When we consider the racial, ethnic, socioeconomic conflicts of our day (and throughout time) a number of questions arise for us. How can these conflicts be conquered? Which side should we join? Are any of the sides even right?
Someone very wise once told me that the proper role of an intellectual, when in the midst of factions, is that of neutral mediator. Rather than arguing for this or that side, the intellectual should make an effort to educate people on all sides of a conflict, making all parties aware of what truly hangs in the balance. The intellectual should also strive to offer a new way of perceiving and approaching the issue at hand. While two conflicting groups may have an unwillingness to consider their opponent's perspective, both sides may willingly consider a third perspective, provided this third perspective is presented in a non-combative way. It is my intent to apply this method to the issue of racism currently gripping places such as Ferguson, MO.
We may broadly say that two factions exist in the Ferguson conflict: 1) those who argue that America's justice system is inherently racist in that it profiles against minorities; 2) those who argue that the justice system works perfectly fine.
Despite what many think, this conflict has nothing to do with the shooting of Michael Brown, nor the court case that followed wherein officer Wilson, Brown's shooter, was acquitted of murder charges. The events that transpired in Ferguson, tragic though they were, escalated as they did, much in part, as a result of the high level of media coverage. What would have otherwise gone unnoticed turned into a sideshow with a national audience. This is not to say, however, that the anger and hostility witnessed in Ferguson has no founded legitimacy. To the contrary, this uproar is the result of a more pressing issue.
Regardless of this issue's legitimacy, the claim that racism is the causal foundation of the riots and looting in Ferguson invariably serves as a distraction. How? It does so by proffering racism as the root of the problem, as the disease that under-girds our "broken" justice system. As a result, many have been distracted from recognizing that at the root of racism lies a more pronounced and fundamental ailment. And if we ignore the true disease, then we ultimately ignore the true cure. Moreover, if we focus on the wrong disease, we inevitably will apply the wrong cure.
At the moment, the media, and many other talking heads, have diagnosed the nation as suffering from a broken, racially discriminatory justice system. The cure they prescribe is sweeping reforms, and protests in the meantime to raise awareness and bend public opinion to the demands of those seeking reform.
Without denying the need for reform, I would suggest that the diagnosis presented above is mistaken, in that what has been called a disease is in reality only one symptom of a deeper and more destructive disease. At the moment, it's as if the media and other outspoken voices have diagnosed a headache and prescribed aspirin when the source of the headache is in fact a brain tumor. The aspirin will only suffice to alleviate pain for a short while, but it will fail to end the headaches from recurring. In the same way, reforms will only make things aright for a short while, but they will fail to bring true healing or prevent the recurrence of racial mistrust.
If we ignore the true disease, then we will ignore the true cure. But, if we recognize the true disease, we will recognize the true cure. And if we recognize the true cure, we can apply it. So what is the true disease? The true disease is sin. More specifically, it is slavery to sin, which prevents us from freely behaving as God intended. Sin prevents us from being reflections of God's image. Sin prevents us from being holy as God is holy. Sin prevents us from loving God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Sin prevents us from loving our neighbors as we should.
Sin not only results in racial profiling, it results in looting and violent riots. Sin creates division by ripping people apart based on race, money, accent, and political affiliation. Sin turns neighbors into illegal and legal residents, blacks and whites, Republicans and Democrats, Catholics and Baptists.
And what is the cure for sin? It is Christ crucified and resurrected. In Christ, humanity is freed from that which impedes humanity from acting as God intended. Through Christ, we can be free to reflect the image of God, to be holy as God is holy, to love God with our whole being, and to love our neighbors as we ought. Any other cure will not do.
The problem at hand is not a broken justice system. The problem is that people, no matter their color or station in life, fail to recognize that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Until people recognize the real problem, the effects of sin will continue to pervade the world. Another Ferguson will arise, more violent riots will follow, and all parties involved will only harden their hearts. No side is innocent. No matter who is the "victim," no matter who is the "transgressor," all are slaves to sin who fail to hear the truth.
And so let us, who know the truth, proclaim it!
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