To all of my
black friends, I want you to know I’m listening.
I am a
white, middle class woman, born in the 70’s.
I learned about the civil rights movement and knew about racism. I was taught to treat all people with
kindness. When I heard people on the news
talk about modern day racism, I really did not know what they were referring
to. I live in Alabama. I had been to the museums. I had heard the stories. Those things were not happening today – as
far as I could see.
Outside of
Scripture, truth is an elusive thing these days. Statistics are meaningless. Five people can take the same set of numbers
and interpret them 15 different ways.
The news is always slanted in one direction or another. Stories and experiences of strangers can be
twisted and used to manipulate emotions.
What helped me to “see” was the stories of black friends that I know
personally. A few years ago at church,
we had a group of ladies that met for several weeks to discuss race and
diversity. We had the freedom to ask our
black sisters in Christ questions that we had never felt the freedom to ask
before, and those ladies were free to share experiences that they had learned
from a young age should be kept only to themselves. Hearing their stories helped me to realize
what racism looks like today – and see that it does indeed still exist.
This is why
I feel so compelled to write today. I
was living in a bubble of ignorance that needed to be challenged. As a white, Christian female, I must implore
those in my circle of influence to ask themselves – “Am I still living in that
bubble?” I am here to ask you to listen
along with me.
James 1:19
tell us, “Dear brothers, don’t ever forget that it is best to listen much,
speak little, and not become angry” (TLB).
For my white friends, this is a time for us to talk less and listen
more. To my black friends, I sincerely
want to know more about your experiences. I
will never fully understand, but I want to try.
While I have not experienced your exact pain, I know what it’s like to
feel unseen and unheard, and that part of me can connect with that part of you.
For several
months, I have seen 2 Chronicles 7:13-15 over and over. “If I shut up the heavens so that there is no
rain, or if I command the locust swarms to eat up all of your crops, or if I
send an epidemic among you, then if my people will humble themselves and pray,
and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from
heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land. I will listen, wide awake, to every prayer
made in this place” (TLB).
What disturbs
me greatly is how much we like to quote these verses – but how little we’re
actually applying them. Yes, it’s ironic
how much these verses line up with what’s happening today. So why are we just quoting them over and over
– and not humbling ourselves, praying, searching, and turning?
We talk a
lot about praying, but are we actually praying?
Jesus told
us that that greatest commandments were to love God and love others (Matt.
22:36-40). Could what is going on now be
what the end of those verses is referring to?
Is it possible that our lack of love for others is what we need to be
repenting of? Is this is the area in
which we need to humble ourselves and pray and turn?
“By this all
people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one
another.” John 13:35
It’s time we
start listening to each other - about racism and so many other issues. My limited perspective may not always be
accurate. I have to be humble and
willing to change. This is not the time
to disengage from society. This is the
time to press in, listen more, and act.
I believe
people’s greatest desire is to be fully known and still be fully loved in spite
of it. How can we really love people
that we haven’t taken the time to know?
We can’t be afraid to listen to various points of view. Be willing to grow and change. Be willing to own our part. And in the words of Frozen 2 (because I'm a mom and I work with children for a living), “Just do the next right thing.” Because if we’re humbling ourselves, and
we’re praying, and we’re seeking Him – then He will guide us to that next right
thing.
What does
this look like? For me, I am weeping
with those who are weeping. I’m praying
that God will help me to love more and judge less. That He will help me to be humble enough to
admit where I need to change. I am
praying for and checking on my black friends.
I am broadening my perspective by reading more from black authors and
black perspectives – even those I may disagree with. And I am teaching my children not only to see
the value in others and to be kind to everyone – but I am also teaching them
what racism looks like today (and not just historically). I am praying for the wisdom to know when and
how to speak up for those whose voices have been silenced.
And I am listening.
Janel
