Youth Resources on Racism #3

VIDEO:

White privilege: does it exist?

0:00-4:12 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyFLMJ0qPn8 (This is a clip from Canadian television shortly after the killing of Eric Garner in NYC

ASK:

1. Who do you identify with in the video? Why?

2.Which statements or questions made you think? Why?

[When we talk about the systems that reinforce racism, we cannot forget that we each have our own experiences. It is messy when what you experience may not be the same as what someone else experiences. We often see things our way, until we look more closely at a situation and identify that there might be other ways to look at things based on real experiences.]

Scripture and Message

READ:

Galatians 3:27-28

²⁷ All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Romans 12:5

⁵ In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other.

ASK:

1. What do you think the author is trying to reveal about Christ in these verses? What do they say to you?

2. We just talked about different perspectives. Do these passages diminish other points of view? Explain.

[There is a lot of talk in the Bible about unity in Christ. The reality is that unity is hard. We all come from our own background and experiences and yet we are supposed to love and support one another. We need respect one another and attempt to understand one another, so that we can work together for God’s greater purposes. It does not mean we have to agree, but it does force us to give up our self-focus and see people not like “us” as “them”. These scriptures are telling us that we can never say ‘I don’t care about what happens to “them” or ‘“They” are the ones that should deal with this, not me.’ Can you hear the huge divide in those statements?

This is a call to holistic thinking. Don’t throw away your individuality or the uniqueness of your character and experiences. No, instead, bring them to the table. Then open yourself up to listening to someone not like yourself. As relationship forms, there can be space to see how your experiences complement those of another.]

ASK:

1. How difficult is it to listen to someone express that they totally disagree with you? How do you respond?

2. How important is unity when your group (team, band, choir, class) is trying to accomplish something important? Is unity easy to accomplish?

READ:

John 13:35

This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”

Micah 6:8

He has told you, human one, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.

ASK:

1. What do you think the author is trying to reveal about God in these verses? What do they say to you? How can we show love to people who are different than us?

2. How can we promote Justice that is caused by Racism?

3. What responsibility do you think people of faith have to actively work to correct the idea that some people are worth less than other people because of skin color?

Some Thoughts

Our culture is largely individualistic which means we are often focused on self. Systemic racism is a conversation of the collective – an entire system. Because of this, many find difficulty figuring out where they fit within the conversation of systemic racism, especially since most of us see ourselves individually. The end game is unity and healing hangs on our ability to move from “them” to “us”. There are brothers and sisters and siblings among “us” who have been pushed to the side, treated poorly and forgotten. “We” are broken.

Since we are in a space where there is systemic racism, then we have a role in restoring the body. Moving from a mentality of “them” (individualistic) to “we” (holistic) is a significant first step in the direction of healing.

PRAY:

[Jesus, open our eyes to holistic living – the hope for all people that make up the body of Christ. Move not just our mouths but our hearts and our minds from a place of “them” to an “us”. Where we see pain in the body, let us not ignore the opportunity. Bring patience. Bring understanding. Bring wisdom. Bring action. In Christ’s Name. Amen]