09 April 2012

DeYoung on racism

Kevin DeYoung offers some helpful thoughts about racism.  I am not sure he gets it entirely right.  I don't think any of us do.  But he is approaching it from a position of humility and seeking to understand, and that is a good thing.  I did like his concluding paragraph:

"In conclusion, let me suggest two simple things white Christians can do that would be huge steps in the right direction toward racial harmony. One, we can understand that we don’t understand what it is like to be black and then try our best to see what we don’t understand. Let’s admit we are clueless about a lot of stuff. Two, we could chillax on the racial front and just be normal friends with the minorities we know. Talk about stuff you like. Talk about your kids. Talk about the Bible. Talk about the gospel. Of course, be open to talking about the sticky racial issues, even though you might be uncomfortable or might see new sins. But don’t make friends with blacks so you can say 'my black friend says' or because you want to know 'how black people think' or because you are passionate about social justice. Just make friends because you are friendly. Don’t go looking for a social laboratory. Go out and meet someone you don’t know. Take it easy, be yourself, and see what happens."

Read the whole thing here:
On Race and Love and Trying to Understand

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