Crazy to think that the year is 2017, and the KKK actually has the gall to literally put on sheets and march in the name of white supremacy and “Christianity”. My mind is boggled, and this mindset of superiority makes no sense. What breaks my heart more is that many people marching with this hate group are in my age range (young 20s). So in the name of being a millennial I hope that discussing racism, Christianity, and culture will produce change, acceptance, and the spreading of love.
Racism is a global issue. You can go anywhere in the world and witness it (History lesson). Racism in America dates back to the founding of this country and the separation and superiority of European Americans over African Americans. Legally, slaves were counted as a fraction of a person. Fortunately, years later slavery was eradicated, but African Americans were not successfully integrating into society as human beings (sad, I know). Many white Americans wanted to be separate from African Americans but they would still be equal ( Plessy vs. Ferguson 1896).
As a result black and white people were legally separated. Fast forward about 50-60 years, and African Americans began to be seen as equal human beings, and fought for the dismantling of segregation. But we all know that laws change easier than the culture does. With the rise and fight for Civil Rights came a group of people believing that black people are less than white people and that is how God ordained it. As a black Christian I just want to say, that is a heretical train of thought against the teachings of Jesus.
The KKK began marauding through African American neighborhoods at night and domestically terrorizing the people. Whether attacking and murdering African Americans, burning crosses in lawns, or lynch mobs; they did all of this in the “ name of Jesus” sadly.
After the passing of the movement, and the 70s, 80s, and 90s, things started to change (or we think they did). In 2008, America had its first black president elected and everyone begin to think that racism was dead. Interracial relationships become more prevalent, not too many bad things were happening so the American people began to buy into the thought that it (racism) had finally been decimated.
Then in 2016, the polar opposite of President Obama is elected. A man who is on record making racist remarks and promoting violence, and now in 2017 the KKK is still marching. This is not ok. Racism is not ok. Thinking you are better than ANYONE is not ok. Preaching and promoting hate is NOT OK. Saying it’s under the name of Jesus is NOT OK. But my faith is in Jesus and not any other broken person (just like myself) to fix what is wrong with us, but something has got to change, and fast.
I mean what is asinine to me is the fact that my grandparents who are in their early 60s told me stories about the KKK. Now being a 22 year old black man in America these cowards are still making headlines. I don’t understand. Yet here in America, it is culturally required for citizens to respect, and honor an anthem that ends with the sentences “ Land of the free, home of the brave”. However, cowards are still hiding behind masks, and many people are still held captive by racism. What a conundrum.
- Mijah Gift
This article is apart of a larger series dealing with racism, christianity, and culture. We will be posting more on these subjects in the future.