Racism: You can't just pour it out

“Racism isn’t a bad habit; it’s not a mistake; it’s a sin. The answer is not sociology; it’s theology.” Tony Evans

While I appreciate Howard Schultz’s intent, I believe that he probably wasted time and money. Schultz, founder and former CEO of Starbucks, closed more than 8,000 of their U.S. stores for several hours on May 29^th,  to conduct anti-bias training in a company-wide effort to deal with the fallout over the arrest of two black men at a Starbucks in Philadelphia. After the incident last month, Starbuck’s leaders apologized and met with the men. They also scheduled an afternoon of training for their 180,000 employees on May 29^th.

  In the incident, Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson were asked to leave after one was denied access to the bathroom and they hadn’t purchased anything. Moments later they were arrested by police after they sat down to await a business meeting. It was all recorded on a cellphone and went viral, triggering protests, boycott threats and debate over racial profiling.  

  Starbucks acknowledged that the arrests never should have happened and has since announced anyone can use its restrooms, even if they’re not purchasing anything. In a company-wide move to combat racism (as well as a wise PR one), they scheduled workshops to train employees in racial sensitivity. It’s estimated the shutdown cost Starbucks $12 million.  

  First, let me say very candidly, when it comes to racism, I have more questions than answers. This evil is so pervasive and is seemingly growing. The answers are not simple and demand a long-term commitment.

  That being said, education is not the solution. Racism is not a head problem, it’s a heart problem. Even in the Church, we often buy into the myth that if we just teach people, i.e., educate them, we’ll solve a problem. Do any of us honestly believe that there’s anyone in America who doesn’t know smoking is hazardous to your health? There have been warning labels on cigarettes since 1965. “Education” has been unsuccessful in reducing smoking. Am I suggesting that we give up on educating about the evils of racism? Absolutely not. We must realize though education can’t overcome an evil heart.

  Legislation and more laws is not the solution. With the deification of government, we erroneously believe we can legislate out bigotry. We can’t. The multiplicity of more laws often only increases insensitivity. They become so ubiquitous and complicated, that they’re virtually unenforceable and are ignored. It’s a bit like overmedicating an elderly person with conflicting medications. You solve an ill yet cause others. That’s frequently the outcome of over-legislation.

  There is a place for legislation in combat bigotry, but it’s limited. Legislation can help. Our world would be much poorer without the heroic efforts of English politician, William Wilberforce, who poured his life into seeing the slave trade outlawed. Or, President Lincoln who ending up being assassinated for his commitment to seeing slaves freed in America.

  Racism is not just a black and white problem. It was very eye-opening in Taiwan when my son, Aaron, pointed out that Malaysians, who often are caretakers of the elderly in that culture, are sometimes discriminated against because they’re immigrants, are of a different ethnic group and can be powerless. Bigotry can find its place in any heart or ethnic group. Louis Farrakhan’s hatred is as abominable as the Imperial Wizard of the KKK.

  Let me suggest then some godly steps toward combatting bigotry.

  I must always begin with the sinner that I know best – ME. I must look in the mirror of God’s Word at my own heart. Because I’m easily self-deluded, I must ask the Spirit to search my heart (Ps. 139:23-24) and reveal sinful bigotry that may have hidden itself…and it’s a continual process.

  I must always see others as image bearers of God. Being color blind is as impossible as it is to ignore gender. Personally, I don’t think that we should be. Would anyone want to live in a world without the rich palette of color in God’s Creation? In the same way, shouldn’t we be grateful and appreciate the rich ethnic differences that God has ordained in humanity?

  Our recent trip to Taiwan created a love in my own heart that my new daughter-in-law had first sown – a love for Asians generally and the Taiwanese specifically. My growing appreciation for them was cultivated in that they’re so unlike me. Biblically, how can a Christian justify discrimination toward anyone for whom Christ died? “For God so loved the world” has not changed.

  The Church must re-focus its resources. Imagine firefighters coming upon a raging inferno, yet instead of attacking the hottest part of the blaze, they instead focus most of their resources on a few small brush fires? One only has to listen to the daily news to know where the greatest needs in America are. Where are the greatest problems with crime, violence, poverty and a myriad of other sociological evils? Are they in the suburbs? Small town America? No, they’re in our urban centers.

  The American Church needs to re-study the book of Acts and Pauline missionary methods. Paul focused on urban areas. Personally, I’m thankful for godly leaders like Tim Keller in New York City calling the American Church to focus on urban America. I’m thankful that we at Grace are able to partner with Tom and Joanna Kubiak as they plant a church in Chicago.

  Someday there will be no racism. Every believer will be part of a gathering from every tribe, people and language standing before the throne of the Lamb (Revelation 7:9). I want to be part of getting as many there from every people group as I can. Don’t you?  

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