Facing racism:
Working together for peace and justice
By Warren J. Lesane
Our souls are disturbed. Our spirits are shaken. Yet, we do not lose faith! Presbyterians are being called to speak out against hatred, injustice and racism of all kinds, particularly the kinds which were demonstrated in Charlottesville. Can we use our collective presence for a forceful and visible voice for justice, equality and unity in the midst of hatred?
White supremacists and neo-Nazis marched around Charlottesville chanting racist epitaphs. We saw visible symbols and activities, which at one point in history, were conducted in the shadows of the night. We heard the voices of young white men yelling racist words. We saw those carrying torches, Confederate flags and displaying Nazi symbols. One of God’s children was killed resulting from a car ramming the crowd. Two State Troopers died in a helicopter crash responding to the disturbance.
These activities are an affront to this nation. Governor Terry McCauley responded forcefully to this matter and so did the Mayor of Charlottesville in their denouncement.
The actions are an affront to Presbyterians and all Christians. I believe that through the eloquent and poignant words of Teaching Elder Robina Marie Winbush, who wrote Day 4 in the 30 Days with the Belhar Confession, we can see our charge for the days ahead. She wrote:
“In so many places throughout the world, humanity finds ways to divide along race, class, caste, ethnicity and other humanly created boundaries. We use these boundaries to create social structures that are committed to maintaining systems of division and hostility.
“In both the United States and South Africa these structures were undergirded by theologies developed by ‘Christian’ theologians who argued that it was God’s intention that humanity be separated, particularly along racial lines and that white supremacy was divinely ordered. The Confession of Belhar denounces such theology as heresy and reminds us that God gave us the gift of unity, even though this unity is often distorted by human brokenness. Therefore, we are called to work for the full realization of this gift. However, unity is not a passive acceptance of unjust systems for the sake of a false peace. It is the hard work of dismantling of systems that divide and subjugate sisters and brothers and building societies marked by justice and love. We live between the promise of the reign of God in Jesus the Christ and the fulfillment of that reality on earth is it is in heaven.”
Some challenges for us as Presbyterians include, but are not limited to the following:
- Teaching/Ruling Elders and members take serious this gift of unity and work judiciously to denounce racism, white supremacy and the evil acts of all hate groups.
- Presbyteries assist its leadership and congregations to engage in the substantive work of Race and Reconciliation.
- All Presbyterians recommit themselves to ecumenical and interfaith work.
- We must join in advocating for legislative policies that guard against such hatred and provides protection for those the hatred is targeting.
- Presbyterians should work for peace and unity in the places that we live and have influence.
- We Presbyterians must pray without ceasing!
Warren J. Lesane, Jr. is the executive and stated clerk for the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic.