Slavery, The Jim Crow era, Separate but Equal…it goes without saying that the world is not the way it should be as illustrated through concepts such as racism. Racial injustices can be seen throughout American history through the form of segregation and police brutality to name a couple. Throughout the years, several efforts in improving race relations in America came through the form of the Black Lives Matter Movement and the question around cultural appropriation in regards to black face. Despite all the importance we have made in creating an anti-racist society, there are still better solutions.
In Dear White Peacemakers: Dismantling Racism with Grit and Grace, Osheta Moore talks about addressing racism in America through a biblical lens. Moreover, through pointing to Jesus, Moore is able to offer solutions that will in turn have the most positive influence on our society. For example, she points out that we should embrace anti-racism given that the Lord calls us to live a peaceful life, Shalom. I interpret the term ‘Shalom’ as the Lord has called us to live in peace amongst all brothers and sisters across race and nationality because the Lord is the Prince of Peace. Despite the benefits of this approach, it is in a lot of ways easier said than done.
In order to effectively address an issue we must first examine our hearts and minds and try to understand the person who has hurt our perspective as well. In Chi Alpha at UVA, there is a coined phrase that we often use called ‘care fronting’ which is a method of communication that entails caring enough about one’s self, one’s goals and others to confront conflict courageously in a self-asserting, responsible manner.(1) Moore illustrates this approach when addressing white supremacy through praying for them, encouraging them to do better, and setting healthy boundaries. She doesn’t describe the person themselves as racist but rather that they have been influenced from racist ideologies that has plagued the west for several centuries. As Ephesians 6:12 states, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” therefore I believe that when we through tearing down the walls that society and America has built up through white supremacy, we can see people for who they trully are.
Moore’s emphasis in her work that we are all one in the kingdom of God which is the Lord’s, which reminds me of the phrase ‘Imago Dei’. This idea of ‘Imago Dei’ further srves as a reminder of how much the Lord holds each and everyone of us in such high regards. In fact, God states that, “he created them in His own image, in the image of God He created them.” (2) I understand this to mean that while my physical identity is black, my true identity is found in Christ given that I am his creation. This idea of everyone being the creation of God is the ultimate solution to addressing the racism that has plagued America for centuries.
1“My Loved One Is Addicted! Part 5 – Confronting vs Care-Fronting.” Adult & Teen Challenge Central Canada, 6 Dec. 2022.
2 Genesis 1:27 NIV