Anti-Racist Zone

Do you believe Jesus was a nice guy?
 
I do.
 
I believe his compassionate and gentle spirit compelled people—especially those who were broken and beat up by the world—to follow him.
 
But as soon as I get comfortable following Jesus “The Nice Guy,” I’m reminded of Phillip Yancy's question: How would telling people to be nice to one another get a man crucified? What government would execute Mister Rogers?
 
Jesus was more than nice and kind. He was more than a lamb-toting shepherd. He was a man committed to justice! His love for the poor motivated him to challenge the religious and political systems that benefitted some and oppressed others.
 
When the economic system in the temple prevented gentiles from having access to a place of prayer he interrupted the economy by turning over the moneychanger’s tables. When entire classes of people were shunned, Jesus invited them to his table, making it clear that everyone’s life mattered to him. When the legal system limited access to healthcare, Jesus acted with civil disobedience and healed people on the Sabbath. Jesus was more than nice; he was bold and courageous. He spoke out for the oppressed and gave his life to bring God’s righteousness on earth. 

When people speak truth to power and challenge oppressive systems, as did Jesus, those in power will often demonize the truth teller. In Matthew chapter 12 Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath. He confronts the Pharisees and shines a light on the injustice of their legal system. In response the Pharisees “went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.” (v.14) Their plot included a public slander campaign, creating a demonizing narrative to sway people’s opinion: “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” (v. 24)
 
The threat of murder and the fake news about his character did not hinder his determination to pursue God’s righteousness. Jesus set his eye on the kingdom of God and pressed on toward the goal of making God’s righteousness and God’s goodness know and accessible to everyone.
 
Jesus didn’t play it safe. He knew “being nice” wouldn’t change the unjust laws that oppressed his neighbors. In the middle of this drama Jesus speaks out and says, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (v.30) Jesus draws a line in the sand and makes it clear to those who would follow him: There is no middle ground.
 
This scene in the life of Jesus—and his line in the sand—reminds me of the words spoken by Angela Davis: “In a racist society it is not enough to be non–racist. We must be anti–racist.”  In a world where social injustice persists and systemic racism lingers, those of us who are “with Jesus” must do far more than be nice; we cannot settle for being non–racist, we must actively work to dismantle the social evil of racism. We must be anti–racist!
 
Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist, says: “The only way to undo racism is to consistently identify and describe it—and then dismantle it.” For my white brothers and sisters, intellectual and emotional awareness of racism is a good first step. Me must listen and learn from our black and brown brothers and sisters. We must place ourselves in uncomfortable spaces, where we’re not the dominant culture, and feel what its like to be different than the majority of folks in the room. We must be vulnerable and willing to have the uncomfortable conversations about race. But emotional and intellectual awareness of racism is not enough; we must follow the awareness with action.
 
One fear us white folks have about actively addressing racism is that we might say or do something wrong—maybe even harmful; so we choose to say nothing at all. This fear, which some call white fragility, will convince us the best thing we can do is to stay in our “nice, non–racist” comfort zone. But times have changed. We no longer have the luxury of hiding in our place of comfort. If white Christians want to be true to the way of Jesus we must step up and start living out our faith in the Anti–Racist Zone.

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Over the past weeks and months I’ve been compiling a list of ways I can be an anti–racist. I want to share my list here with the hope of becoming more vulnerable and accountable to my friends.
Please add your critique of my list and other creative ways to be anti–racist in the
​comment section.

1. Accept that I have been raised in a society that elevates my white culture over others. Challenge those notions in myself and don’t be offended or become defensive when others point out that historically our society has favored whiteness, creating what is defined as “white privilege.”
2. Do the hard work of self–reflection in order to identify stereotypes, prejudice and implicit bias in my own soul. The Implicit Association Test is a helpful tool in this work. 
3. Work to understand how often racial micro–aggressions go unchecked and summons the courage to correct the harmful ways others or I speak about race. 
4. Support black owned / minority owned businesses. 
5. Watch films and TV shows that challenge my notions about race and culture.
6. Desegregate my library. Read more books written by people of color.
7. Find and support local organizations that are involved in anti–racism efforts, preferably those led by people of color.
8. Join discussion groups, training groups or forums that focus on anti­–racism conversations.

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