Season: 3 Episode: 028
Summary:
In order to solve any problem in our society, we must ask ourselves, “How did we get here?” If we don’t get to the heart of the issue, resolution only goes skin deep. Racism is an issue of the heart and its origin is found back in the Garden of Eden, and entered the heart of the human race. There is a solution, but it won’t be found in the way the world tells you to solve your problems today. Join me on today’s episode as we have a hard conversation that will make all of us evaluate our heart.
Quotables:
“Racism is a form of pride that showed up in the garden of Eden”
“As long as there is the human race, there will be racism.”
“The human condition will also strive to elevate itself because the enemy didn’t come to get us to worship him, he came to get us to worship ourselves.”
“We are not called to change the world first. We are called to lay our own hearts before the Lord.”
Recommended Resources:
Website: shandafulbright.com
Blog: If I Perish, I Perish
Instagram and Facebook: @shandafulbright
Email: hello@shandafulbright.com
Join my Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2584147064952378/?ref=group_browse
Free Resources: https://www.shandafulbright.com/lihks
YouTube: Shanda Fulbright
Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison
Feel free to email with questions or episode topics. If you recommend a topic for an episode and I use it, I will dedicate it to you.
Script:
Welcome back, my friend. You are listening to episode 28: Is Racism the Problem?
I’m going to warn you right now, this is going to be a heavy episode. We are going to have some hard conversations and we are going to get to the heart of the problem today.
I want to express to you that if you have listened to me for any length of time, you will see that I have a biblical worldview. I hope to do a podcast episode on what that entails and what that means soon, but for now … remember that term and understand that I view the world from the word of God and believe it holds the answer for everything under the sun.
I also want to thank my friend Sharon Fletcher @refreshingmomentswithsharon for recommending “Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s heart for Racial Reconciliation” by Latasha Morrison.
I also want to thank Amanda Devane for her suggestions and information about what we can do to speak up about racism in our culture.
But … I also want you to know that just because I have been provided resources, I will ALWAYS let the word of God have the final say.
I want all my listeners to know that I will NEVER (God, help me) say things to tickle your ear or to make people like me. I’m not here for that.
There’s only the approval of One that matters to me and that’s the One who died for my sins.
If you’re white and you’re listening to this, it may get a little uncomfortable at times. If you’re black and you’re listening to this, it may get uncomfortable at times. And if you’re brown, tan, light skinned or whatever color you are … it may get uncomfortable at times.
Why? Not because I look for confrontation. On the contrary, I told my husband the other day that I wish God would pick someone else to speak His word to sometimes. Because it’s heavy and people won’t like you when you do.
Then I had to repent and say, “This is my lot in life.” It’s a privilege to be able to speak and share the only words that will outlast all of mankind because His word will never pass away … but we will. We will stand before God one day and give account for the truth we upheld and lived.
And it won’t always sound good or feel good.
Because the truth grates our human nature and it puts us in our place and it forces us to make a decision. And that’s a good thing because that’s how hearts are changed and then the world follows suit.
There is a lot we can cover on this topic, so I’m going to start by laying the foundation. This episode may be longer than 15-20 minutes, but I want to do it justice. There will be a few friends on in the near future to talk about their experiences with racism in our country because it’s important to me to hear from people of all colors.
I don’t just talk to hear myself speak.
I have asked God to set a guard over my mouth and make sure the words I share are anointed by the Holy Spirit and bring all of us to our knees at the foot of the cross.
We as individuals: as white people, black people, brown people and the like, need to evaluate our own hearts and be honest with ourselves as God shines the light of His word in the dark places of where we don’t want to go within our own souls.
Because as He says, “There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed.” That means we may try and hide our prejudices, but God’s word can and does expose them.
As I’m sure you have seen and heard all sorts of opinions and people this week, I’ve heard them too.
I’ve heard many opinions about racism, riots, looting, whether it’s wrong to use the #blacklivesmatter, and so many other things lately.
People have quoted verses out of context to condone ungodly behavior. I’ve polled people on social media who come from different backgrounds, experiences, and views.
And today, I am going to use the platform God has given me to speak truth to a very real and sensitive situation in our nation.
I ask that you listen. And then I ask that you look up the verses for yourself and measure your heart to them.
I want to start with the results of the poll I took on IG last week.
Question: Do you feel racism is out of control in our country? Yes: 71% No: 29%
Question: Have you been discriminated against because of the color of your skin?
Yes: 44%No: 56%
Do you actively advocate against racism within your community? Yes: 28% No: 72%
Do you feel the media focuses on racism and divides the country without bringing solutions?
