Racial prejudice is a problem in the world. In the United States, our history has been marked with intense racial struggle, from slavery to Jim Crow, Civil Rights and now racial profiling has reared its ugly head in today's society. There are, however, circles within our Adventist midst that wish to dismiss these issues, calling it dismissive pejoratives such as "social justice" or saying it has no bearing on our message as Seventh-day Adventists. Some even dare to suggest there is no spiritual benefit to upholding the rights of all.
But is this true? Or is the truth more complicated than some make it out to be? Of course, in this hyper-political atmosphere of today's world, there is a tendency and temptation to create partisan divides that tend to foster unnecessary divisions that are not conducive to the spread of the Gospel. We are warned against making issues out of partisan political divisions that cause the message of the Third Angel to flounder.
Ellen White wrote,
"God’s children are to separate themselves from politics, from any alliance with unbelievers. Do not take part in political strife. Separate from the world, and refrain from bringing into the church or school ideas that will lead to contention and disorder. Dissension is the moral poison taken into the system by human beings who are selfish." (1)
Indeed, this is a problem in our Churches today, with political questions dominating our congregations' conversations. However, there are some conversations that need to be had, that are not a matter of politics, but of simple humanity and Biblical justice. Yes, some of this issues can take on a political shade, but the nature of these issues are not political at all, but of justice and fairness, and of civil peace. There are many who wish to sweep these issues "under the rug" ostensibly to keep the focus on the message of the Church, but such issues are to a degree that can no longer be ignored, or dismissed.
I am talking about racial prejudice. Automatically many are going to recoil in horror that a Present Truth outlet would cover this very incendiary subject in the eyes of many, especially here in North America. The topic of race issues has been at the forefront of political news for as long as many can remember. Recently, it has been at the forefront again, with the murder of George Floyd, a black man killed in broad daylight curing his arrest and in full view of many passing citizens. It has garnered national outrage, rightfully so, and has quickly become an issue of race and police brutality. The arresting officers where not all white, but the officer who had his knee on Floyd's neck, Derek Chauvin, was white. The publicly recorded and shared videos showed a subdued Floyd helpless and pleading with (ex) Officer Chauvin who seemed unrelenting and without compassion kept his knee on his neck for an almost full eight minutes.
Minneapolis moved swiftly to terminate the officers involved, but the damage had already been done. Chauvin was later arrested for murder, but the incident sparked protests nationwide, creating chaos and mayhem. It brought back into the spotlight the conversation of race relations and the question of racial profiling. There are questions about whether Floyd would have been treated in that manner had he been a member of another race. The same question was brought up in another recent case that dominated the headlines where Ahmaud Arbery, a young black man killed by white men in Georgia.
Many are uncomfortable talking about racial profiling. Some deny it exists, some say it's political, and some say discussing it detracts from our Message as Seventh-day Adventists. But we will not shy away from the topic, simply because some think it's "political" or "distracting". It is a Biblical issue, one that binds upon us as Christians, known by many as the "Golden Rule".
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." - Matthew 7:12, KJV
The topic of racial equality is not a question of politics, it is a question of simple Biblical fairness and justice. Do not believe the so-called "Biblical Christians" who try to argue otherwise. Most of these have been complacent in their privilege, and have become uncomfortable with anything that unsettles the status quo for the racial hierarchy that has been ingrained in the soul of the nation and cherished in the institutions of slavery and segregation during a large portion of our history.
So no, this is not a question of politics. At least it should not be. It is a simple issue of justice in light of a Christian's duty to treat his fellow man as he would like to be treated. No matter the skin-color, economic status or professed religion.
It is often pointed out that more whites are killed by police overall. This is true, and it fits the overall demographic. But what else is true is that there is
"evidence of a significant bias in the killing of unarmed black Americans relative to unarmed white Americans, in that the probability of being black, unarmed, and shot by police is about 3.49 times the probability of being white, unarmed, and shot by police on average." (2)
Also,
"African Americans are more than twice as likely as white drivers to be searched during vehicle stops even after controlling for non-race based variables such as the reason the vehicle stop was initiated, but are found in possession of contraband 26% less often than white drivers, suggesting officers are impermissibly considering race as a factor when determining whether to search..." (3)
Even more telling is this study done in 2015 which said,
"officers were more likely to stop black drivers for no discernible reason. And they were more likely to use force if the driver was black, even when they did not encounter physical resistance.” (4)
There is a prejudice in the mind of the nation that permeates even into the psyche of law enforcement, creating undue bias in tense situations. And this prejudice also extends past the Law Enforcement community to the nation at large because although we have advanced in leaps and bounds since slavery was abolished, we have failed to address the issue of racism at its core.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church needs to be relevant and involved in this discussion as the most racially diverse religious group in America. (5)
And we cannot make gains in the cause of racial equality if we show even the slightest sympathy for those that perpetrate racial prejudice, or if we dismiss it as being "political". We were once at the forefront of the Abolitionist movement to abolish slavery. We opened our homes to runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad. We disobeyed the Fugitive Slave Act and called for the racial equality of the black race. Would you call these efforts "political"? Or perhaps this article from the Review and Herald 1865 was being political when it foretold:
"Slavery will be dead only in name. It will still exist in fact. There will still be bondmen in this land, bound in fetters of disfranchisement, proscription and prejudice, more galling and oppressive than the iron manacles that have heretofore clanked upon their bleeding limbs." (6)
Just like our Pioneers were at the forefront of the 19th century abolitionism, Seventh-day Adventists today must be in the forefront of opposing the disfranchisement, proscription and prejudice of minorities today. It is not a political issue, it is a moral imperative. Sure, the solution is best if aimed at the heart, and the Church can do this by issuing a straight-to-the-heart rebuke of racial prejudice and disfranchisement, and stop dismissing the issue and sweeping it under the rug as another "sin" that will be around until Jesus comes. If we are to call out sin by its right name, then it is part of our Biblical calling to condemn the modern day iteration of slavery!
