One in Christ: The Offence of Racism
The past week has seen massive anti-racist demonstrations raising awareness of police brutality and systemic racism in the US. Similar demonstrations across Europe have stood in solidarity and sought to raise awareness of the lived reality of people of colour. While criticisms rage on all sides, we asked a number of black Christians in Ireland to share their heart with the body of Christ here. Here Pastor Yvon Luky reflects on the impact of racism.
RACISM IS AN OFFENCE AGAINST THE CREATOR
By Yvon Luky
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed many things in the way we relate one to another. This is unprecedented crisis, never seen in recent decades.
Confinement, isolation, social distance, face covering, no handshaking, no hugging etc., all this is redefining the way we socialise. In the absence of an effective vaccine, nobody knows what ‘normal life’ will mean tomorrow. Many questions are raised with no clear answer; some hidden inequalities emerge in broad daylight.
In the middle of that ‘societal questioning’, the dramatic death of George Floyd in the USA is reminding us of the damages of unchecked racism, embedded in most societies. Racism is like a ‘worm in the fruit’. While it may go unnoticed or be knowingly overlooked, not addressing it will eventually undermine the whole society. And one day, we will wake up and realise that the fruit is completely rotten, humanity is no longer valued and society is disintegrating.
“If an isolated experience of racism can be traumatic, can we imagine the impact of repeated exposures?”
Can we imagine the impact on an individual, can it be measured (taking into account the fact most of victims do not complain)?
One of the key questions that everyone should ask themselves is: would I be happy to be treated like I am treating the other person? The expected answer is no.
Racism deeply hurts because it attacks and attempts to dismantle and liquefy the human dignity of the other. No race is superior to another, we are all created in the image and after the likeness of God. Race is not a choice; it is determined by the Creator who values all His creatures. Nobody should be hated, mistreated, discriminated against, insulted, belittled, excluded or marginalised because of their race; it is an offence against the Creator.
No believer, no Christian should contemplate being insensitive, silent or un-reactive towards racism. We can all do something: talk about it, raise the awareness, contribute to stop it, promote dialogue and harmony in society, support the victims, pray for their relief or consolation, pray for the grace of the Lord to enlighten the perpetrators to understand that to love ‘your neighbour’ (Matthew 19:19) is fundamentally incompatible with racism. Racism is an expression of the lack of love, lack of empathy, a blatant disregard of the commandment of God. Simply put, racism is a sin.
Pastor Yvon Luky is an Irish citizen, originally from the DR Congo. He is the senior pastor of LA GRACE Christian Assembly in Dublin 12. He is also the Coordinator of the Platform of French Speaking Churches in Ireland [PEFI].
