I’m often asked about our nation’s systemic and structural racism. I’m reminded that Jesus said, of the saving gospel of grace, “you will know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).” There’s a principle there that speaks to not being damned or imprisoned by lies… lies about eternal life and arguably lies about anything else. Truth is liberating. One of the more confounding phenomena of our time is the New York Times’ “1619 Project.” There was a time when the New York Times functioned as a reliable newspaper. Those times are now in the past. The “1619 Project” is an attempt to propagate lies about our past which are not supported by the facts. I only write today because they’ve chosen to slander Christ as well, as well as His Church. Now of course the New York Times and the 1619 Project have come under scrutiny and they seem to be revising the document almost daily to cover their misrepresentations. You can learn more about that here.
Here’s why we can say our nation is neither systemically or structurally racist. Consider this shortlist of historical facts that should provide even the shallowest of the woke thinkers food for thought.
Yes, George Washington was a slave owner. But Washington freed his slaves at his death, providing pensions for those who could not provide for themselves and providing for the education and vocational training for some who lacked parents and freedom for them after the age of 25. Should we then tear down his statue and expunge all memory of him for being a man of his time? The wokest of the woke fail to live up to their own ideas as well.
Thomas Jefferson wanted slavery condemned in the declaration of independence but many feared losing the south in the war against the British. Jefferson referred to slavery as an “abominable crime.” And yet he owned slaves. Unforgiveable? Read the founding documents—Frederick Douglas and Martin Luther King (and others) relied on his ideals as the foundation of the Civil Rights Movement. Should we expunge all memory and honor of them from our past.
The reality is that slavery never took hold in some states because the people opposed it and “freemen” were common in northern states, some serving as pastors in predominately white churches. Some in the 1700’s married white women. imagine that—how would that be possible in such a repressive and evil country like ours? Must we condemn everyone as evil and oppressive?
An entire civil war was fought with a death toll of 750,000 men out of a total population of 31 million (2.4% of the total population or almost 5% of the male population). Remember Gettysburg (10,000 killed; 30,000 wounded). the abolition of slavery figured prominently in the war. Many believe the civil war was god’s judgement. “White men” fought for freedom of all people—including slaves. Where was their white fragility and privilege and blindness?
President Abraham Lincoln issued and executed the emancipation proclamation (imperfectly).
The Emancipation Proclamation was soon followed by the 13th amendment to the constitution in 1865. Effectively sounding the death knell for slavery in the United States.
The 13th amendment gave the newly freed slaves (and others) full rights of citizenship and the right to vote. Did that cure things and end all sin? No… souls are changed one soul at a time with the gospel, nothing less. But it was a step in the right direction. Why did a country of 31 million, with barely 3 million newly minted “African Americans” do such a thing? In a word: ideals. What should we make of the evil “white men” (women could not yet vote) who passed this legislation? What do we make of a country that did so for a small, powerless and largely voiceless minority who took such an unprecedented and bold step? Consider the amendments that followed!
In 1870 Hiram Revels, the first black us senator, was elected in Mississippi. He was a Republican. Since then, numerous congressmen and congresswomen and senators of all colors have since followed in his footsteps. How were such people elected in a nation with systemic and structural racism and overwhelming white majorities? Even today, African Americans make up less than 14% of the population and far less a percentage of the voting public. How is this possible in such a racist nation?
The Federal Government frequently stepped in attempting to ensure voting rights and rights of citizenship for people of color. Why? Who took these actions? Who supported them? Why did they do this? Short answer: the foundational ideals contained in the nation’s founding documents. Did less than 14% of the population compel 86% of the population, the majority of whom are said to be evil racists to do their bidding or were they imperfect people trying to live up to an ideal?
President Harry S. Truman desegregated the United States military by executive order in 1948, establishing the president's committee on equality of treatment and opportunity in the armed services. What moved the President to do this? Did he rely on pressure from a black majority voting populace? Wasn’t he supposed to be an evil racist? Why did he do this? Shouldn’t we tear down his statue? Should we revile his memory and achievements? All or some?
in 1954 segregation in schools was declared unconstitutional (Brown v. the Board of Education) by “white,” male Supreme Court Justices. How is that possible?
In 1957 Republican president Dwight Eisenhower sent federal troops to Little Rock, Arkansas to integrate public high schools and ensure the safety of Black students. Why? The founding ideals of this nation and the ruling of an all-white Supreme Court. In 1963 federal troops and the Alabama national guard were deployed to desegregate the university of Alabama.How could it happen in a country dominated by racism?
In 1964 congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 tightening and strengthening laws against discrimination against people according to race, age, and sex. Why would a predominately racist congress, senate, and president put such legislation into law? Who elected and re-elected them?
In 1967 the first Black supreme court justice, Thurgood Marshall was appointed to the us supreme court. Who appointed him—a Black President? Marshall was followed decades later by Clarence Thomas (1991). Who appointed Thomas? There has been a black supreme court justice sitting on the us supreme court for over 53 years.
Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan integrated the Space Program, demanding the inclusion of Blacks, Hispanics, Asian, and Women in the Space Shuttle Project.
In 1987 President Ronald Reagan appointed Colin Powell the first African American national security advisor. wasn’t Reagan a racist? Shortly thereafter, in 1989, George H. W. Bush appointed Colin Powell as the first Black chairman of the joint chiefs of staff over all us military operations. His on later appointed him Secretary of State. We are told these presidents were racists and Nazi types. How could that be?
Barack Obama was elected president twice, 2008 and 2012. Black people made up less than 14% of the U.S. population. Who were these voters, then, who elected (and reelected) President Obama? if America is structurally racist and racism is systemic, how was he re-elected and by whom?
Between 1964 and 2014 between $15 trillion and $22 trillion dollars were spent in the war on poverty. Who elected these politicians over time? and why did they commit so many financial resources? Weren’t most of them racists or white supremacists? Even today African Americans make up barely 14% of the population who are the other 86% who vote for such programs?
What does all this mean? Could it be that, as history suggests, this nation isn’t as historically racist and oppressive as some would suggest? Does all this excuse racism, discrimination, etc. that has stained our history?
What does all this mean? It means that we are a nation of sinners who sometimes fail to live up to our ideals. Just as Christians fail to perfectly honor Christ? Does that excuse sin? No. Sin is sin. We can do better as Christians just as our nation can do better.