Barack Obama - Racism
How has the presidency of Barack Obama impacted
racism?
Ever since the civil rights movement forced America to confront its racism
half a century ago, racism has been receding from certain sectors of our society,
including entertainment, sports
and the workplace. The election of
Barack Obama to the
presidency of the United States is a historic blow to racism
far beyond politics.
But it would be erroneous to equate the Barack Obama presidency with the end of racism in America.
In fact, should the Obama presidency end in failure, racism could
resurface with a vengeance from its hideout.
After all, the cities that confronted the civil rights marchers with
police dogs and fire hoses never truly integrated; the white residents
simply emigrated to the suburbs.
Even in regions of
America deemed less racist, some who
happily work next to African Americans and
admire them on television still shy away from engaging them socially and personally, and even resent those who move
into the neighborhood.
And racism persists even among
Christians. The existence of
churches of racial minorities whose first language isn't English is understandable,
but that of English-speaking churches divided along racial lines
points to division that betrays
Christ's desired unity
within His flock:
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will
believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are
in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe
that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they
may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made
perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have
loved them as You have loved Me." (
John 17:20-23)