Hey White Person...

Hey white person,

There’s something I need to get off my chest. Something I need to tell you, and it’s very important you hear what I am about to say.

I want you to know that…I love you. And I am grateful for you.

Did I surprise you? Were you expecting something else? Did you think I was going to attack or accuse you? Were you expecting another blog post or article pointing a finger at you because you’re white, or something else?

Well, that’s not what I am going to do. I am a black man and am here to say that I love you. Maybe you’ve never heard this from a black man. But in today’s racial climate it needs to be said. I need you to know that you are loved by me, a black man.

Every time I turn on the news or get online I read about a racist act or some injustice that has happened in our country. All I see and hear today is hate. This is the narrative the media and our culture are putting out today. And you can’t deny the racial tensions in our country right now, especially after this past election season. Trump vs. Clinton. Some would even call it White America vs. Black America.

Culture is telling us that we can’t live in harmony or love one another. It’s telling us to be tolerant with each other or simply “put up” with the opposing races.

From police shootings, to protests, to politics, our country has – in many ways – pitted two of the most predominate races against each other.

Many people are aware of our country’s past when it comes to slavery, segregation, and Jim Crow laws. If you aren’t, I would encourage you to look up some of that history. However, I’m not here to talk about our history.

I am here to talk about our future.

But why?

As a black man, why I am telling you that I love you and that I am grateful for you when everything around me tells me to say the opposite? Why do I care about our future as a country and a people? I care because Jesus Christ tells me to.

Jesus first loved me by dying on the Cross and bearing my sin. He loved me regardless of my skin color or where I grew up. Jesus came to die for white folk, Hispanic folk, and black folk. The God of the Universe – the Creator of all things – came and shed his blood because He loves us! And those who believe and trust in this narrative are to love those of all colors, shades, and cultures. 

All throughout Jesus’ life he challenged the cultural status quo. During his time on earth racial tensions between Jews, Gentiles, and Samaritans were even more escalated and polarized than today.

Ethnic groups stayed in their own communities; it was rare for different ethnicities to dwell and live together. But when Jesus came on the scene he disrupted the cultural climate. Jesus talked to the Samaritan woman at the well; he healed the sick and poor gentiles; and preached to the Jews. These actions were unheard of during his time. Jews didn’t mingle with Gentiles and they definitely didn’t hang out with Samaritans. Even Jesus’ closet companions, the twelve disciples, were from different ethnicities and cultures. He had friends that were both Jews and Greeks, both tax collectors and religious zealots.

Jesus loved all people, therefore, as a Christian I want to love all people! That includes you – no matter your color or culture.

The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 2:14-15 that:

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility”

This is why I love you. This is why I am grateful for you. The Cross of Jesus tells me I can love my white brother and sisters right now, in spite of what the world tells me. This is the narrative and message our country needs today if we want to see a future that doesn’t hate. Christ has promised His people that in Heaven there will be multitudes of colors and shades that love each other. I want to experience that reality today. 

That’s why I love you.