A call to my fellow white Christians.
For the last few days I have heard many of my fellow white Christians refer to the terror attack in Pittsburgh as tragic, sad, and awful. Then they just move on, apparently thinking that was enough.
They have the said things about the murders at Kroger and the attempted bombings. Yes these attacks are indeed tragic, sad, and awful. However, they are so much more sinister than random acts of insane violence.
I am not proposing some vast conspiracy. I don’t think this was that organized. But add to them the vocabulary used by our elected officials. Their refusal to acknowledge any culpability or causation. Also the increase in military sent to our border and the children still languishing in federal holding.
These are signs we have seen before. More than once. Nearly every time people just let it go. Thinking that the silent majority would never allow it to escalate too far in their own back yards.
They were wrong. This is not something that just burns itself out. This is something that set everyone and everything around it ablaze. Thinking it won’t get that far is self delusion. The fact is people are already dead and that means it has already gone to far.
We must use our white Christian privilege for good for once. Here are a few ideas on how to do that.
VOTE
Speak out against any bigotry you see. At that time. Not when you get home.
If you see someone being harassed for wearing religious garb such as a hijab, yamaka, or burka, Walk right up to them and compliment them on their strength of faith and character.
Don’t acknowledge the offenders unless forced too. Just show the victim that we are not all agreed and perhaps remind the bully what Christ said about how we should behave towards our fellow humans.
If you see someone being shamed for their appearance, disability, or affectations give them a bright smile and compliment them. There is always something nice you can say.
The silent majority MUST speak up NOW. We cannot let this continue or escalate.