Yes: 86%No: 14%
Is race ever a factor in your decision making? Yes: 24% No: 76%
Not everyone answered the last question: is race ever a factor in your decision making. Some answered it honestly and then messaged me and told me because everyone has prejudices, or if they were to be honest, they do.
However, what I gathered from this small poll on my stories is that many people say there’s a problem, many say they’re not part of the problem, and many say they’re doing nothing about the problem.
That’s one of the biggest take aways I find from this poll.
Let me also say I got more responses from this poll than any other poll I’ve done. And many people reached out to me with their own experiences. What I’ve learned is that every skin color has their own experiences. Some are good, some aren’t and we need to listen to one another before we assume we know or understand what they’ve been through.
For some of my Hispanic friends, they have experienced racism within their own families because they don’t speak Spanish well enough or because they aren’t as in touch with their culture.
So everyone has experiences and we all need to listen.
Just so you know, I want to bring awareness to the fact that Jesus didn’t invent race. The book I am recommending to you today is a book recommend to me by my friend Sharon: Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison, and she said God only mentioned ethnic groups.
Man did what God told Samuel we do all too well … we looked at the heart and divided one another based on skin color. God made peoples of different tribes and tongues at the tower of Babel because they weren’t doing any good banding together and lifting themselves up against God.
I’ll get to the origin of racism soon, and explain more about how pride and evil hearts have everything to do with it.
I also want to share some real statistics that bring reality into this situation other than what is being portrayed in the media, and the narrative that’s striking fear into the hearts of others on social media. I hope to end with that.
So, what will we ask ourselves today?
- How did we get here? Before we can come up with any solution, we must find out why we’re here.
- Can we overcome racism?
- What can we do right now? And what must we stop doing?
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How did we get here?
It shouldn’t be a surprise that racism exists today. Why? Because as long as there is the human race, there will be racism.
Racism is a condition of the heart. If we only speak to colors right now, our message only goes skin deep. But, if we get to the heart of the problem and speak words that transform the heart, we can and will see real change.
If you go back to Genesis, you will see that pride entered the heart of man once Adam and Eve sinned. When they hid in the bushes and made their own fig leaves to cover their shame, pride was shown.
Pride elevates itself against the knowledge of God and all men. Satan was filled with pride and wanted to set his throne above God’s. (Isa 14:13)
Pride entered mankind heart at the fall.
The enemy told Eve, “You can be like God … “ That was the pitch he gave when he deceived her into eating the fruit. That’s the very thing he desired when he challenged God before that day in the garden.
Because she thought she could elevate her position to “god status” she took the bait and ate the fruit. And now, we as the children of Adam and Eve are tempted, in many ways, to do the same. One of those ways is by comparing skin color to skin color and elevating ourselves above our fellow man.
The human condition will also strive to elevate itself because the enemy didn’t come to get us to worship him, he came to get us to worship ourselves.
Racism was born from pride which is a matter of the heart. Proverbs tells us, “Above all, guard your heart. For out of it flow all the issues of life.” Notice what it doesn’t say, “Guard your skin color.”
We also must remember that all people were born of Adam and Eve so all people of every color wrestle with pride and prejudices.
Now, with that being said … we must acknowledge the history of our nation. We, as white people, cannot be offended when we revisit and understand the evil of racism in our country no matter if we owned slaves or not.
The history of racism is part of the fabric of our nation. As a teacher, I taught my students about MLK, Rosa Parks and Frederick Douglas (whose story I love, btw), because they stood for the very things that bring awareness to not only the treatment of our black brothers and sisters, but the attitudes in which we have toward them.
I’m going to be brutally honest with you and say that every time I learned black history, I would get offended because I’ve never owned a slave and I’ve never said the “n” word. I took it personally in some ways and in other ways it infuriated me that people could treat others that way.
But over the years, I have realized that that’s not the point.
The point is we are to bear one another’s burdens according to the gospel of Jesus Christ (Gal 6:2). And so I started asking questions.
The truth is, your experiences aren’t my experiences. And my experiences aren’t yours.
And to my black brothers and sisters I want to add that it is wrong to lump every white person into one mold. We cannot judge the heart of man and call every one of them racist because of our history as a nation. That is judging the heart and again, only God can do that. Psalm 44:21 says “Would not God discover this? For He knows the secrets of the heart.”
As we discuss racism today, I want us not to forget our other brothers and sisters of color.
