Often, when one hears a good sermon, they go away pondering many things in their heart. Perhaps the sermon has left them with challenging or convicting thoughts and/or a desire to do something – to put faith into action. Similarly, our newly appointed Attorney General, Eric Holder, has done nothing less than offered us as a nation and a community a prophetic call to change the status quo. His recent speech has provoked a great deal of much needed discussion in our nation. Tonight, a segment on CNN revealed the comments of many viewers from across the nation who felt that his words were harsh, divisive, and counterintuitive. It is unfortunate, I think, that his words could not be received as a convicting word. Perhaps, however, in the coming days, weeks, months, etc., the nation can find itself in a continuing dialogue which may result in some change.
Holder spoke the truth; though there are many facets of our society and culture that appear to embrace racial and cultural diversity and harmony, there are many that are not a far cry from the days of slavery and segregation. Our society is filled with instances of modern-day slavery, as people from various immigrant communities are forced to do work they might not otherwise, had they the opportunities that others have had, and as minority groups still continue to struggle to have the same access and opportunity to quality education, health care, etc. Also, one cannot help but recognize the way our cities and towns are structured – always segregated. Take for example Austin, Texas. It is an extremely diverse city which is filled with beautiful people from various countries and different faith traditions. Nevertheless, it is very segregated. East Austin is overwhelmingly populated by Latino and African American communities, while the rest of the city almost seems worlds away, divided by the 1-35 that few, from either side, rarely cross. I am certain that this cultural landscape is not unique to Austin, Texas. It is, in part, what Holder is referencing. Perhaps we go on, patting ourselves on the back, reassured that we are doing so much better, turning a blind eye to the ways in which are cities, our schools, our circles of friends, and so on, are not so diverse.
Why is it so hard for us to take in Holder’s words? Why is it so hard for us to admit that we do in fact live in a time and place where modern-day slavery and modern-day segregation exist? Is it because we have an aversion to admitting our own complicity? Is it because we are an ahistorical people who are unaware of the sad and shameful history which has laid the foundation for our current circumstances? I think it is, at best, a little of all of these.
Therefore, it is – without a doubt - the call and the responsibility of the Church to speak prophetically about our racial prejudices and divisions, and to humble ourselves and heed prophetic words when we hear them.