How can the Gospel message of the Three Angels' go to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" if we have at best tolerated, or at worst perpetuated the prejudice and disfranchisement of the same? If we encourage silence or passiveness upon this matter, we will be judged guilty by these and our message will only have an ill effect upon them. How can we preach of a Heaven where prejudice does not exist and yet stand idly by as that same prejudice is displayed on this Earth? God's People can no longer be silent. They can no longer stand by.
In an article entitled "The Three Angels of Rev. XIV, 6-12" J. N. Andrews took aim at the United States' institution of slavery as part of the injustices of the "two-horned beast":
"If all men are born free and equal, why then does this power hold thereof millions of human beings in the bondage of slavery? Why is it that the Negro race is reduced to the rank of chattels personal, and bought and sold like brute beasts?" (7)
Ellen White herself wrote in the Review:
"The neglect of the colored race by the American nation is charged against them...Many among this race have noble traits of character and keen perception of mind. If they had an opportunity to develop, they would stand upon an equality with the whites." (8)
James White, John Andrews, Joseph Bates and many of the Adventist Pioneers including Ellen White saw that resolving the issue of racial justice was essential to the cause of the Third Angels' Message. Ellen White even rebuked the inadequacy of the government in providing assistance for blacks after their emancipation:
"Much might have been accomplished by the people of America if adequate efforts in behalf of the freedmen had been put forth by the Government and by the Christian churches immediately after the emancipation of the slaves. Money should have been used freely to care for and educate them at the time they were so greatly in need of help. But the Government, after a little effort, left the Negro to struggle, unaided, with his burden of difficulties...But how few have had a part in this work which should have had the sympathy and help of all!" (9)
If they didn't know Ellen White penned this statement, many would decry this as a "political", "socialist", "social justice warrior" mentality that has nothing to do with our message. But then, they don't know our message. The fact that literal slavery as an institution no longer exists does not diminish our obligation to confront racial prejudice wherever it is found. Those that suggest otherwise are not inline with our prophetic message and identity, no matter the lip-service they give to the truth.
The callousness of their disregard for minorities in their plights socially and economically speak volumes. Ours is a message intended for every individual on this Earth. This is the commission given to us by Christ, to preach a message of liberty and freedom from sin. And we cannot do that while we tolerate the sin of racial prejudice in our midst or in the world at large. There is a lot of hurt stemming from a system of prejudice long tolerated in this country. And while we disagree and cannot condone the methods some use to express it, we can understand the resentment that has formed over many, many decades.
We must sympathize with the pain, but also encourage a response tempered by compassion and intellect. But we must never, ever dismiss this issue. Those that perpetrate prejudice must be confronted, as with a bully or abuser, in a firm and uncompromising stance stating that their behavior will no longer be tolerated. Not unlike Christ who confronted the spiritual abuse of the Pharisees of His day.
"Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" Christ demanded of them in Matthew 23:33.
God dealt with the institution of slavery decisively, and even punished the North for long tolerating and enduring its presence. May this not be our lot for this day, and may we confront with boldness the modern slavery of disfranchisement, proscription and prejudice.
REFERENCES:
1. Ellen G. White, Counsels to the Church, pg. 316.
2. Cody T. Ross, "A Multi-Level Bayesian Analysis of Racial Bias in Police Shootings at the County-Level in the United States, 2011–2014", PLOS ONE, 5 November, 2015. <https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0141854> Accessed 5 May 2020.
3. US Department of Justice - Civil Rights Division, "Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department", 4 March 2015, <https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/03/04/ferguson_police_department_report.pdf> Accessed 5 May 2020.
4. Sharon LaFraniere and Andrew W. Lehren, "The Disproportiate Risks of Driving While Black", New York Times, 25 October 2015, <https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/25/us/racial-disparity-traffic-stops-driving-black.html> Accessed 5 May 2020.
5. Michael Lipka, "The most and least racially diverse U.S. religious groups", 27 July 2015, <https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/07/27/the-most-and-least-racially-diverse-u-s-religious-groups/> Accessed 5 May 2020.
6. James White, Review and Herald, June 20, 1865.
7. John Andrews, Review and Herald, April 3, 1855.
8. Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, December 17, 1895.
9. White, Testimonies, Vol. 9, pg. 205.
Lemuel Valendez Sapian was born and raised in Denton, Texas and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of North Texas. Married with four fast-growing children, his passion is for world, religious, American and military historical studies. A lifelong Christian, he is an aspiring minister in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a business owner and avid traveler.