Rev David Shosanya: a question of race

The subject of race remains a major issue in Christian circles. Rev David Shosanya (pictured above) asks why are Christians unable to have an honest, intelligent and constructive debate about this contentious issue

Why do conversations about race leave most Christians feeling ill-equipped, unwilling and, in some cases, unable to constructively wrestle with this subject matter? Is it possible that the situation is further complicated by a chronic lack of self-awareness and sensitivity to those communities that suffer the indignities of prejudice on a daily basis? A prejudice that is due to their skin colour being different from that of the majority of the population? Or is it the case that individuals are blinded to their personal and/or corporate sense of responsibility when it comes to discriminatory practices? Much to think about!

This predisposition towards denying the centrality, validity and impact of racial stereotyping, and its accompanying behaviours, was graphically illustrated some years ago when Peter Herbert, an eminent Lawyer (of African-Caribbean heritage), facilitated a number of discussions about race and justice for a BBC2 series entitled Hypotheticals.

In the last episode of the series, Peter Herbert asked a panel of senior judges whether or not the manner in which they administered the law was skewered as a result of racial stereotyping. Each judge was quick to point out that, while such stereotyping occurred in other courts, they would not countenance such behaviour in their courtroom. After addressing each judge in person, Peter Herbert concluded that all the judges were guilty of allowing racial stereotyping to affect the manner in which the law was administered, by virtue of the fact they had all alleged that it was the court next to theirs, not their own, in which race played a significant role in how the law was administered. The series ended on that note!

I can sympathise (not justify) with individuals outside of the Church who are not inclined to look to the Scriptures for guidance on how to manage the dynamics of racial politics. They are, whether they like it or not, subject to unconscious and biased perspectives, which have been internalised as a result of being part of a society that shamefully rationalises the degree of importance or relevance placed on an individual by virtue of the colour of their skin.

Allowing race to be the criteria as to how much value is placed on human beings is clearly not acceptable. In fact, it is worthy of a strong sense of righteous indignation or rage. Yes, rage is an appropriate response in such circumstances. It expresses an unequivocal commitment to actively fight against any forms of ideology or practice that seeks to minimise or undermine the sense of personhood that is innate in every human being - irrespective of their colour.

Rage, therefore, has two functions: on the one hand, it represents a wall of resistance against acts of ideological, institutional, social and other forms of violence. On the other hand, it seeks to remind the individual or group of individuals, who discriminate on the grounds of race, that their actions contradict the very humanity they claim for themselves yet deny in others.

What I find is that as Christians we are too ready to quickly and conveniently reach for what is perhaps the least controversial biblical passage on the matter of race - Galatians 3:28 - which states, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

This text has meant that for many Black Christians, the most affirming comment they have received – and many have mistakenly and naively accepted - from White Christian sisters and brothers is that their friendship is so important and valued that they do not even notice the colour of the skin - the colour blind thing! This is a spurious and condescending 'compliment' when one considers that it is not used by the same people when they speak of their friendships with women - it would sound stupid! Do you get my point?

The regularity and ease with which the majority of Christians reach for this text could lead one to conclude that the Galatians text represented the full counsel of Scripture. This text is often presented as if it were a living reality in the life of contemporary Christian communities, rather than an indication of a potential way of living and being under the lordship of Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. In short, it represents the possibility for the Church and for Christians to be a radically different type of community, which is hallmarked by the equal value it places on the lives of each of its members, irrespective of their race.

Placing this emphasis on Galatians 3:28 affirms that race can be and is in fact a significant issue that divides communities, but should not be allowed to do so amongst Christians. The sad fact is that race continues to influence all aspects of the life of the Church, including its style (liturgy); models of fellowship (community); worship (doxology); biblical education (theology), and outreach (missiology).

One might read this article and ask why so little has been said about reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:11- 21), as reconciling humanity and nature back to God are at the heart of the Christian Gospel (Ephesians 1 & Colossians 1).

This appears to be a good question that highlights a glaring omission at the heart of this article. I would beg to differ, however. Reconciliation requires that each party is clear about what the offending or offensive behaviour might be, and what would be required to bring about transformation. This requires an open exchange of ideas and perspectives, a sharing of experiences. It is the only starting point that makes reconciliation possible. So, now we know where to start and what to do, let’s get on with it!

Rev David Shosanya is a member of the London Baptist Association

Second image is the new issue of Keep the Faith.