Chapter 12
Good Monday morning! Welcome to the 12th week of 2023.
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” (Acts 10:34-35)
This week, Bern is holding an awareness week about racism, with one of the themes being structural racism. Racism takes on different forms across nations, and unfortunately, I recently witnessed Ukrainians expressing racism towards Syrians in the context of social work here in Switzerland. But was it racism, prejudice, or a feeling of inferiority? Feelings of insecurity can contribute to the development of prejudiced attitudes. For example, a person who feels threatened by individuals from a different racial or ethnic group might develop prejudiced attitudes towards them as a way to feel superior or more secure.
What distinguishes prejudice from racism?
Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or attitudes towards a particular group or individual based on incomplete or inaccurate information. Prejudice can be directed towards any group or individual, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or any other characteristic.
Racism, on the other hand, is a form of prejudice that is based on the belief that one race is inherently superior or inferior to another. Racism involves not only prejudiced attitudes, but also systemic power structures and practices that perpetuate discrimination and inequality based on race.
Therefore, while prejudice can be directed towards any group or individual, racism specifically involves discrimination and inequality based on race.
There has been concern regarding the worldview of social justice, activity, and awareness in regard to racism. As Christians, we are called to seek justice and love our neighbors as ourselves, just as Jesus taught us. It is possible to be fully engaged in social justice activities while also maintaining a worldview that is consistent with Jesus’ teachings.
One way to do this is to approach social justice work with humility, compassion, and a willingness to listen and learn. We should strive to understand the systemic injustices that exist in society and work to address them in ways that align with our faith values. We should also seek to build relationships with people who are impacted by social injustice and support them in their efforts to advocate for change. To stay grounded in a worldview consistent with Jesus’ approach to social justice, we should regularly be reminded of “WWJD” (what would Jesus do), engage in prayer, reflection, and study of His life, His deeds, and His approach. This can help ensure that our actions are guided by love and compassion rather than other motives. As followers of Jesus, we are called to do good works. In fact, James 2:26 tells us that “faith without works is dead.”
Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus confronting social injustices of His time, such as the mistreatment of the poor, the marginalised, and the oppressed. He showed compassion to those who were often excluded from society, such as lepers, prostitutes, and tax collectors. He also challenged the religious authorities who used their power to oppress and exploit the people.
One example of Jesus confronting social injustice is when He overturned the tables of the money changers in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13). These money changers were exploiting the poor by charging exorbitant fees for their services, and Jesus saw this as a clear injustice that needed to be addressed.
Jesus’ call to action would be rooted in love, compassion, and justice, and would encourage people to stand in solidarity with the oppressed, speak truth to power, work for systemic change, practice forgiveness and reconciliation, and cultivate a sense of community. He always emphasised the relationship to God his Father and his dependence upon this relationship, and believed that God was working through him. His call to action would also involve encouraging people to deepen their own relationship with God and to recognise the ways in which God is calling them to work for social justice.
Wishing you a blessed start to this week!
Philemon