Not in my house
I was talking to a friend about how glad I am that a black man is one of our leading Presidential candidates. Not necessarily because I believe in Obama's platform but because it's forcing us as a nation to deal with our bigotry that is still so alive and well. My friend told me that he was working alongside of another man who asked him if he thought our country was ready for a "colored" President . . .
Meanwhile, I'm waiting for a little black boy to be born on Good Friday. A little black boy who may very well become my son.
Someone very close to my family offered to take my daughter Tabitha to raise--so that she wouldn't be damaged by having a black brother. Damaged by having a black brother . . .
Alive and well. Bigotry. It's still so alive and well.
Not in my house.
"There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)
Meanwhile, I'm waiting for a little black boy to be born on Good Friday. A little black boy who may very well become my son.
Someone very close to my family offered to take my daughter Tabitha to raise--so that she wouldn't be damaged by having a black brother. Damaged by having a black brother . . .
Alive and well. Bigotry. It's still so alive and well.
Not in my house.
"There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)
posted by Greg Nettle at 9:37 PM
11 Comments:
Here! Here!
And that goes for all the other ugly isms out there...documented, undocumented, old, and new.
Jesus of Nazareth entered a mess 2000 years ago. And it still is. But the kingdom is breaking in all around us. And it is beautiful. Greg and Julie: thanks for adding to the beauty.
rick
As a black woman with a biracial child, I find relief in hearing you say this. We are all mutts anyway in this melting pot we call America.
God Bless
It was late last night, when I checked to see if Greg had posted anything new. Casually reading along, I got to the part about Tabitha... I stopped, and re-read it over and over, maybe thinking my eyes were playing tricks.
I know there are still people who think this way. But, for someone to feel so strongly about it, that they would brave telling a pastor's family...is beyond shocking to me.
I was so upset last night... my heart hurt. It's hard not to cry right here at work as I write this.
Sounds like Rivertree might be a perfect place to re-enact Jane Elliot's experiment one fine Sunday afternoon.
http://www.janeelliott.com/learningmaterials.htm
Just to clarify . . . The "helpful" comment did not come from anyone at RiverTree. In fact, RiverTree is our biggest cheerleader. More than 130 families have adopted or are currently in the process of adopting. I LOVE seeing Jesus in action!!!
g
I am so sorry you had to face that. It is mind blowing that people still see things this way.
I am white, but some people who know me only by name think I am african american because my last name is the same as a lot of high profile african americans. I have been treated poorly in those circumstances and I just can not believe it happens.
When I read your blog today I immediately stopped and said a prayer for the person who offered to "raise Tabitha" that their shortsightedness will soon be a thing of the past and they will realize we are ALL Gods children no matter our race, or creed. God Bless you and your entire family!
How sad that folks can not see the Spirit Man/Woman like God does.
I think the best thing we can do for folks is to Love them in return and pray that God heals there hearts, minds, and souls.
Greg - you and your lady are one awesome couple bro! Rock on!
The comment about Tabitha -- wow! That saddens me. It's hard to believe that someone who is close to you would say a statement like that. They are defintely in my prayers.
Good luck to you this coming Good Friday. =)
We worship a God who humbles, forgives and blesses.
While living in Denver in the 80's, I became close friends with my Christian brother who was a starting running back with the Broncos. We co-led bible studies, double dated, and shared many a deep spiritual discussion. One afternoon after worship he asked me a question that exposed a racial prejudice that I never realized I owned.
"Kasey, do you think it wise for me to marry a white Christian woman?" I paused and replied, "Sure, but I think you should consider the harm that may arise for your children being mixed color." He didn't say anything and we slowly lost touch.
Fast forward 8 years and we met again at a church planting in which he became our Youth Pastor. He introduced me to his wife (white) of 6 years and their BEAUTIFUL children. I introduced him to my wife (Spanish/Indian)and our "mixed color" boys. I was brought to conviction when God exposed not only my prejudiced heart but also my hypocrisy. I pleaded for his forgiveness and we embraced in tears. Through the love of Christ and His Grace in my life, my brother forgave me of my sin and then became instrumental as my son's youth Pastor in leading them to the Lord and baptizing them into His Kingdom.
Truly, we are one in Christ Jesus.
I can totally relate to Kerri, as I feel the same way.
One of my favorite movies has a scene in the end of the movie in which, white, black, blind, etc., all take communion together. It's the way it should be, and the way it is at RT. Which is why I am proud to say I attend there, and proud of the example of our pastor. Thank you Greg and Julie for being leaders, for setting the example, for leading your flock. God Bless you both!
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