This problem is not only confined to the US because even over here in the UK, we know about Mark Duggan, Sean Rigg and it was only this week the G4S offices were acquitted in the murder of Jimmy Mubenga. It’s everywhere. Black men (and women) are firstly being murdered and then there murderers seem to be getting away with it. Many say it is not about race but a recent twitter hashtag #CrimingWhileWhite paints an altogether different picture. This is a 2014 reality and something needs to be done about it.
As a Christian, I have had to question what my (and other Christian colleagues’) roles are in all this. Many times the church is vocal on many issues, including the ‘Sunday law’, ‘women’s rights’ and ‘issues on how gay marriages may affect the clergy’ but when it comes to an issue such as racism, silence. In all fairness, I was pleased to see certain SDA pastors and Adventist institutions take a stand and became vocal on the issue but this is by no means enough.
Jesus, we claim, is our Example so I think that if we need guidance on what to do or how to behave when it comes to racism, which is very current; we need to follow his word on how to deal with it. What does the bible say about injustice? The bible is clear that God detests injustice and takes and active approach in both speaking out against it and vindicating the victims.
Proverbs 6:17-19 speak about the 7 things that God hates and third on the list is “hands that shed innocent blood.”
In Proverbs 17:15, we see that, “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.”
Zechariah 7:10 – “And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.”
Micah 6:8 – “He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.”
Jimmy Mubenga was strangled on a plane by three G4S security guards during his deportation in October 2010. The guards were cleared of the manslaughter charges. The Guardian reports that racist texts shared between the guards were ignored by the trial judge.
These are only but a few biblical passages condemning injustice and showing how strongly God disapproves of it.
When Jesus was on earth, he spoke against injustice of all types and was an advocate for those who had no voice – the poor, fatherless and marginalised. He knew first-hand what it meant to be treated unjustly – falsely accused and even killed. When Jesus saw the temple, being used for business and not worship,
righteous indignation caused him to turn over tables and get angry with the people committing those offences. How much more would he be angry at the unnecessary killing of human beings today?
If Jesus and the bible are so vocal on this issue, what does it mean when we are not? Is it enough to just preach in our pulpits week after week and not speak out on the injustice, the racism happening all around us today?
I believe that we as Christians, especially as Christians, need to speak out and be active in the fight against racism. We cannot or should not stand idly by and do nothing. Doing nothing means failing in our duty as Christians. I think that the passage in Matthew 25: 40 sums it up beautifully, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”