This morning I was reading William Stringfellow. He writes about the racism that permeated the United States where he was working as a lawyer in Harlem. He concludes that all are victimized by racism, although dominant society are less aware. He writes in An Ethic for Christians and other aliens in a strange land:
"For white citizens to be blinded by this [racism] is a victimization of them as human beings - consigning them to a delusive state where conscience is dead - just as much as the more blatant and public dehumanization visited upon blacks." pg. 87
The gospel has something to say to this.
Luke 18:35-43
35 As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth* is passing by.’ 38 Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 39 Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 40 Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ 42 Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ 43 Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.
Jesus gives back the sight to a blind man who can already see better than the one's telling him to be quite. My prayer is that we would see and seeing we would work to set things right, to be true human beings who affirm the dignity of all. Delusion is not freedom, no matter how comfortable it seems. May we have eyes to see and ears to hear the gospel calling us back to be human beings; dependent upon the creator and all those around us.
