How Shall Our Generation Combat Racism?

A letter to my fellow Americans

I’m appalled at how the Minnesota police killed George Floyd. It’s yet another example of common police brutality against black people. Will it ever stop? Well, I think that’s not a reasonable question because mankind is by nature sinful. I think a more appropriate question to ask is, what can we do to reduce the number and frequency of these cases? And the answer definitely does not include riots, violence, and mayhem. We are clearly at another juncture in our nation’s march towards civil rights. It would be wise for us to review our civil rights campaign history and take lessons from what has worked and avoid what hasn’t. Martin Luther King, Jr., advocated for peaceful protests and his legacy has had the greatest success. Malcom X on the other hand tried to help African Americans advance, “by any means necessary”–promoting violence. Which method shall this generation be remembered for in our long running campaign for civil rights? If what MLK said bears any truth, then, our success with this campaign will only be had when,

“‘the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together’…With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”

That’s the day we all come to share the same faith. And make no mistake; the faith Dr. King meant was faith in Jesus Christ. And his Word calls for peaceful protests even when we are challenged with physical oppression.

“For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

(1 Peter 2:19 — 2:25 ESV)