Ross T Lucas

Terms like “white privilege,” “Black Lives Matter,” “racist,” “white supremacist” and others are casually tossed around, usually with a political implication.  It is important to remember that each of these terms has a spiritual component.  It is unfortunate that attitudes, including the fear of the loss of personal freedoms and positions in society make it hard to talk about spiritual issues aside from the political issues.

These terms have come to have a connotative meaning so that even the mention of them evokes an emotional response.  It is those emotional responses then keep us from exploring the terms and the meaning behind the terms.  The spiritual aspects of these things are important if we expect to be followers of Jesus.

Many people hear the term “white privilege” as an attack on white people.  That’s a shame because “white privilege” actually is descriptive of something that, in and of itself, is neither good nor bad.  White privilege means that, as a race, white people have certain advantages over those who aren’t white.  The discussion around the term should be focused on how to give everyone a level playing field.  In our ideals, no one in this country should have an unfair advantage over someone else. 

It is not uncommon to think of privilege in economic terms.  A privilege means someone has an economic advantage over someone else.  However, there are other ways that white privilege may come into play.  For example, I, simply by being white, don’t worry if I see a police car behind me.  That leaves me free to do other things than occupy my mind with worry.  

Some will argue that no one needs to worry if they aren’t doing something wrong.  That’s easily refuted by the statistics on how often people are stopped by the police based on their race.  I have a privilege because I don’t have to worry.

If I look at a magazine, I will find most of the people pictured in the magazine look somewhat like me.  Because of that, my children and grandchildren may unconsciously think their race is the only race that accomplishes anything.  They get the message that their race is going to always come out on top.  Children of other races may have the same reaction—because they don’t look like those pictured, they may get discouraged about life before they get a real start.

I believe there is no need to feel guilty about being white.  The circumstances are what they are.  However, if I can do something to level the playing field and don’t do that, then I am responsible for what happens.  I have to be aware of what privileges I have and how those are affecting others.  That is a spiritual issue.

Paul talks about how Jesus came to break down the wall of partition between groups of people, specifically the Jews and the Gentiles (Ephesians 2:11-22). He emphasizes how we are now all one in Christ.  We have a responsibility to continue breaking down the barriers that separate people, be they separated on racial lines, gender lines, or in some other way.  This isn’t a political duty; it is a spiritual duty.

Being spiritual is about connecting with God in a way that honors God and all that God does.  That includes recognizing that we have some privileges that others don’t have.  With that recognition comes an obligation to act.