How would you score on a spiritual sight exam" 20/20? 20/80? Colorblind? Why? (Serendipity Bible Fourth Edition, page 1444).
To address racism in America it is necessary to begin in an area we still know so little about–the yet to be discovered workings of the brain. I begin with my own experiences which have found me on the long path to better race relations. Nevertheless, it is still possible for the “n-word” to automatically pop up in my mind now and then. This is very much a reflexive thing and is directly counter to my will in the matter. I don’t doubt for a moment that there are those of another race who look at me sometimes and the “cracker” word comes to mind despite their best will in the matter. So we are really talking about the reflexive aspects of the human brain over which we have little or no control. With this in mind, it is very easy to put either of us on a guilt trip, for at our very core is perfidy against our own best intentions and even spiritual commitments. There are those who would call this discordance the workings of the devil, but I prefer to see as yet dimly understood workings of the human mind that all of us share... not only as to race, but to many other matters as well. All we know is that in the deep recesses of the brain are lodged very intractable and despicable forms of data that run counter to our best intentions, interests, and desires. It is in these times that forgiveness – even of ourselves – becomes important to the extent that our hearts, minds, and actions are set on the future and are moving on into parkland concerts of love, goodwill, and brotherhood–all designed to restructure and wash out for good vestigial traces of prejudice.
