When it comes to the issue of race, many today advocate that we take a “color-blind” approach. That is, in our interactions with people we should refuse to allow race to be a factor at all, whether we are interacting with a neighbor, talking about social issues, or choosing a Convention president. At this point in our history, however, a color-blind approach is counter-productive to achieving the racial unity we all desire.
Certainly, the sentiment behind a color-blind approach is a positive one. It stems from a desire to act in a way that is free from racism and achieves the dream set forth by Dr. King that we judge others not “by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” A worthy dream indeed! We desire to be color-blind because we want to put racism to rest – relegate it to the past. The only problem is that racism is not yet past. We have not yet achieved racial reconciliation. Race still matters, especially to people of color who remain on the receiving end of institutional racism. As much as we want to move past racism, we dare not act as though the problem is already behind us.
One reason many of us whites stumble, and why we don’t see racism where it exists, is that we view racism almost exclusively in personal, individualistic terms. As a result, we often deny or at least ignore the systemic racism that pervades our culture. We reject the idea of institutional racism precisely because we are not consciously engaging in discrimination and therefore do not feel racist. Yet, when we the majority unconsciously create systems in which whites have a favored status and white culture is preferred, we are indeed perpetuating a form of racism. Further, by keeping ourselves ignorant and thus silent about systemic racism, we give it our tacit approval and are passive participants in it. We are racist, even though in our minds and hearts we hold no racial prejudice.
We Southern Baptists are not conscious racists, but that does not mean that we have overcome racism as a denomination. Like the systemic racism in the larger society, our Southern Baptist culture, left alone, prefers whites. Now, I expect a statement that provocative will cause some to balk. After all, we do not intentionally exclude Blacks and other minorities from participation. Yet, collectively, we have maintained a culture and system in SBC life in which whites have a privileged status and only whites have held the highest positions of leadership.
Even though we don’t feel racist, if we accept a culture in which our race is preferred and in charge we are accepting a form of racism. We cannot claim color-blindness until our collective actions match our sentiment. If at this point we select our leaders and say, “I don’t see color,” we may think we are saying something noble. What we are unconsciously communicating, however, is that it’s ok if we never include African Americans or other non-whites in the highest positions of leadership as long as we don’t have ill will toward them in the process. Everyone is white, but that’s OK, because we don’t see color.
In the end, our color-blindness will not be measured by how we feel about other races or what we say about racism. The true measure will be whether we have demonstrated in our actions what we believe in our hearts. The true gauge of a color-blind denomination will be when blacks and other people of color feel welcome, respected, included, and trusted as equal partners with us.
Color-blindness a worthy pursuit, but it is a pursuit that is premature. We must first pursue a culture in which all races are valued and represented as equal partners. Only then will we have the basis on which to truly move beyond the issue of race. We cannot shortchange that process. We cannot act as though race is no longer an issue. Our intentions may be honorable, but mere intentions are not good enough. We cannot afford to be color-blind if the end result is the perpetuation of a whites-only reality.
This reality is why I think that the election of black president is a needed step. This is why I think that this first step should be followed by the continued selection of men and women of godly character and competence, of every race, to share in the leadership of our boards and agencies and be included among our entity heads. Until that happens, I will still see race – not because I don’t want to be color-blind, but because godly color-blindness is incompatible with a mono-color reality.
Really enjoyed this post, Todd. Are there any books that have informed your thinking on this issue (specifically the individualistic vs. structural/institutional analysis)?
BDW,
Over the past year, I have read extensively on multi-ethnic church, racial reconciliation, and trans-racial adoption. The particular thoughts about our individualistic approach to race came from my journal reflections after reading “Being White” by Paula Harris and Doug Schaupp; particularly what they called “unaware/covert racism”. Though, I am quite sure my thoughts have been influenced by other reading as well. My thoughts and experiences concerning race have been developing for some time, due in no small part to the calling God has placed on my life to minister in a multi-ethnic community.
Blessings,
Todd
Maybe it is just where I hang out but I really think this is changing in unexpected ways. Just last Saturday, I was at a large church for Upward Basketball. I was there most of the day and was very surprised to see so many couples who were either black/white or white parents with black children. It was not one or two but at least a dozen or so of this variation over the course of a day. In my own extended family several have adopted black children. What will be the outcome of this? It will be awesome and… Read more »
First time to comment here. I really appreciate this post and wholeheartedly agree. I’m encouraged to see that some in the denomination I grew up in are taking this view. Thanks for this – I hope it spurs further thought and reflection for us all.
