Martin Luther King, Jr. shared a vision of his four little children living in a nation where they would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. This is an excerpt from his “ I Have a Dream” address delivered on August 28, 1963 at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This occurred before I was born. Fast forward, 57 years into a new millennium.
We are six months into the year of 2020, which is referred by some as the worst year in modern American history. There have been unprecedented events worldwide. We have seen military conflicts and attacks, experienced a global pandemic, and witnessed civil unrest in cities across the globe as many watched video clips of the death of George Floyd. The dramatic images shocked the nation. People from all races stood united in streets throughout the world demanding an end to excessive police force against African Americans.
There are many things that occur in life that are beyond our control. Having pre-conceived opinions, unfavorable attitudes and hatred towards any person or group is a choice! The flame of prejudice has been the source of incredible human suffering for centuries. It has caused wars and bloodshed far too vast to recount. America has made progress in many ways. However, recent events show clear evidence that the country has a long way to go to overcome the sin of racism.
I have personally experienced the sting of systematic racism and wondered why have we not made progress. What causes any group of people to feel superior and have disdain for others? According to Hosea 4:6, people are destroyed from their lack of knowledge. Pride, ignorance and fear could also be contributing factors. However, the root cause of hatred toward any person or group is sin!
I grew up in a Christian home and was taught the importance of honoring God and showing his love to all mankind. Scriptures remind us of the fact that the earth is the Lords’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell within. (Psalm 24:1) God’s word is very clear in telling us that ALL men are created equal and every person has value and an opportunity to become a child of God. Romans 2:11 states there is no respect of persons with God. Jesus commands us to love one another. Sadly, there are some people that struggle to obey this directive. We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. As such, it’’s imperative that we obey his commands. James 2:10 states whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
This has been a challenging year. In my opinion, the world needs spiritual, emotional, physically and financial healing. 2 Chronicles 7:14 reads, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. God is waiting for us to humble ourselves, repent and cry out for help. In doing so, he promises healing of our land.
Nelson Mandela once said, No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background or his religion. People learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.
It is my prayer for collective healing and positive change in the unforeseeable future,
With gratitude,
Enjoyed, well said.
This was an excellent and insightful editorial!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for reminding us that people can be taught how to Love! That was powerful!
Thank you. It’s a labor of love!