Straight Talk on Racism
By Dr. Helen Stafford Fleming
Racism, whether institutionalized or legislated, is being practiced in some form of discrimination that segregates us today. Our nation is still the product of hatred, bigotry and prejudices. The scenes of flags burning, people marching in the street, a hail Hitler to the President elect, the rioting and the destroying of other’s property is mind boggling.
How do we overcome these negative forces of hatred and racist dialogue, such as, blaming and disrespecting each other that has been embedded in the mind and behavior of our people for centuries? It also appears to be another level of hidden racism being exposed even today. Let’s look at racism from a different prospective. The purpose for this article is not just to articulate about racial discord, but to identify the source of racism and be healed.
After the origin of man and the fall of man that introduced sin into our lives, the enemy who initiated the fall by deceiving Adam and Eve is very much alive today. In 1712, a choice was made to be disobedient to God’s will, this action of rebellion, put in place Satan’s master plan to divide and conquer God’s people. When Lucifer and one third of God’s angels were casted out of heaven because they also wanted God’s power, they forgot that God has the final authority over the universe. God is still the maker of heaven and earth.
Can’t you feel God’s power now shifting the atmosphere? The earth is pressing against its walls trying to get in place for the coming of Christ. God is repositioning the church as we know it and moving the church outside of its traditional box. The news media are reopening our eyes to racialization and introducing gentrification that is transitioning our Black churches and communities with diversities of races, cultures and ethnicities, such as, an overflow of Caucasians, Asians, Muslims, Hispanics, American Indians, Africans and other ethnicities.
African American churches, like all churches are called to minister life to the lost in their community and to make disciples for Christ for the transformation of the world.
We must remember that we are all overcomers, because we are made in the image of God, male and female alike. (Gen. 1:26-28) We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us as we come together on one accord. There is nothing we can’t conquer or accomplish because God lives... WE ARE ONE PEOPLE.
Jesus is coming back soon and He is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle. Therefore, we must kick racism out and walk in forgiveness with love. Stand up church and be accountable in order to heal a nation that is crying out to survive. Do not be a vessel of unconscious bias or racial ignorance, seek the truth.
We must stop putting bandages on racism and face the truth by recognizing the trickery of Satan’s plan and realize that God has given us authority over the enemy. White Supremacy or Black Nationalist represent hatred and division that has deceived this country for decades, but the Word of God says, “Resist the devil and he will flee. “Our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness. We must realize that all power is in our hand, because, God gave us power and dominion over this earth.
We are charged to love one another and to forgive one another, and then we become more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. A house divided against itself cannot stand and that is the present state of America. Remember, if we have not love, we have not God.
Let’s unveil the wounds of racism and its injustices so that the pain that has bound us for centuries can be healed. We must come to understand that slavery was never about God’s people hating each other, slavery was about controlling God’s people due to their crave for greed, self-absorbance and power. However, it has always been the choice of the people to be vessels for Satan game in every race.
In this present era, vital conservations concerning racism must take place in order to eradicate hatred in our nation that is going through identity crises. If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, then we can win this battle over racism as the Body of Christ.
The negative seeds of racism that were sown over 300 thousand years ago, also inflated a spirit of privilege and entitlement in man, however, the Body of Christ is already privilege and entitled, because we are all God’s children. Let’s continue to review the past and take authority over the future on God’s terms and no longer Lucifer’s terms.
Jesus said, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Let’s review, repent, forgive and love one another the Agape way, unconditionally. Let us grow up to be authentic and transparent where the world can see that we are people of diversity, all shades, cultures and ethnicities working together to build God’s kingdom. We are one. We are called to serve each other as a Disciple of Christ. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide God’s people into all truth, if we believe. Let us embrace all races and let our light shine together and be the salt of the earth so that Christ can return for His people with a servant heart. Let thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven and allow God’s love permeate the heart of America so that freedom can really ring. Amen
We are “The Repairer of the Breach” (Isa 58:12)
Dr. Helen Stafford Fleming, Speaker/Presenter, can be reached by email at , or by phone, (301) 803-0393.