COVID-19 and Systemic Racism: Two Pandemics Impacting Our World
We are facing two pandemics: COVID-19 and systemic racism.
One pandemic, the former, is quite new. The other, the latter, is not new.
Both, however, are highly life-threatening and devastating.
Currently, we don’t have a vaccine or cure for COVID-19. On the other hand, the “cure” for systemic racism is quite complicated. How do we go about righting the wrong of over 400 years of pain, injustice, and inhumanity? Where do we begin?
What makes the sting of racism even worse is the “systemic” part and also because it has been part of society for a long time (centuries). In grade school math class, we learn about the power of compound interest. At the very heart of the power of compound interest is time.
Time.
A valuable asset.
Our most valuable asset.
For over more than 400 years, black humans have been treated as less than human and discriminated against. Why does the “black” part diminish the “human” part? Unfortunately, the explanation is found in a painful chapter in our nation’s history.
Yesterday, I watched a video of young Black professionals who traveled to Ghana and saw the very caves that their ancestors were held prior to their forceful move into enslavement in a foreign nation, never to return home. It was heart-breaking to reminisce on the realities of America’s painful history.
Today, I listened to a timely message by Pastor Mike Todd from Transformation Church. The message was titled Relationship Goals: Racial Reconciliation.
I can’t stop thinking about the current state of our world and the lives of the beautiful human beings who inhabit it.
It’s 2020 and despite many technological and economic advancements, our society has yet to advance significantly when it comes to issues of racial equity. In 2020.
An analogy that Pastor Todd gave was the chemical principle that oil and water normally don’t mix due to their distinct chemical properties. What is needed to bring them together is an emulsifier. Right now, in our society, we need an emulsifier to bring the human race together — regardless of ethnicity or race. Pastor Todd shared the following framework for starting to address the racial division that has been plaguing our nation for centuries: We need to take R.I.S.K:
- R — Relationships
Form genuine relationships with people who you may not have anything visually in common with. Find common ground through your shared humanity and be empathetic. We need to start listening to understand rather than simply listening to respond. Don’t let your preconceived notions and assumptions deter you from building a relationship with a fellow human being.
- I — Intentional
Have those uncomfortable conversations about race. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. More often than not, if the conversation is uncomfortable, it’s the one worth having. It’s the conversation that needs to be had.
- S — Start At Home & Speak Up
Racism is a learned behavior. No one is born into this world hating their fellow human being. Teach yourself and your loved ones to love others, not just the people you have visible (or even invisible) similarities with.
- K — Knowledge
We need to educate ourselves about our nation’s history and work together to make a much needed change for a better present and future. Read books, watch movies, share your experiences with one another. Knowledge is truly power.
As Pastor Todd rightfully said, “We are full of hope, but still hurting.” People’s lives and livelihoods are at stake.
What hurts the most is that, in our society, we have been programmed to see each other’s hue before we see, recognize, and celebrate each other’s humanity.
Collectively, we need reprogramming. We need a racial reconciliation.
This is a movement, not a moment. #BlackLivesMatter isn’t a social media trend. Together, we can take continued actions and hold each other accountable to build a country, society, and world where everyone truly has access to opportunities to work, live, and thrive.
Let’s celebrate our differences and grow together.
Right now, in this present moment, we are shaping what will one day become history.
So let’s create a much better history for future generations to read about in their textbooks.
Onward.
