I grew up as a child going to an inner city school in Charlotte, NC. I lived in the white part of town, but they would bus me almost 40 minutes to a predominantly black school. Growing up I just assumed that African Americans made up at least half the population. I never understood the lamentations of my family that I was randomly selected to attend this school. I didnt understand why they feared for my education and my safety. Playing in the school yard I never noticed the drug deals going across the street just over the chain link fence.
There I was the minority. I was the one excluded. I was the one otherized. I was never invited to play basketball. I was teased for being different. I got in a lot of fights. I began to wish I was black so I could belong. So I could have friends.
I like to think those childhood experiences gave me a unique take on race relations and racism. I know I will never know what it is like to be black in America, but I have an empathy seemingly void from many white people.
I dont understand this kind of hate right now. Hate is hate, violence is violence. It just is not the answer. Loving our neighbors and helping those in need is what will save our souls. If we love each other then Nazis are powerless anyway.
The Christian thing to do is come from a place of loving your neighbor, and not judging others. We are all wicked to some degree and we all need to come to terms with it.