Sounds like something influenced by university ethnic studies/anti-racism curriculae. Racism is not a social problem. It is a sin. We can no more truly be “rid” of racism than we can adultery, especially if we use Jesus Christ’s definition of adultery, which would preclude so much as glancing at the anorexic teenager-looking “models” that practically every advertising campaign relies on these days. Yes, regeneration through faith in Jesus Christ forgives our sin, but the Bible makes it clear that the old man, the sinful fallen nature, the body of sin and its effects on our thought and behavior, must be… Read more »
I am reminded of Isaiah’s declaration “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
All sin is individual, but it can also be societal and cooperative.
“All sin is individual, but it can also be societal and cooperative.” Of course. That is why I mentioned that it is extremely difficult not to be an adulterer in this society as this sin is described by Matthew 5:28. So what are we to do about this? We could A) follow the world and become feminists, B) distort Matthew 18:9 by plucking out our eyes or C) rely ever more on our identification with Jesus Christ. Societal and cooperative sin is still sin, so it is still dealt with in the same way: regeneration and sanctification. Granted, the world… Read more »
Job, that is a very thoughtful, probing, perhaps controversial post.
I hope others will read it in the spirit it was offered.
Thank you. Although if they don’t, I have only my own regrettable checkered history of unhelpful comments on SBC Voices (and SBC Today and SBC Tomorrow!) to blame 🙂
After reading this, I am imagining George Constanza trying to prove he wasn’t racist. I remember an Aesops Fable that applies here: WHEN A FOX who had never yet seen a Lion, fell in with him by chance for the first time in the forest, he was so frightened that he nearly died with fear. On meeting him for the second time, he was still much alarmed, but not to the same extent as at first. On seeing him the third time, he so increased in boldness that he went up to him and commenced a familiar conversation with him.… Read more »
And now for the rest of the fable:
Then the lion ate the fox and said, “Foxes make good desert.” 🙂
“””Now, I expect a statement that provocative will cause some to balk. “” Of course, it is now impossible to engage your post without being labeled a priori as a “balker.” But, I’ll go ahead any way. You use terms like “we” and “collectively” so I assume you me to indict all SBC groups. Fact is, our State Convention top leadership has not been white for decades. I’m sure that there are some racially sensitive Southern Baptists. I’m also sure there will always be racially sensitive Southern Baptists. But, to suggest there is some “insidious, sub-conscious, systemic” plan to exclude… Read more »
I believe my post is clear in saying that there is no intentional exclusion of blacks in our denomination. I am simply arguing that we will not achieve racial diversity in our participation and leadership unless we are intentional about inclusion. I am writing to counter the idea that we will somehow drift into diversity through a color-blind approach in our selection of leaders. Particularly, I am writing to support specific actions by our Convention such as adopting the report on ethnic diversity last year, the purposeful election of people of color to serve in leadership, and the intentional hiring… Read more »
“””Now, I expect a statement that provocative will cause some to balk. “” Of course, it is now impossible to engage your post without being labeled a priori as a “balker.” But, I’ll go ahead any way. You use terms like “we” and “collectively” so I assume you me to indict all SBC groups. Fact is, our State Convention top leadership has not been white for decades. I’m sure that there are some racially sensitive Southern Baptists. I’m also sure there will always be racially sensitive Southern Baptists. But, to suggest there is some “insidious, sub-conscious, systemic” plan to exclude… Read more »
I was just hoping this wouldn’t get overlooked in all the name-change furor.
Todd,
You kept referring to Southern Baptist’s in this post? Who’s that? Who are Southern Baptists?
David
🙂
Well, we are still Southern Baptists at least for a few more months 🙂
As you said here, Todd, the next good step will take place in June in NOLA when we elect Fred Luters. It won’t end the process, but it is a good next step.
We might be able to claim some level of color-blindness if nobody had ever even mentioned Fred Luter’s race.
@Bob Cleveland:
The Bible is not color blind (Acts 13:1, Jeremiah 13:23, Song of Solomon 1:5) so neither should we be. The challenge is dealing with racism and other issues Biblically, and not to let the world (whether conservative or liberal) set the agenda. My issue with this fellow’s piece is that it attempts to superimpose liberal secular race theory (and I am no fan of conservative race theory either I should point out) into a Christian context.
Job,
I am not suggesting that racism is not a sin issue nor am I touting a liberal secular agenda, but I am saying that we will not overcome racism by ignoring race as a present issue. I’m trying to understand your objection to my post. If you can summarize your objection in a few concise statements, I will try to respond.
