Instinctive Response

Originally Written: July 19, 2020

There is one experience from the last couple of months that I have kept almost exclusively to myself. It shook me, caused me to wrestle, and ultimately has changed my perspective. 

One night early this summer I walked around my city praying with two of my black friends. We were praying for peace, wisdom and unity. 

We were eating ice cream and circling back to our cars when a voice yelled towards me, “Go back to Europe!” 

I assumed we would all ignore the comment and move on, so I kept walking and took another bite of my ice cream.    

I was horrified as I watched one of my friends step between me and the young man. Looking directly at him, my friend told him to apologize. 

I was stunned. 

My mind was racing, but no words were coming out. I didn’t know where to put my hands or where to look. I was confused, everything was upside down.

I had just attended a prayer vigil for those who lost their lives to police brutality. I stood with my friends and clapped as we heard speeches about PTSD, health reform, white privilege, and much, much more.  I was prepared to stand with the black community, yet my friend’s instinctive response was to stand with me. 

Racial reconciliation isn’t just so that People of Color can receive the same treatment that I do. With this perspective, People of Color are the only ones who benefit.  Racial reconciliation is for my benefit as well. There is perspective and unity that I need. When I experience another culture I am able to celebrate, gain wisdom and walk in a greater understanding of the Kingdom of God. 

Church, if our instinctive response isn’t to stand with our Brothers and Sisters of Color than we are sending a message that is contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we are not walking humility, if we are not repenting, and if we are not laying down our lives for our brothers and sisters then we are missing it.

My friend taught me that this movement isn’t about me being a “white hero.” It is about true unity and authentically offering a seat at the table to people with different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It cannot be a pity seat. It cannot be a weaker seat. It is a seat of strength.