Black History Month - The Sin of Racism
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The Sin of Racism
February 1st marks the beginning of African American or Black History Month. This month ushers in the series of events and activities on the many important accomplishments and achievements of Americans of the African Diaspora.
It is necessary to continually tell the stories of Black Americans. This history has been intentionally absent from American narratives. Bias, racism and cultural elitism have intentionally deleted the narratives of Black and other minority groups from the American experiment. Consequently, Black History Week was innaugurated and later expanded into Black History Month.
We should always be affected by sin and evil. As children of God we continue to be alarmed by blatant racial discrimination, bigotry and violence. Among countless stories is that of Robin Cornish of Southlake, Texas, a small suburban city, 30 miles north of Dallas. The Ealey’s have stopped or driven through this town several times traveling to Louisiana and Houston.
Like many parents, Frank Cornish (deceased) of the Dallas Cowboys and his wife sought a home in a suburban community searching for better educational opportunities for her children, greated employment opportunities and a better life. She migrated to Southlake where the median cost of a house in (YEAR)was $650,000 and the average SAT score most often guaranteed acceptance into an elite college or university. Underlying Southlake was the sin of racism. Several children made an eight-minute video chanting repeatedly, “nigger,” and circulated it around the school.
A 6th grade student joked with Ms. Cornish’s son, “How do you get a black man out of a tree?” “Cut the rope!”
When this incident and others suffered by Black students were presented to the superintendent, school board, and parents, no corrective measures followed. Many fully informed parents, refused or failed to recognize that racism lay at the core of their attitudes. When the school board attempted to design a diversity plan, parents protested. Amidst national publicity, a diversity plan was developed.
It was observed that “everyone in Southlake smiles at you”. Racism remains alive and flourishes where “good” and “nice” people live and worship.
There are Southlake communities throughout American, including in our archdiocese. It is necessary that this Black History Month, we focus on racism as a moral evil. Racism is a sin because our faith identifies it as sin. It is a sin that individuals, institutions and the Church have committed.
In 1979, the U.S. Catholic Bishops published a Pastoral Letter on Racism, Brothers and Sisters to Us (Revised). This letter propheticly proclaimed: “Racism is a sin: a sin that divides the human family, blots out the image of God among specific members of that family, and violates the fundamental human dignity of those called to be children of the same Father. Racism is the sin that says some human beings are inherently superior and others essentially inferior because of race. It is the sin that makes racial characteristics the determining factor for the exercise of human rights. It mocks the words of Jesus: ‘Treat others the way you would have them treat you.’ (4) Indeed, racism is more than a disregard for the words of Jesus; it is a denial of the truth of the dignity of each human being revealed by the mystery of the Incarnation.”
The U.S. Bishops, reaffirmed and re-enforced its position on racism in their 2018 letter, Open Wide Our Hearts, the Enduring Call to Love. This letter identifies and extensively elaborates upon the actions and behaviors constitutive of the evil of racism. It is immoral for individuals, institutions and systems to deny that acts and attitudes that are racist are sinful. Racism is not a social or psychological phenomenal condition, it is an offence to Christian morality. Further, the letter concludes that “too often racism comes in the form of the sin of omission, when individuals, communities, and even churches remain silent and fail to act against racial injustice when it is encountered.”
This letter expands specific concerns and situations of racism, bigotry and xenophobia and include not only African Americans, but Native Americans, Asians and Hispanics. It traces the role of society and the church in its willingness to support racism and bigotry from the founding of America, and the infrequency of condemning racist behavior and activity.
After condemning the indifference and inaction of the church, the Bishops’ letter charges and challenges all Catholics and society to erase the sin of racism providing measures to do so.
“To press forward without fear means ‘to walk humbly with God’ in rebuilding our relationships, healing our communities, and working to shape our policies and institutions toward the good of all, as missionary disciples. Evangelization, which is the work of the Church, “means not only preaching but witnessing; not only conversion but renewal; not only entry into the community but the building up of the community.” Racism is a moral problem that requires a moral remedy—a transformation of the human heart—that impels us to act.”
“First, we must acknowledge our own sinfulness, even as we have prejudices towards others, and harbor feelings of racism.
Second, justice and love must be, as Christians, our guiding principles and motives”. Working for justice and educating ourselves about other races and cultures are also indicated. While many readily claim ‘we don’t have a prejudice bone in our bodies,’ or ‘I am not a racist,’ or ‘I don’t see color,’ or ‘some of my best friends are…’, we need to realize is that we live in a racialized system and society, where we are influenced by and respond to elements of racism and discrimination.
This is our moment to work towards proclaiming the sin of racism and working towards reconciliation. Brothers and Sisters to Us and Open Wide Our Hearts are letters from our Catholic Bishops that define racism and teach that it is a sin. On Thursday, February4th, we invite you to an online, virtual discussion of racism and the mission that we have to value every human life as a gift of God to us all. It is our hope throughout Black History Month to explore the history, experiences and knowledge of a culture that enriches each of us, our parish, Church, country and world.