Reconciling Race One Step at a Time
January, 2021
By Linda Bowling
Chairperson, Dearborn First UMC Reconciling and Justice Team
Photo by LeeAnn Cline on Unsplash
It's the “how” that trips me up.
As we celebrate the legacy of Dr Martin Luther King, and observe Black History month in February, I’m clear on a few things. Racial inequity continues in our society. While there is evidence in public events, it is illustrated more clearly in my personal interactions. I only need to pay attention to comments around me to see and hear it: “Those people” “Them” “Well it’s not our problem”
I’ll bet you hear it too.
It is not enough to not be racist – in itself a challenge – but to become anti-racist. Having the courage to join efforts to change our culture, influence those around us. Taking these steps within our own thoughts, in our homes, among our friends, at our work place. Influencing others within our reach. The ongoing endeavor to create a better world for the next generations.
But how.
The Reconciling Justice Team will be wrestling with that challenge in 2021. We invite you to join us.
Step one: be brutally honest with yourself.
Become more aware of your inclination to evaluate a person based on their appearance.
Is it the color of their skin? Their clothing? Their accent? Their bank account?
What assumptions are we making and how are those assumptions influencing how we VALUE another human being?
There is so much to unpack. While we are taking just one step at a time, we are moving forward with a sense of purpose and urgency.
We invite you to join us.
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at.
People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”-1 Samuel 16:7b
Linda Bowling is Chairperson of Reconciling Justice Team at Dearborn First United Methodist Church. Contact her at justice@dearbornfirstumc.org.