I have a lot of brown friends. I live in Cali and we are a very diverse state. We border Mexico and we have a lot of Mexican culture here where I live. We have many dual language schools in our city and I chose to put my youngest in dual language where he is learning to speak Spanish and learn a lot about the Mexican culture.
And some of my brown friends have expressed that racism has happened to them too and we don’t talk about it enough.
We need to be sensitive to all and listen to each other.
2) Can we overcome racism?
I have two separate answers for this. First, for as long as their is the human race, there will always be prejudices and racism.
We are not called to change the world first. We are called to lay our own hearts before the Lord. That’s your job and mine. Racism and prejudices are something we have to deal with before the Lord.
There are different types of racism that I think is a good idea to understand. But these terms will not take away from the fact that the root of all racism is pride. So, remember that as we go over them.
The reason I feel it’s important to understand what’s being said on social media and in then news right now is so you are careful what you want to share and careful to respond.
Individual racism: an individual’s racist assumptions, beliefs, or behaviors – both conscious and unconscious personal prejudices.
System racism: policies and practices entrenched in established institutions which result in the exclusion or promotion of designated groups.
No matter what kind of racism it is … it’s wrong.
The real matter I want to address is, can we overcome racism? I’ve seen many white people this week told they can’t post about MLK because they’re not black (mind you this was from other white people).
When white people defend people of color they’ve been accused of being racist and not even knowing it … subconsciously, they’re racist and can’t speak up.
First, it is unbiblical for any Christian to stay silent when there’s injustice. Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted.”
So, I want to make a side note here by telling you to speak against injustice.
No matter what color you are … because if you’re a Christian, that’s your job. If you don’t you’re wrong.
Some white people have said they don’t know what to say. Open God’s word and speak the words that address the situation. If you’re black, don’t accuse your white brother and sister of being racist if their actions don’t show that.
But is that statement true? Are white people racist and don’t know or don’t want to admit it?
My best answer is … maybe. But that goes for every skin color.
Now, before anyone gets mad let’s take it back to the word of God. Because we have to remember that racism, regardless of whether it’s learned, or however it came to be … it’s an evil of the heart.
Remember, the origin of racism is rooted in pride and pride is a product of the human condition that showed up in the fall of man back in the garden.
There are a few verses that come to mind on this issue alone.
First, Jer 17:9 says, “The heart of man is desperately wicked in all its ways. Who can know it?”
Second, David prayed this to God in Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me and know me. See if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Why does David ask God to search him? Because we can easily lie to ourselves. We don’t know the wickedness of our own hearts. Only God can search the depths of our hearts and reveal to us what’s hidden in the canyons of it.
But notice this verse doesn’t speak to a skin color. It speaks to the heart of mankind … meaning all peoples of the earth.
That means all men and women of all skin colors can and do have prejudices hidden in their hearts.
It is your responsibility to take your own heart before the Lord and ask Him to search you no matter what color your skin is. Sin is sin and the devil’s not racist. He will gladly take every soul to hell because every soul bears the image of God.
We love to quote Jesus’ words, “Don’t judge lest ye be judged” out of context, but not when it comes to judging others about racism? That’s hypocrisy and unacceptable.
But, I will say this again, we as white people must be willing to admit that the majority of racism in this country was done by white people. That’s where a lot of the hurt comes from and where it resurrects from.
So, don’t be afraid to have those conversations. Learn, listen and stand up for justice in all aspects.
3) What can we do starting now? Because we don’t have yesterday. We need to move forward better, stronger and together.
First, listen. Listen to people of all races, backgrounds and experiences. Sometimes we box ourselves in with our thinking and we don’t want what we believe to be challenged. It doesn’t mean you will agree, but it does mean you will understand.
I had some backlash from my quote today that said, “If you want to join a movement that brings change, join the one Jesus started 2,000 years ago.” To every person who disagreed with me, I heard them out. I respect their opinion; that doesn’t mean I have to agree.
James 1:19 tells us to be slow to speak, quick to listen and slow to anger. Anger clouds our judgment and keeps us from hearing the speaker. But I see more anger on all sides lately than I do listening and being slow to speak.
Second, speak truth and stand up for injustice.
Again … I repeat … we are to stand up for all injustice.
For George Floyd, for racism, for cops being killed, for innocent people’s property getting destroyed. We don’t get to pick and choose what’s unjust here.
And at the same time, the innocent people getting their businesses destroyed and livelihood taken away, beaten in the streets for getting in the way of rioters … we must speak for them too.
You can be appalled by both because injustice is injustice.
