The last several years have shown that racism is alive and well in America. It is not just that some people are racist, though that is true, but that there is an underlying current of racism in American society, called systemic or structural racism.  Here are two videos by Phil Vischer (of VeggieTales fame) from which I learned a lot about racism in America. 

• Holy Post – Race in America
• Holy Post – Race in America – Part 2

Much of what Phil talks about is the history of systemic or structural racism in the last 60+ years, that is racism that is built into society and our laws.  It does not make for a level playing field with people of color not being treated equally.  Phil lays out a good argument why this is the case. It is worth watching both videos.  Part 2 answers the common questions and objections to the first video.  

To bring up one point that really struck me is the typical white household ($171,000) has 10 times more wealth than the typical black household ($17,150). (6.7 times if you include the atypical households.)  Much of the wealth is usually found in home ownership, and it is also one of the best ways to grow your wealth. The lack of wealth limits your options.  This is in part due to the policies of the past and present, such as redlining, which is the systematic denial of services (e.g. house loans) by the government and the private sector.  

Racism is a complex problem with no simple solutions.   Many people of color have been kept in poverty, intentionally and unintentionally, by white Americans and by American laws.   Because this has gone on for generation after generation, many black people, especially men, have lost all hope. They see no way out of their poverty. Many have stopped trying.

The Bible speaks quite clearly about racism being wrong and that all are equal in the sight of God.  Here are a few phrases from the Bible:

• Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:11)
• For God shows no partiality. (Romans 2:11)
• But if you show partiality, you are committing sin (James 2:9)

The result of racism is oppression. What does the Bible have to say about oppression?

• The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9)
• Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. (Proverbs 14:31)
• Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression (Isaiah 1:17)

What can we do? First, we need to care, and listen, and learn. If God is for the oppressed, then we should be to.  We need to act.  We should seek justice and correct oppression. We should be generous to the needy.  We should not continue to sit on the sidelines and do nothing. (Consider some of the ideas at the end of the second video to put into action.)

Paul was concerned about the racial divide between Jews and Gentiles in the Ephesian church so he wrote:

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility ¹⁵ by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, ¹⁶ and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. ¹⁷ And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. (Ephesians 2:13-17)

It is Jesus Christ who brings peace to our racial divide and makes us one.