How Can We Become Anti-Racist?

The words human race, are described in Webster's Collegiate Dictionary as, "a family, tribe, people, or nation belonging to the same stock: a class or kind of people unified by community of interests, habits, or characteristics: a division of mankind possessing traits that are transmissible by descent and sufficient to characterize it as a distinct human type: inherited temperament or disposition: distinctive flavor, taste, or strength." Notice within this definition, we are, "a class or kind of #people unified." These words clearly help us to see that we are all "one kind" members of the human family. We are variations of races but still united as one part of the #human race.

How to be Anti-Racist

The television show Good Morning America featured a powerful discussion on How To Be An #Anti-Racist. Changing the Way We Think About Race. News correspondent Deborah Roberts explained, “There is no question we are a country that is in pain but if there is a glimmer of hope in the midst of all of this’s it’s the conversations that are springing up lately. I’ve had them with family, friends and colleagues. Many are not people of color but they are people with an aching heart and a deep desire to see change in this country and most important change within themselves. For Jamie Jones Coleman, those protests challenging the status quo feel personal. Her husband of ten years Reggie is black and they’re raising to bi-racial sons Caleb and Gabriel.“ The wife of Reggie and mother of their two sons who is white made these interesting points, “My boys are viewed in this world as black and as a white parent of a multi-racial child its imperative upon me to try to help prepare them for their world the best that l can.“ Deborah went on to reveal how Jamie’s eyes have truly been opened. Jamie continues by stating, “l think the biggest thing that l realized being married to a black man in the United States today is that when people meet me they never fear me.” She has obviously seen and experienced how some people have treated her husband differently based on fear because he is black.

The interviews continued by Deobrah Roberts of Good Morning America. She spoke with highly respected author Ibram X. Kendi who wrote the very popular book, How To Be An Anti-Racist. Kendi continued by expressing, “Racial disparity and inequities are everywhere. They are all around us. They are in almost every neighborhood and institution.“ Deborah shared this outstanding point from Ibram Kendi’s book, “In his book #How To Be An Anti-Racist author and professor Ibrams X. Kendi offers a blueprint for creating a just society and since change begins with understanding and clearly defining terms like racist and anti-racist. There is no such thing as not racist. In other words we are either being racist or anti-racist. We are either expressing that the racial groups are better or worse than others.“ Roberts then asked, “So what does it mean to be anti-racist?“ Ibram explained, “What it means to be anti-racist is to express anti-racist ideas meaning all the racial groups are equal. No racial group is better or worse than another and also advocate for anti-racist policies and these are policies that lead to racial equity and justice.”

Deborah Roberts also conducted another impactful interview with author Jennifer Harvey who stated, “Anti-racism is a verb. It’s a behavior!“ Deborah continues by explaining, “Jennifer Harvey is an author who writes about white parents raising kids in a just society says, ‘Creating a new normal maybe uncomfortable but change usually is. A lot of white Americans might feel afraid or uncomfortable to start talking about race but of course that’s nothing like the fear that families live with all the time. Start speaking, we might make mistakes but we’ll get better at it. For those invested in change, (1) Educate Yourself.“ Jennifer then went on to explain, “This is not the time to ask your black friend or ask your neighbor what you need to know about racism? We can buy black scholar’s books, we can download and support podcasts. We can watch media that people of color have produced.” Deborah then injected the idea, donate. Jennifer suggested, “(2) Actively Support both locally and nationally people of color businesses, racial justice groups and elected officials. Show up to stand with people of color in your community who are in the streets fighting for change. For me to listen to people of color. To listen to their experiences. To know their truth as best l can. Knowing that l will never be in their same world but l can listen to their words.”

Deborah Roberts of GMA closed out the interviews with these encouraging words, “If there is anything that seems to be different right now its that so many are digging deep and searching for information on books, on justice and equality which seems to be flying off the shelves or certainly out of bookstore. But the experts caution today as you know that this can’t be a one and done thing. A one book or let’s take a look at this one time. Long term commitment they say is all about awareness and action. And as you heard in this piece just now #anti-racist behavior is a verb, an action verb. I thought that was very interesting.”

Racism We Deal with Daily and the Pain it Causes

Previously, on the news was the major discussion of the #racist comments made by #Donald Sterling, owner of the L.A. Clippers. He discussed with his mistress how it bothered him that she posed with a black person on Instagram. How sad that in the year of 2020, we are still faced with issues concerning the color of our skin. When our Heavenly Father Jehovah, looks down on the earth, do you think he cares about the color of our skin or the way we treat each other? The Bible clearly says that "You must not take vengeance nor hold a grudge against the sons of your people and you must love your fellow man as yourself. I am Jehovah." (Leviticus 19:18) New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures

Recently, while participating on a fishing trip in the state of Delaware, two young white couples were on the pier. They seem pleasant but spoke with a deep southern tone. It was obvious they were intoxicated, as they returned to their vehicle. Once on the back of their truck and within the truck's cab, two of them screamed the word, "niggers." Hearing this word was somewhat shocking. It had been years since such a vicious word was expressed to me personally. Sure, their state of intoxication could have been the problem but it was a little uncomfortable to see such young people, still had this mentality. It is also amazing when you hear or see other races, place themselves above another race because of skin color or heritage. After all, we are all still part of the human race, with the same bone structure, inner organs and need of oxygen. We are just covered in a different package of skin, which makes us all unique in the eyes of our Grand Creator.

When we carefully consider the insightful words from our Heavenly Father concerning the first humans Adam and Eve, "And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation . . ." (The Holy Bible Revised Standard Version) The point we must all accept and appreciate is, we are all "offspring of Adam and Eve." Understanding these very principles helps us to see why, "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation, any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him." (Acts 10:34, 35) We all originate from the same pool of genes. What a tremendously remarkable possibility, concerning the reality of the human race. When we come to the realization of this fact; no race will feel they are better than the other which causes #hatred and derision. Never would we want to be part of such degrading thoughts and activities.

#Racism or any form of prejudices are hurtful to its victims. Those who practice hatred against their fellow brothers and sisters will not be in the new world because Jehovah God promises pain would not exist anymore. You cannot inherit God's kingdom causing pain through racist statements and actions. Regardless, of your status or skin color, you will not be a part of that new world Jesus taught us to pray for in the model prayer. So, again you must truly consider whether that sinful tendency will cause you to be eliminated from the possibility of gaining everlasting life due to stubborn stupidity. Do you utilize your skin color in an attempt to make yourself superior to control others? If so, do you realize this life is temporary that we presently live in? Think carefully and be prayerful about what you practice and believe because our Heavenly Father Jehovah can read our hearts. God knows what we are thinking and why we feel the way we do. May you utilize your life now for something that actually benefits the world rather than focusing on skin color which is shallow and ignorant.

Disclaimer: The writer has no control over the ads or events that surround this article. Angelladywriter does not receive payment for these types of articles but volunteers her talent to encourage others about God’s Kingdom explained throughout the Bible.