Systemic Racism is on my heart. I know about it, I have been taught about the backpack of white privilege. I have seen good work in the area of reconciliation. I have made and kept specific friendships. All this adds not to my absolution but to my ability to continue the battle. Being antiracist is not a destination but a process. The process requires self analysis, social analysis, and a life with the Holy Spirit. As I get older I realize just how far we have to go, just how hard it is and just how hopeless and impotent one can feel in the face of it. Recently I was made even more aware of the power of it and have a distinct call to respond to the sin of it. The injustice of it can be quite motivating but as I get older I also see the practical limitations of it. Making a diverse team, at work in our church, is not just nice, it is powerful. If we continue to play by the rules of race, a myth, we continue to settle for less. I am tempted to think of racial reconciliation in terms of ‘wouldn’t it be nice.’ Now I see failure and lack, and I look to see that racism is at the heart of it, and not simply in the comparison of the haves with the have not but within the operational reality of our society. We all suffer not simply because it is wrong (which it is and we do) but also since we allow outward appearance to limit access to talent and disposition. All the above has been explained to me on previous occasions but now it makes more sense than ever. I may be in a position to effect change in this area at work unique to me at the present. I am excited.
I’m really happy that you wrote about this topic. It’s on my mind a lot, I have a lot of confused identity issues and don’t really know where I fall into place. It’s good to know that you’re making more sense of something that works best when its victims and perpetrators are confused.
Thanks for taking the risk at work, Paul. I did not realize that the Water Department was famous for being systemically racist, until you enlightened me. Taking risks to make a difference is like Jesus.
Hey Paul,
I’m in a sociology of race and racism course. Prior to this course, I thought about racial stuff. But now I’m thinking about it more than ever. I’m gonna be speaking on it at East on the 25th and posting a blog on the site with similar content. It’s great to know that it is just a contribution to a conversation that is ongoing and not an isolated conversation.
All of my hopelessness in the government / society to fix problems of racism is starkly contrasted by the efforts that many in our community have begun to make in order to become aware and to be in solidarity at times with those who suffer because of Racism.