Racism, Redskins, and Advent

Here we are, half way on our journey to Christmas 2014. Here we are in the midst of the Season of Peace, Joy, and Good Will to all. And yet, our daily news reflects anything but peace, joy, and good will. At the same time the ugly problem of racism and hate has raised its ugly head, again. The problem is about something more than racial profiling, or the predicament that police encounter somewhere on every shift. It is something more than black and white, or even red. In a minor footnote, the Oklahoma City School Board on Monday night voted that Capitol Hill High School change its mascot “redskins”. Note: All of my brothers are graduates of Capitol Hill and my wife (although I would never speak for her). I must confess I had not thought much about the meaning of “redskins” until I read “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” before visiting South Dakota last year. When I learned the historical roots of the word and the hate and atrocities that it represents, I found it heart breaking. To those who are CHHS graduates it has become a hot topic in social media the past few days. As one classmate wrote, “It should have been changed years ago.” But there are many other and more emotional words not reflecting that statement. How do we counter racism in the brokenness of our world? One fellow pastor wrote this, “We must accept that we all make mistakes. Once we can forgive each other’s mistakes, we have enough humility to live in harmony; the lion with the lamb; white, black, red and yellow together; rich and poor; one religion with another as well as contrasting philosophies. No one is superior, no one has the only truth, but all have gifts they can share. All have the potential to celebrate these gifts and learn from them.” ( A. Luiza M.) Then there is this from a professional football player who said, “…ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own…” Hmmm Benjamin Watson, New Orleans Saints player, you are sounding a lot like John the Baptist crying out in the wilderness. Before we can reach peace, joy, and good will, we might need some time on our knees for good old fashioned repentance. With a song in my heart, SoulSongWriter