Race
Last night, my daughter was playing at a friend's house in the evening. This friend has been at our house many times, and Rachel is often over at her house. Our daughters trick-or-treated one year together, and I've had several pleasant conversations with the father, who is in law enforcement. This family just happens to be African-American, but that has never been a part of the conversation. We've taught (and, I hope, modeled) our children that color and race don't matter. People matter. And all people are made in God's image.
Which is why we were surprised last night when Rachel, during the course of the evening's conversation, related how this friend of hers had told her, "You're no fun. I need to get more black friends." I was shocked—shocked that such a thing would come up, shocked that this girl would say that to my daughter, shocked that suddenly the issue of race that inserted itself where it had not been before.
It reminded me of the first time, when I was working in the inner city of Chicago, that I realized racism runs both ways (or all ways). Racism is singling out someone for no other reason than their race, assuming someone is worse or lower than you because of who they are. It's a sin; I firmly believe that. The Bible teaches that all people are made in God's image. All people have inestimable worth. It's we who draw the lines, not God. And it runs all ways. And it breaks God's heart.
My daughter didn't seem to be too upset by the comment, certainly not as much as my wife and I were. I hope and pray Rachel and this little girl remain friends and continue to treat each other as equals. And somewhere along the way, I hope this little girl learns that racism is wrong. The whole thing made me more committed to living that truth out, to treating all persons as brothers and sisters, for the labels we put on people don't exist in God's kingdom. "All are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).
Which is why we were surprised last night when Rachel, during the course of the evening's conversation, related how this friend of hers had told her, "You're no fun. I need to get more black friends." I was shocked—shocked that such a thing would come up, shocked that this girl would say that to my daughter, shocked that suddenly the issue of race that inserted itself where it had not been before.
It reminded me of the first time, when I was working in the inner city of Chicago, that I realized racism runs both ways (or all ways). Racism is singling out someone for no other reason than their race, assuming someone is worse or lower than you because of who they are. It's a sin; I firmly believe that. The Bible teaches that all people are made in God's image. All people have inestimable worth. It's we who draw the lines, not God. And it runs all ways. And it breaks God's heart.
My daughter didn't seem to be too upset by the comment, certainly not as much as my wife and I were. I hope and pray Rachel and this little girl remain friends and continue to treat each other as equals. And somewhere along the way, I hope this little girl learns that racism is wrong. The whole thing made me more committed to living that truth out, to treating all persons as brothers and sisters, for the labels we put on people don't exist in God's kingdom. "All are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).
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