Stop Racism, Without Hesitation.
Anti-Black racism still exists today. Hesitation is a clue to the condition of our hearts with respect to racism, in general, and anti-Black racism specifically.
Jesus does not hesitate in John 4:6-9. We shouldn't either.
The Samaritan women (John 4) knew Jews would never use dishes that were used by Samaritans. This was indicative of systemic racism that existed in the time of Christ. His response, however, as a Jew was to ask to drink from the same cup as the women for whom he 'should' have no regard. He didn't hesitate.
Do we hesitate? If so, why?
Do you and I hesitate to “drink from the same cup” as people who are Black?
Consider these questions below as representative of “drinking from the same cup”. Be warned they will make you uncomfortable; but imagine how Black people must feel in these scenarios:
Do we believe the stories of racism we hear from the Black community?
Do we hesitate to imagine what it must be like to live with Black skin?
Do we hesitate to give credence to how the Black community is discriminated against?
Do we hesitate when our children want to play with and befriend Black children?
Do we hesitate to walk by a young Black man we might encounter on an evening walk?
Do we hesitate to get on an elevator with a Black person?
Do we hesitate to socialize with a Black person we are seated with when travelling?
Do we hesitate when our son or daughter decides to marry a Black person?
Do we hesitate to speak-up, stand-with, post, pray, and protest alongside members of the Black community against anti-Black racism?
This post is probably making you uncomfortable…
This post is probably making you uncomfortable and/or angry. That's OK because the process of change is uncomfortable. All of us in the non-Black community, and especially followers of Jesus Christ, are due for some uncomfortable truth. It helps us evaluate our own thoughts, actions and tendencies. Though painful at times, we should not fear the truth because Jesus says the truth sets us free (John 8:32).
In asking for a drink from the same cup as the Samaritan women, Jesus crossed systemic racially drawn lines. He shared the most precious pearls of hope and knowledge that He had to give: He was the Messiah. This is a powerful demonstration of how we should respond to racism.
So pause with me and let's prayerfully examine our hearts.
Let's invite the Holy Spirit to lead us and reveal if we hesitate to love others as ourself (Luke 10:25-27; Mark 12:28-34). Let's allow Him to show us anti-Black racism that might lurk below the surface of our lives. Let's NOT allow embarrassment, shame, defensiveness, or pride to prevent us from renouncing anti-Black: racism, prejudice, misconceptions, injustice, attitudes and fear.
Let's be secure in Jesus' love as we change. Allowing that love to fuel our prayers, protests and posts as we stand alongside members of the Black community as allies WITHOUT HESITATION, to stop anti-Black racism.