Where is the proof of racism?

A fellow pastor named Daryl Crouch of Green Hill Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee wrote an article today in response to the murder of George Floyd.  The article is on the website Facts & Trends (a ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention).  It is called "What is the Church's Responsibility in Combating Racism?"  His opinion is popular, but it is deeply flawed and divisive.  Here is my response to a few of his statements.

“Once again, the evil of racism denied justice, dignity, and life to a fellow image bearer.”  

Where is the proof of racism in the case of George Floyd?  The crime may have been racially motivated, or it may not have been.  It is extremely divisive to just assume that it was racist.  By the way, one of the four cops involved was black.  

“Racism is a sin that finds its origin in the human heart. It’s ugly. It’s divisive. It’s destructive. And yes, it’s as systemic as sin itself.”  

Where is the proof of systemic racism?  As Dinesh D'souza put it, racism exists in America, but it is "anecdotal not systemic."  There will always be instances of racism in every country, but institutional racism in America is a thing of the distant past.  I challenge you to point out an institution or a law in America that is racist.  America is the most equal of any society with people of different races living together in the history of the world.  America has done more -- sacrificed more -- to combat racism than any other country in the history of the world.  

“While racism takes aim at all kinds of people groups, in America, to a disproportionate degree African Americans have carried the weight of racial discrimination.”  

That was in the past.  None of the blacks alive today experienced slavery.  Most of them (especially the protesters and rioters) never experienced government-enforced segregation.  Black people have full equality under the law (actually they have advantages like affirmative action).  Studies show that black people in America are more racist than white people, and that more interracial crimes are committed by blacks against whites than whites against blacks -- by a large margin.  While most blacks believe that racism is still a major problem in America today, most of them would say that it is not a major problem in their own life.  Racism is no longer holding black people from succeeding any more than other racial groups.

“We have a voice, we have influence that has for too long remained dormant while those who have less influence have been overlooked and oppressed.”  

The presupposition throughout the article is that blacks are oppressed, and whites are not.  This ignores the reality of personal experience.  Many blacks have never experienced racism, while many whites have.  Many blacks are highly privileged, while many whites are extremely underprivileged.  

Racism is simply not a major challenge in America today.  In daily life, most blacks and whites get along just fine and never experience racism.  Articles like this one by Pastor Crouch only serve to hurt race relations and cause division in the Church.  Beware.

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