Racism Progresses in Wrong Direction

Racism is ugly and unnecessary. It is a waste of time and energy. All people are equal in their humanity, value, importance and because we are all made in the spiritual image of God. And, all people are broken spiritually needing to be transformed by the God Who loves the world so much that He sent Jesus to rescue us and offer us a reconciled relationship with Him through Jesus paying the price for sin.

Racism has reached a new level of ugliness that I have not seen as an adult. It is spewing out in hate and angry acts that are causing greater damage. Peaceful demonstrations are welcome. This other stuff: looting, violence, arson; this does the opposite—it increases racism. Not all police officers are racists. Not all dark-skinned people are criminals in the making. Not all white people are racist or in charge of conspiracies to keep other races down.

Ever since the Garden of Eden with Adam blaming the woman and then blaming God for his own poor choices, people have been working on creative excuse making to pass along their own problems and wrong decisions to others. A friend of mine who dealt with an addicted son said that part of the therapy defined an excuse as a reason packed with a lie. There are a lot of lies being thrown around in the media. Let's stop making excuses for why we behave badly when offended by others.

Instead of solving the issues at hand we often spend extraneous time cursing others. Just look at modern politics. I am still waiting for something to be accomplished. It seems like all we hear about is how it is somebody else’s fault. It is divisive and vilifying. Not all who disagree with you are your enemy. I wish these ‘public servants’ would quit whining like toddlers and Adam in the garden and start working with people. You cannot accomplish anything productive while pointing fingers, accusing and slandering. Treat people as your friend. Make that your starting point instead of concentrating on where you disagree.

Just do good. Get things done! Do good for all people, not just a select group that are the current hot button. It is easy to criticize and attack from a distance when you are not involved in the incident and don't know all the facts. I’m doing a version of that now.

All this blaming has accomplished is dividing people over politics and color. We are less united as a nation than I can recall. Let’s quit whining and attacking. You cannot use manipulation and fear to bring about change or hope.

• How do we offer reasonable solutions and unite people rather than blaming others?
• What do you need to do or say to be a uniting force?
• How do we speak life and peace without arguing over politics or whose fault something is?
• What good is being accomplished by the riots?

Have we forgotten the truths of these amazing quotes?

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”  “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Your race, skin/hair/eye color, body type, geographical location, anatomy, social status etc. do not determine whether you are racist, righteous, good or evil. That comes from the condition of your heart. Most of us know that is true. We can be tricked by group-think or a persuasive voice. Pay attention to your unbiased sources of news. Where is the truth? Find out what is true, not just what sparks your emotions.

Pray that people think before speaking or acting out negatively. We cannot get along with people that we despise. We can get along with people we disagree with. Look for something to unite about; like the fact that both sides are humans.

We waste a lot of time, money, emotion and energy being divisive and vilifying. This weekend 90+ people were ejected from an NFL game and 31 others were arrested: Raiders vs. Niners; shocking, I know. That’s just a game, people! What are we doing in real life about important things like loving our neighbors?

• Are we focused on important things?
• Are we making the world a better and safer place?
• Is our passion aimed at meaningful and productive things?
• What can you do to eliminate; or at least. reduce racism and hatred?
• How can you improve as a person of love and peace?

Let’s make some real progress.