Killing the Ugly Monster of Racial Faction

By Antipas Harris, CP Op-ed Contributor Thursday, July 14, 2016

Dr. Harris serves as Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Regent University as well as Director of the university's Youth & Urban Renewal Center.

Last week was a down week for our country. How we choose to process the turn of events will determine the future of our nation. I hope that we will resolve to listen and try to understand.

We cannot build community arguing. Each of us must share our stories with those who don't understand why we feel the way we feel.

Last Saturday morning, like many others I sat in the middle of the floor in my home office and wept, profusely. I cried about all of the recent tragic events; but not merely for those situations alone. I cried because all of the violence feels race related (the civilians as well as the police officers). I cried because there remains too much silence on these matters that have shaped a large part of the American narrative for centuries.

The stories reminded me that the ugly monster of racial faction is alive and well. It's a vicious monster. That monster must die; but it cannot die unless we kill it. If we don't kill racism, it will kill us — and it's already working to do that!

Jesus Christ's love and righteousness are able to kill that monster!

But, love is not pretense, and true righteousness is not self-righteous.

Love listens to the voice of the "other." Love does not pull of dirt and paint the violated persons in a negative light. We have to stop; listen; and try to understand where the "other" is coming from.

Compassion is when we make the sacrifice to listen and learn.

Silence is not peace. Peace is birthed from a fountain of justice and righteousness. We will not have peace until EVERYBODY is willing to speak up for righteousness.

We must cross the line of complacency to get to know and understand the "other" — whomever the "other" may be to you.

The problems we face are complex. There is no one solution. Together we move toward that solution when we understand that this is not a black problem or a white problem.

It is EVERYBODY's problem!

We need one another.

We need to bear collective responsibility. We must not falter as the days go by. The blood of civilians and police officers screams from the graves. We owe it to those who have suffered the ultimate price to build a better world. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to work together for a better day.

As for now, may the Holy Spirit bring healing and hope to the families of the deceased as well as all of us.

Dr. Antipas Harris holds advanced degrees from Boston University, Yale University and Emory University. He serves as Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Regent University as well as Director of the university's Youth & Urban Renewal Center. His wife is an assistant principal in the Virginia Beach public school system.