from South America, you will root for teams or individuals from South America.

But, this principle gets complicated when two or more factors are in play.  You may favor one group because they are from your home town. But what if the opposing group has a family member of yours on it?  Now you are perplexed.  

This principle is true of all people groups.  It is a human trait.  All humans experience this principle.  I've seen all kinds of racial prejudice.  One race does not have a lock on prejudice.  I would say to the CRT folks, I've seen racial prejudice among all people groups.  The strongest racial prejudice I've seen did not involve whites.  They weren't even present.  They weren't a factor.

One thing is clear.  We can't survive an acceleration of the current divide.  We have to seek a solution.  The solution will begin when we all admit our tendency to favor those who are like us. Then we can focus on what unifies us.  We are all flawed human beings.  We are all created equal in the eyes of our Creator.  We all need restoration and reconciliation with our Creator and with all other people groups.  And we all would do well to adhere to what has come to be known as the Golden Rule.