Blessings,
Todd
@Todd Burus Benkert: Why is racism a problem that the church should respect? Because it is a sin. For no other reason. Why is it a sin? Consider Romans 13:8-10 reads “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no… Read more »
One objection is that you paint with such a broad brush and you use your experience (obviously not in the West) as the measure everywhere. As I said in another post, our State Convention has been non-White at the highest levels of leadership for over two decades, or at least two decades. Another objection, and I think Job points this out, is that you define racism as an “unconscious attitude.” Well, until an attitude becomes an action it cannot be dealt with, for one. Also, if it is unconscious it cannot be dealt with. So, your post could appear to… Read more »
Job and Frank, I think your criticisms have merit and are well received. In a short essay such as mine, some things get overlooked or assumed and thus become legitimate points of critique. Job, on the issue of sin – I do not ignore it as much as I assume it as such. Racism is most definitely a sin and affects us individually and collectively. I still submit the distinction between individual and corporate sin is hard to see because we tend to think exclusively in individualistic terms. You mention lying and stealing as individual sins, yet in both cases… Read more »
Todd, I accept your spirit on the matter. My question would be, “when is enough, enough?” What would it take for you and others to declare, “racism is no more of a problem in our Convention than say, infidelity?” I personally do not think there will ever be such a point for some people. There are people who literally make a living on the “race” issue. As long as we try to deal with it at a National Convention level, it will continue to be a problem, in my humble opinion. Remember, nothing done at the Convention is binding on… Read more »
I don’t think that time is that far off, but there are some remaining hurdles to overcome. I think we’ve come a long way in overcoming overt intentional racism and perhaps we can say that for the most part, that kind of racism is behind us. The biggest hurdle in front of us is what my friend Raymond calls “true relationship building and cultural competence.” Until we learn to have meaningful relationships across racial and ethnic lines, I think we will still struggle with some forms of unintentional exclusion. Until that time, we will have to be more deliberate in… Read more »
I repeat. When we make note of someone’s race, when telling others about him, we lose a claim to color-blindness.
As a Southern Baptist minister who studied Black History (now called African American History) in undergraduate, graduate (M.A.), wrote a prospectus for a Doctoral Dissertation in Black History at an Ivy League School, and then did my project for the Doctor of Ministry on Christian Love & Race Relations, following my years growing up on a sharecropper’s farm in Arkansas, I do think we need to awaken to the reality that the relationship between Blacks and Whites definitely needs improving. This past Feb. 5 our son had a Black man who joined his church. He has a few others in… Read more »
dr. james willingham – Every time I read all your credits I remember that you believe a Novel which is fiction is a History Book. Amazing.
Remember the Da Vinci Code , Illuminticus – Both Novels – Not History Booksto from which to take facts.
I understand the thoughts of the writer but I think we need to go deeper than the statement “continued selection of men and women of godly character and competence”. We have coninued to move unqualified people into positions becuase of “Quotos”. I remember as a Fire Department Chaplain our training was altered to meet the needs of women. Up until that time firemen were required to carry 150# dead weight 50 yards. None of the women applying could do it. So we lowered the standards to 125# 25 yards. Some of the firemen put signs on the fireboxes that said:… Read more »
Job, Could racism be the exclusion or isolation of a person based upon the color of his or her skin? If so, and this is prominent in our churches yesterday and today, would the exclusion or isolation of economic status, social status, education status, job, hair length/color, fashion, beauty and abilities be consider a cultural type of “racism”? If so, should we deal with this kind of sin in the same way you have grouped the sins of the 10 Commandments? BTW, I wish I could have said what you have said the way you have said it because I… Read more »
Todd,
I didn’t know that I would live long enough to see a “Southern-Great Commission Baptist ” speak with this level of heartfelt understanding and truth. If your thinking in this post represent growing and majority SBC thinking, our convention has a bright, prosperous, and “colorful” future ahead. Thanks Todd. Great job.
I encourage anyone who has engaged in this discussion to read a critique of my post by Raymond Dix, now on SBCvoices.
Mr. Wolford, I sure would like to know what in the world you are reading. I seldom read fiction these days, preferring more objective materials.
I think a better word is color blessed. Folks who are color blind have a tendancy to make insulting remarks to others of color. I pray we are headed in a good direction. One thing I do know: if love won’t bring us together, pain sure will. SBC has a long way to go. I guess they will love us girls next.