God and Racism

Racism continues

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

I have a dream that one day in Alabama, little black boys, and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and little white girls as brothers and sisters.” These famous words are from Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr’s speech, “I Have a Dream,” in Washington, D.C. His speech gives a clear vision of an ideal society where God and racism can not coexist. This is the standard for a people if they claim God created us as equal and to be discrimination-free towards all its people.

It had been almost three score years since this speech was delivered. Dr. King always wanted to see American society evolve into a racist-free community one day. Unfortunately, even after over half a century, racism has remained one of the deepest-rooted problems in America and the world.

What does God think about racism?

Racism is not about noticing skin color. Racism is thinking one’s color is better than another. And that kind of judgment can lead to all kinds of b.s. God never intended one race or color to be above another for it is said more than once that we are all brothers and sisters. Racism, in its simplest terms, is the discrimination and discriminatory oppressive behavior toward others due to skin color or the culture one comes from, the kind of clothing one wears, or even the type of language one speaks. It also includes discrimination due to one’s country of origin, religious beliefs, etc. Several historical examples show the Historical Origins and development of Racism and how people have faced racism in various forms.

One of the most famous examples is whites’ discrimination against Black people simply due to their skin color in America and European countries. Another example of racism is anti-Semitism, i.e., the hatred and mistreatment of Jews.

A form of racism that targets people of the Jewish faith. The peak of this anti-Semitism was seen during The Holocaust instigated by Adolf Hitler.  Millions of Jews were killed in a mass genocide because of their Jewish background[1]. Jews were the scapegoat and blamed for everything wrong in the world. This race blame is a popular game in the political world from the beginning of time until now. Just find someone to blame is easy and emotional. We love to blame others. That is human nature.

There is no need to peep into history. We can observe our surroundings and easily see racism happening in some form or another right among us. One is alienate from the school sports team if they look, talk or act differently from other players. One is side-line from his friends’ circle because he comes from another land with different habits. Furthermore, one can seen as something less than the others.

If he puts a long tilak on his forehead as in the Hindu system has a long beard. And white cap as followed in the Muslim community, or has a weird kind of turban on his head as worn in Sikh traditions. He is still human just as equal to any other human.  Suppose a person speaking a different language lives in a particular community having a common foreign language. In that case, that person is made to feel separate from the community on certain occasions. Discrimination of people based on caste, creed, or gender is also visible worldwide.

Just like Cancer

Just as cancer starts with a small portion of the body and gradually spreads, taking control of the whole body and eventually leading to the death of the person. Similarly, this racism is also as bad as cancer in modern society. Ultimately defeating the unity of society by attacking the differences instead of the commonalities.

Fear of the unknown also contributes to misunderstanding and distrust. Someone may have “heard” about those kinds of people and so they sow the rumors that lead to fear and lack of compassion and human understanding.

How does racism affect society?

It is said that Man is a social animal and cannot live without society. Still, suppose a man chooses to remain on the platform of animalistic thinking and propensities. In that case, he must live without society as there is no peace, harmony, or happiness in a community of lower-vibrational animals. The kind of impact racism leaves on people’s lives is egregious. Specific incidents from people’s lives worldwide are sufficient to show what kind of society we live in. But we can do better when we consider God and racism.

As a black girl, I have experienced a lot of pain because of my skin color. Being an Indian Muslim in America, I can say that I have experienced racism and microaggressions quite a few times. I was in elementary school, asking my friend if I could go to her house. She said, “No, sorry, my dad doesn’t like Indians.” A lot of my childhood friends were nonblack, and I often was made to feel like an outsider with them,” says KJ from Texas[2].

Throughout the years. I have heard multiple “jokes” about all Muslims — or even just brown people in general—being terrorists, says Ridah Shaikh. Lakhwant Singh was working in his suburban Denver liquor store in April 2020 when a man walked in, assaulted him, damaged products, shouted profanity, and yelled. “Go back to your country”[2].

Recent research on racism post-pandemic is more worrying. Asian Americans are more likely than any other group to say they have been subject to slurs or jokes because of their ethnicity since the coronavirus outbreak. Sizable shares of Black and Asian adults worry other people might be suspicious of them if they wear a mask in public.

Since the coronavirus outbreak. Most Asian Americans (58%) and 45% of Black Americans say it is more common for people to express racist views toward their group. These are some of the research results shared by the Pew Research Organization[3]. Let’s talk about God and racism. Does God discriminate?

Can God help us solve racism?

So far, we have discussed God and racism, its origin to some extent, and various incidents. Does God discriminate? Of course not however. I want to suggest the root cause of racism from the perspective of religion and God and a simple solution to eradicate it. As it is evident from people’s experience, racism originates from an individual’s bias or prejudice, which stems from his own identity. Self-preservation is the first and fundamental law of nature.

Every individual wants to preserve their body, mind, ideas, thinking, feelings, beliefs, and emotions. During this process, he creates likes and dislikes because he is the center of the activity. One who agrees with his ideas and views is included in his circle, and the rest he excludes. One sees and promotes the views and priorities of one group or “category” of people over others.

