Why Many White Evangelicals Struggle with Black Lives Matter

Protests ignited by the brutal murder of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement officials sweep across not only America, but many other countries around the planet. However even as the tragic event has served to spark the conscious of a growing number of white people to the reality of systemic racism in the country, the counter-weight of nay-sayers remind us there is still much that needs to change.

When asked this week about disparities in economic opportunities between white and black Americans, top White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow stated he didn’t believe systemic racism affected the U.S.

Despite Kudlow’s claim however, systemic racism (Political and social practices discriminating against a particular group; in this case African-Americans), is very much a reality in America. Even as I’m encouraged by the number of “white” Christians speaking out and joining in the calls for reform, I’m also dismayed by the number of memes, posts, and threads on social media by Christians arguing (or even mocking) the notion of racism in America.

“I never owned any slaves”

“I’m not a racist”

“George Floyd was no saint”

“I have nothing to apologise for”

“What about racism against whites? Conveniently ignored!

Ok, full confession, twenty years ago or so I would have been apt to hold to the reasoning above. The White Evangelical Christian world I grew up in wouldn’t so much deny systemic racism as to not even really understand it.

For a younger me the idea of systemic racism would have been a foreign concept because in White Evangelical Christian world everyone is responsible for their own actions.

The notion of individual responsibility is firmly rooted in Evangelical theology and I believe a reason why so many white Evangelical Christians struggle with the idea of systemic racism.

See if YOU accept Jesus as YOUR personal Lord and Saviour and believe he died for YOU, YOUR sins will be wiped away and YOU will be redeemed.
In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s all about YOU. (You can read why I think making Jesus your personal Lord and Saviour is a bad idea here)

Evangelical theology is primarily focused on individual sin and redemption but largely silent on the concept of systemic sin in the world.  That Jesus died for billions of individuals who need to be saved is understood but that same Jesus who also died to “disarm principalities and powers” (Colossians 2:15) and that “the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17) is often lost in translation.

The reality is that we all contribute to systems of discrimination and oppression that  it’s not easy to remove ourselves from.  That cheap pair of socks you bought at Walmart or the low, low deal on that new TV you just ordered was probably made or assembled by some impoverished employee working twelve hours a day in a sweat shop somewhere in a country you never have to think about.

We may be able to delude ourselves that we are not responsible. “Hey, I’m not the one treating that poor employee wrongly” but everyday we play a part in reenforcing systemic structures that routinely exploit the most vulnerable among us.

Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection was not just for the sins of you, me, or George Floyd; it was to empower us to see systems of oppression and discrimination at odds with the Kingdom of God destroyed. 

To see the Earth restored…

I have to admit as a white man I have benefitted from systemic racism (as well as gender discrimination) not just in America, but across the world.

It is not in my interest to fight against the present socio-economic system as it is heavily tilted in my favour…

…but I know Jesus Christ takes the side of the oppressed. As Gamaliel said to his fellows in Acts 5: 38-40

 “if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail;  but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!”

I know I don’t want to be fighting against God only to find I was on the wrong side of history when this dust settles.

It’s time for White Christians to decide what side you want to be on.

You can start by acknowledging Black Lives Matter!

Peace,

Steve