And as Christians we are to stand up and protect the innocent and the ones who cannot defend themselves.
I’ve heard Christian friends say rioting and looting is OK because property is not as important as a life. Easy to say when it’s not your property or your livelihood.
I’ve had some Christian friends try and pull scripture to support the looting and rioting. That’s called Isogesis folks because we are supposed to start with the Bible and work our way out, not the other way around. Any time you find a verse to support your view and opinion you are walking a thin line.
Along with that, Amanda (the one who provided me with resources) said she actively works to call out racism in the workplace. When you hear people saying things about races, using racial slurs, etc … call them out. Bring awareness to it. It’s as easy as that.
Third, do not use rhetoric that brings division.
Again, God never divides and when we do we are sinning. Again, speak to the hearts of men with the word of God. Rightly divide truth because that is mine and your responsibility as Christians and trust me when I tell you that God will hold us to it.
Not all cops are bad. We have common sense to know that.
When we give the impression that all of one race, class, gender, or occupation are a certain way, we put innocent people in danger and divide.
We are really good at dividing. And Paul spoke about division in Romans 16:7 when he said, “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”
When we cause division, we are sinning and it’s not biblical.
Fourth, fill your life with color.
I desire that my ministry have ladies of all races, backgrounds, and cultures represented. Our churches need to be filled with leaders of all colors.
This situation in our country today has really brought to light the importance of uniting together for the kingdom and I need to do a better job of it.
Latasha Morrison founded the nonprofit organization Be the Bridge, and she said we don’t need to say we’re colorblind. Actually, we need to see the beauty in each color and recognize all are made in the image of God and make up the body of Christ.
Get all colors involved in your churches, your schools, your ministries.
Fifth, stop and think before you post.
What are you sharing on social media? How are you treating others and whose truth are you regurgitating?
In the last week, I have seen so many shared quotes, memes, and graphics. I’ve heard many of the same trending hashtags from Christians who band together with unchristian movements.
So, so unbiblical. As the body of Christ, we are to share the word of God because only it will change the heart of mankind. And oddly enough, some Christians are offended when I say the Christian movement is enough to change the world.
I fear the reason we don’t share enough of the word in times like these is for a couple of reasons:
1) Because we don’t value its power. We don’t know what it can really do so we don’t speak it, we speak the words of men. And that’s a shame.
2) We don’t know it well enough to speak it into the situations we’re facing right now because we don’t know how to apply it. And that’s a tragedy for the church.
3) We have been so ingrained by culture, that culture impacts our response more than God’s word does. And for that reason alone, the church is losing its power to make a difference in this world.
If you’re white and feel like you are being insensitive if you don’t share from organizations such as black lives matter … you’re just silencing yourself. The word of God supports your black friends, your brown friends and any other color today because Jesus has a big table and He wants all of us to sit at it.
Speaking God’s word is enough. I am not sure why that’s so controversial right now.
Final thoughts:
I’ll be honest with you and say that my heart is grieving. I grieve for the state of this nation and I get discouraged at times because I am a measly little podcaster whose not sure how big of an impact I’m making.
It’s not enough for me to call myself a social media missionary, and be OK with it. And that’s pretty much what evangelism is resorting to in this country.
True religion is helping the widows an the orphans.
My sister adopted my nephew, Preston and he is black. She’s as white as they come. He loves her and she spoils him rotten. You can hear her story on episode 6 if you want to see how that came to be.
She’s had to learn how to take of his hair because it is super curly. We, as a family, need to teach him about his black history, embrace his culture and help him be proud to be black. Because that’s what he is. And he’s beautiful.
We can come together. We all need to share our experiences and show the love of Jesus. Not just learn to say all the right things.
So, yes … I grieve. And many of you are grieving too.
I grieve for those hurting in this nation. I grieve for the black mom who fears for her little boys because I’m a mom too. For the wife of the police officer who fears for her husbands life because of the unmentionable acts of another police office, I grieve.
I grieve for my white friends who legitimately love their black friends and feel like they have no right to speak up.
I grieve for what we’re teaching our kids of all colors. What are we doing to our future generations because we can’t get it together?
Well, I’m done sitting around crying about it.
It’s time to rise up and link arms and stop repeating other peoples false narratives and get back to the word of God because our answer is found in it.
So remember, do good. Bring it down to a simple thing such as this …be kind. If we cannot do that, we have a heart problem.
Second, pray for this nation. Pray, repent, turn from the ways that do not honor God and He will heal our land. But not until we do.
Thanks for joining me today. I’ll catch you on the next one.
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