There are two ways in which Christians respond to racism. They’re many of well-known people such as martin Luther King, Desmond tutu and Trevor Huddleston.
Martin Luther king was an American Baptist Minister who is very famous for his work against racism/In the 1950s and 60s there was a lot of discrimination and prejudice against people Many people did not have a vote and there were some areas which were white only. King was a Christian who campaigned against this discrimination. He did not think that all whites were evil like some black racists did. King also supported non-violent methods of protest such as boycotts and rallies.
Blacks and whites were treated very differently, and were not given the same way of life and advantages. In Montgomery blacks were only aloud to sit at the back of buses and had to give up their seat to a white person. One of the most famous protests that king organised was a bus boycott because a tired black woman refused to give up her seat to a white persona was arrested. This movement was called the civil rights movement of 1960 whose leader was Martin Luther king. Many laws were passed in favour of whites, because of his non-violent protests. One of the most famous speeches Martin Luther King said was: “ I have a dream that one day Gods children, blacks, whites, Jews, Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the black peoples old song “Free at last, free at last, Thank God Almighty, we are free at last.”
Desmond tutu is another example of someone who responded to racism using pacifism. He is an Anglican Archbishop in South Africa, and a civil leader. He announced apartheid as ‘as one of the most viscous systems of Nazism’. He also said that the day that he was proved wrong on this would be the day that he would burn is Bible. In South Africa the world council of churches condemned apartheid and South African churches declared it a false teaching, which perverts Christian truth. One of tutus most famous quotes was: ‘I am puzzled about which bible people are reading when they suggest religion and politics don’t mix’. He knew that god was political because when he refused the slaves from Egypt he lead them to freedom in the Promised Land. Politics have lead in the past to the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, this means that Christians should speak out against the government policies against Christian teaching. Desmond tutu‘s beliefs came from his Christian faith prayer and worship was essential to him. He was a very comical spokesman, which seemed to get the point across better to people. Also it is very hard to be hostile towards someone who makes u laugh! Not all Christians respond to racism in non-violent methods. Many people still use violence to resolve racism.
People, who taunt others, in my opinion, are actually insecure about themselves. It might be because they are uncomfortable with who they are as a person, or how they look, but whatever the reason is, they only put down others to build themselves up. These kind of people are often very brave in front of others, but lose much of their power when on their own. This goes to show, racism isn't just caused by just one person, but many people who have had ideas put into their heads. These leaders would be powerless without their followers. A famous example of this is Adolf Hitler.
Although I belive it is alright to be prejudice against a single or group of people because of something they have done that affects you, but your prejudice should not over flow into violence or abuse.
In conclusion, no matter what anyone says, we are all equal, regardless of where we came from or what we look like. Racism is not only offensive to those who are it's victims; it ruins lives and hurts people emotionally, mentally, and physically. Racism is WRONG.
