The full acceptance of certain races primarily speaking of the African American race has been a very painful plight. We live in a society where oftentimes racial issues are not confronted until it knocks on our doors or something tragic happens. Well, this is a issue that is knocking on everyone's door. Who will answer or who will pretend that no one is at home?

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." (Letters from a Birmingham Jail)

"Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly." (Letters from a Birmingham Jail)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed that a non-violent direct action approach was the best way to confront racial discrimination. Dr. King's urgency to act was not always accepted. He was often referred as an "outside agitator." (Letters from a Birmingham Jail). I agree that change does not come without effort. One can no longer sit back and be passive about racial injustice waiting for change when we are daily confronted with it.  Reading from our textbook about how the youth were involved in challenging racism through non-violent direct protest. (From Slavery to Freedom, p. 567) was enlightning. In 1936, Juanita Jackson, a college graduate was appointed to help shape and direct its youth program. She often reminded them, " it is not enough to understand. We must act and act now!" (From Slavery to Freedom, p. 567) I believe that we need to rally around our youth and model to them a better way to express themselves when their anger is fueled by racial injustice.  Hate, anger, and revenge will not solve racism. If someone can demonstrate following in the footsteps as Dr. King I believe there would be a better outcome. Dr. King often used his platform as a preacher to help mediate change. That's why I feel the church has a great responsibility  to the community. 

I was deeply moved by the chapter Why We Can't Wait for the Multi-ethnic Churches and Waiting for and Hastening the Day of Multi-ethnic Beauty. I agree the church should not be passive when it comes to racial issues. (Loritts, 2014) I believe multi-ethnic church demonstrates the love God intended for us to have toward on another.  The church is an instrument of healing. (Loritts, 2014) I realize racial conflicts still can exist but reminding people of God's love and his plans can help them when faced with racial oppositions. In order to move forward there must be an internal transformation of the heart. There must be some reconciliation amongst the races. The mind of people have to be reset addressing grievances, misconceptions and reconstruct the negative perception that has been motivated by the history of slavery.  Recognition and acknowledgment are the first steps to finding a true solution. When racism and its damage is truly acknowledged then there is a choice: Will I continue or will I change to help bridge the gap. What a great day it will be when people will recognize one another treating them fair (equal) based on their characteristics and not because of the color of their skin or ethnicity. In Genesis 1:27 it says, "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27, NIV)

References:

Loritts, B. (2014). Letters to a Birmingham Jail. [Liberty University Online Bookshelf].         Retrieved from https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780802491145/

Franklin, John Hope & Higginbotham, Evelyn Brooks. From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans. Tenth Edition

Genesis 1:27 "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  Holy Bible 2017. English Standard Version