When this process expands from person to family to society to community and ultimately to nation. Discrimination originates in colossal form. Which we can call systematic racism when it runs through many areas of society, from law enforcement to housing to finances. In all these expressions, the aim is one’s self-satisfaction and maintenance of superiority of beliefs, thoughts, and emotions.

What does God say about racism?

Let us see God’s word on racism through various religious scriptures about racism. Starting with the classic Indian spiritual text- The Bhagavad Gita, where Lord Krishna informs us that we are not these bodies but souls, indicating I am not Indian, American, etc.

I do not belong to a particular society, community, family, or even mind. I am pure spirit soul, and part and parcel of God, above all these bodily designations. Since we are not purified, we identify ourselves with body & mind and fight with each other on superficial physical identifications. Verse 5.18 of the Bhagavad Gita gives us the vision of an elevated person. Who has come to this realization of soul? “The humble sage, by true knowledge sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater [outcaste].

What does God say about racism in the Bible?

Racism and the Bible –  As per The Bible, Galatians 3:26 Romans 8:14, we are all children of God, and hence we are brothers and sisters. In the holy Quran, in the matter of dealings with other people. The Qur’an says. “Do not let the hatred of others you meet allow you to swerve to do wrong and depart from justice.” “Be just: that is next to piety.” (Quran Surah Al-Maa’idah, 5:8) . Do not let your enmity for your enemies exceed the limits and turn you away from justice in either words or actions.” And even though The Bible does mention slavery, it does not condemn it nor approve of it. But even here it seems to want us to treat everyone equally.

Ephesians 6:5

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

Ephesians 6:9

9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Similar instructions can found in other religious scriptures.

So a careful study of all these scriptures gives us a clear understanding of how to treat other human beings, on a level equal to oneself. Free from any discrimination because God created us equal. But someone may question how religion can solve the problem of racism.

It might be difficult to imagine, religion can help the race situation. When there have been ongoing conflicts between various religious groups. This happens when people live with a false conception of the Hindu, Muslim, or Christian. God and the many sects without acknowledging that the sun, although known by different names in various countries is the same. It equally distributes sunshine to everyone. A rose, by any other name, is still a rose and smells so sweet.

Hence, acknowledging that God is one and we all are his children is key. Even if this principle is practiced daily, racism from its roots can be ended if these principles are taught in all churches, schools, colleges, and homes from today onward.

Experiencing racism at work?

Experiencing racism at work can be a difficult and traumatic experience. It can take many forms, from overt discrimination and harassment to more subtle forms of bias and microaggressions. The impact of racism at work can be far-reaching. Affecting not only an individual’s job performance and career prospects but also their mental and physical health.

The issues between God and racism can complete very quickly. Recently there has been a great debate on teaching Critical Race Theory in America because some fear that CRT admonishes. All white people for being oppressors, while classifying all black people as hopelessly oppressed victims. Yes, it may happen. But even if it is not taught people can go to the internet and learn this theory in great detail. Nowadays, social media can be so influential – even more than schools or colleges.

The difference is known by everybody, but discussing the problem will get you a wide range of solutions. Our government, police, and society can help us to some extent. Still until and unless we revolutionize our consciousness and do not make this simple principle of deep conviction in our hearts a priority. The evil of racism will continue in society. 

Unfortunately, we think teaching Science, Math, Engineering, Law, etc., is essential for children, but also learning how to treat our fellow humans with dignity and respect and how best to live a life one can feel proud of – one that is just and right is even more important.

Still, lessons in practicing humility, tolerance, equal treatment, and justice cannot be ignored. And the common practice of resorting to intolerance should be stopped.

The height of the illusion is that one knows a person can drive a plane, repair a car or fight a case in court if and only if he has practiced making himself qualified. Still, we expect these saintly qualities to manifest in oneself automatically without practice. If not supported by our elders and leaders, where will they lead us, and will it be a place we will be happy?

Whether it’s a question of the external world or the inner world of human beings. No skill or quality can develop without regular practice and dedication. Since it’s an internal disease of an individual. The solution must come from inside but be encouraged and supported by those who want to because we understand the desirability of living in a just society. The preference of living in justice for all, for if not, you could be next to suffer in an untethered world ruled by fear and emotions.

All of us owe the search and cure of racism not only to those wronged but also to those who judged and have the power to affect the situations when we do not follow our better angels. But when we slip into the human darker characteristics of anger, fear, blame, and suspicion based on things we heard or told by our leaders or media industry, it could lead us to disaster.

Speaking about media, some do not consider that the surest way to increase viewers for news shows is to sensationalize them. Using fear and anger will get more to watch.

One of the key lessons in the Christian Bible is thou shalt, not judge. Yet that is what we do so easily. We are responsible for the crime of judging a person, and more, judging another unknown person by only what we see and not what is inside them. We need to strive to find out what is inside every one of God’s children. Remember, God created us equal, and not to just see what is outside to judge. For all to join in prejudiced emotions running unchecked without asking for wisdom and the universal love that God gave us.

References

[1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/anti-Semitism
[2]https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/18/learning/what-students-are-saying-about-race-and-racism-in-america.html
[3]https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/07/01/many-black-and-asian-americans-say-they-have-experienced-discrimination-amid-the-covid-19-outbreak/