It's Time for Blacks and Whites to Talk About Race Issues

I trust real life experiences more than just about anything else. My biggest focus is getting my life experiences to line up with what the Bible says my experience is supposed to be. I basically don't trust anything I hear on the news. So I decided I need to actually communicate with some black people about their experience with the police. I always prefer first-hand information as I find it more trustworthy. 

I have asked six black friends to share with me about the discrimination they have experienced. The four I asked by email a couple of weeks ago have not gotten back to me. The two I connected directly with gave me the following answers. 

The first response came from an African American lady who had just given a 20-minute presentation in a church service about the teaching, feeding, and housing ministry she provided to black children in what she described as "the hood." I asked: “Are you or your children afraid of the police?” She was adamant as she stated, “No, and I teach the kids to honor the police and they will have nothing to fear.”

The second person was a successful businessman and pastor. I asked him, "Are you afraid of the police?" He said, “Yes, as I have been stopped numerous times on the highway and asked how I could afford such a nice car. I was doing nothing wrong. I told them if I was speeding, give me a ticket. Otherwise, let me go." 

I have never been stopped by the police and asked how I could afford the car I drive. So I agreed with him: we need additional police training. This is NOT fair or just. This is discrimination.

My wife Patti also asked a couple of her friends for their thoughts. Though neither of the women have had negative experiences with the police, they live in fear for their teenage sons and husbands, especially. One mother is going so far as to encourage her teen sons to live abroad after they graduate for their safety. On the other hand, a black man stated that he has no fear, and that he has only been stopped by police when he was actually speeding. The police were all white but treated him politely and with respect.

Clearly, not every police officer is a threat to the black population. But the level of fear, even among middle-class, law-abiding, Christian people of color also makes it clear that there is much more that needs to be done.

Outstanding 25-Minute Video on Race - You Will Learn a Lot

Phil Vischer (creator of Veggie Tales) has a second video out on race. You can view it here. In these 25 minutes he answers four questions, and I guarantee you will gain some new insights which will help you understand this complex issue.

1. What about the black families which are fatherless?
2. What about the welfare state & and the war on poverty?
3. Why do you say, “We did this”?
4. Beyond caring, what can we actually do?

Have you seen President Trump’s half-trillion dollar proposal to assist the black community? Click here to view a one page overview. I think it addresses many of the things which need to be changed.

But ultimately, this is a sin problem, a problem of the heart. And the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only true solution. We, as the Church, must work together as one Body, regardless of the color of our skin, our culture, our nationality, or our history. In Him there is no Jew or Gentile, no male or female, no slave or free, no black or white. We are all one in Christ Jesus. And we have the Truth that will change men's hearts! God is Love, and His love is shed abroad in our hearts. Will we see our suffering brothers and sisters and look away, passing by on the other side? Or will we feel compassion and turn aside from our own interests and pursuits to see and hear their hearts? Will we, like the Holy Spirit, come alongside them to help? 

What is the Lord calling you to do?

Race in America Series

1. Understanding and Responding to Racial Tension
2. Should I Just Hunker Down, Pray, and Try to Avoid All the Turmoil Engulfing the USA?
3. "All Sheep Matter!"
4. T. D. Jakes Explains Racial Issues in a Way I've Never Heard Them
5. A Lieutenant Discusses Racial Discrimination Within the NYPD
6. Perception, Presumption & the Pain of Not Belonging
7. What Can I Do To Help Heal Racial Tension?
8. It's Time for Blacks and Whites to Talk About Race Issues