[Note: see my article discussing these ideas at much greater length here]
To talk about race in America is a difficult thing, but it needs to be done. I’ve given a lot of thought to the matter, but I’m by no means an expert. There’s no doubt that some will find this post lacking in a number of ways, but we’ve got to have the conversation.
Let me say right up front that the first thing I want to do in this conversation is listen. I want to hear what others have to say on this matter. I recognize that others may not share my perspective. My goal is to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. I welcome your feedback and thoughts on these matters.
When most people hear the word “racism,” they hear racial resentment, animosity, or hatred. The problem is that we can have prejudice and injustice toward other people without a feeling of conscience hatred. This can occur when we do not positively value others, listen to them, and connect with them.
There’s nothing wrong with loving those closest to us or those who are a part of our own groups. This rooted in the God-given connection to our family. We should take special care of those closest to us. As the Apostle Paul said, “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8).
The trouble is that this allegiance exceeds its bounds. Our groups get an allegiance that they don’t deserve, and other groups receive a contempt that they do not deserve. This tendency is captured well by Jesus who said, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” (Matthew 5:46–47).
This favor of our own groups is rooted in our pride. This is not always a grandiose boasting. It can be a subtle way of overplaying our strengths and downplaying our weaknesses, or, when dealing with others, overplaying their weaknesses and downplaying their strengths. John Calvin describes this tendency like this in his Institutes of the Christian Religion:
The vices with which we abound we both carefully conceal from others, and flatterlingly represent to ourselves as minute and trivial, nay, sometimes hug them as virtues. When the same qualities, which we admire in ourselves are seen in others, even though they should be superior, we, in order that we may not be forced to yield to them, maliciously lower and carp at them; in like manner, in the case of vices, not contented with severe and keen animadversion, we studiously exaggerate them (3.7.4).
It is putting our finger on the scale in our favor. What we have to recognize is that it takes a strenuous effort to reverse this tendency. As even Aesop (of Aesop’s Fables fame) noted, we have two burdens we carry: the faults of others we carry in front of us and see clearly; the faults of ourselves we carry on our backs and do not see them.
So, overcoming racial and group prejudice requires no small effort. Church, state, and academia should put forth their resources to help human beings look outside themselves and see the virtues of others and temper their view of their own virtues.
This problem is exacerbated by false guilt. There are people who can only see the vices of one’s own group. It’s easy to get defensive and refuse to acknowledge one’s weaknesses lest one give ground to such opponents. So, it takes tremendous maturity and imagination to be honest with one’s faults without denying one’s true virtues. When it comes to others, it’s easier to see their vices. So, it also takes tremendous imagination and effort to see people’s true virtues without ignoring or amplifying their faults. Yet this is certainly what Jesus had in mind when he warned us, “Judge not, lest ye be judged.”
Advice for Countering Prejudice
So, how do we get there? I think the Apostle James gives us a great rule: “Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry.” The first thing to do is not to do anything. Just listen. Try to understand. Judge less. Listen more. Be curious.
Second, get out of your comfort zone. Make it a habit to get to know people who live in your city and neighborhood. Attend events where you will get to know people with different backgrounds. Grow in curiosity.
Third, look deliberately for the real virtues of each culture and seek to value them. Our culture is built on many more cultures than we realize. When we eat, most of us value being able to try a large variety of foods. These represent cultures. We can get to know others.
Fourth, try to take a more honest look at yourself and the groups of which you are a part. Listen carefully to criticism and try to evaluate yourself honestly.
Fifth, if you are a Christian, make an effort to attend a church, Bible study, or church events where people from different backgrounds have leadership or are in the majority. I reckon that there are few things we could do that would change our perspective on other cultures than this.