Racism, the Secret Sin
Shame
Shelby Steele’s book, Shame, was a thought-provoking read this week. The story of the author’s personal journey during America’s tumultuous fight for Civil Rights in the 1960s and following was captivating. While I certainly agree with his father, who was the son of a man born into slavery, that we shouldn’t “underestimate America … (due to the) amount of change seen in [his] own lifetime,” [1] I would have to argue that racism does still sadly exist in the United States. It is definitely not to the extent that it was one hundred years ago, or even in the 1960s, however, it is present.
Racism Trumps Friendships
In thinking of racism, and Native Americans, I would like to share something that happened here in Mississippi about fifteen years ago. I had not been home from the mission field in Kenya very long. I was the missionary at a new church plant, and was already working with the Choctaw Indians. Our church plant was growing, and we had just built a new building. I was inviting Choctaws to church on Sundays and Wednesdays, and serving as the Youth Minister at the time. What started out as just one person responding eventually became twenty people. The previously all white congregation became uncomfortable as their ratio was being challenged. Instead of being thrilled with the outreach and the lives being touched for the Lord, they were jealous, and grew hateful and bitter. I didn’t understand what was going on at the time. One Sunday night when I was sick and the Choctaw weren’t there, a few of them called a business meeting. I was voted out of the church for causing discord by bringing too many Choctaws and overfilling the church van. That night, the pastor and worship team resigned, along with three of the four deacons. It was terrible. Together, we started a new church where everyone is welcome, regardless of race, or wealth, or anything else. It is a place where everyone is welcome to come meet Jesus.
Hypocrisy
It took me years to fully understand all that happened at my former church. I had never experienced such hatred and racial prejudice first hand, least of all by people who called themselves Christians. In her study on racism and the American Indian, Bethany Berger concludes that white Americans continue to follow the same old pattern of tribal oppression, only it has been reshaped for our modern ideology. [2] People from that church attempted to justify their behavior by publicly defaming my character and spreading lies about me, and even about our new church. It was hypocrisy. As Shelby Steele describes hypocrisy in Shame, “all his self-justifications come to seem outrageous affronts to reason”. [3] The rumors eventually died down, and our new church has grown abundantly. God continues to bless us. He is faithful.
Making Amends
Mark Royce has written a ground-breaking book entitled Native American Plights: The Struggle Against Inequality and Racism. In it he recommends a series of ways to dismantle discrimination against indigenous peoples in a variety of peaceful ways. [4] Our new church is a model of unity and Christian community. We think it is a little taste of heaven here on earth. (Revelation 5:9) We have concentrated on evangelism and discipleship, and tried to ignore the attacks that weakened as time went on. That was the best approach. In his book, Shame, Steele talks about Real Good as being moral responsibility, both personal and collective. [5] In this situation, it was knowing how to respond to the ongoing attacks of another church that were both false and demeaning. Over the years since the incident that Sunday night at my former church when I was voted out, several members there have made amends with me and with the Choctaw, seeking forgiveness and right relationships. That has been a sweet outcome.
Conclusion
As the apostle Paul put it so eloquently in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” [6] The ground is level at the foot of the cross. We must all remember this, and not think more highly of ourselves than we ought.
_______________________________________________________________________
[1] Steele, Shelby. 2015. Shame: How America’s Past Sins Have Polarized Our Country. New York: Basic Books, p.123.
[2] Berger, Bethany, Race to Property: Racial Distortions of Property Law, 1634 to Today (April 12, 2022). Arizona Law Review, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4082286
[3] Steele, Shelby. 2015. Shame: How America’s Past Sins Have Polarized Our Country. New York: Basic Books, p.47.
[4] Royce, Mark. 2022. Native American Plights: The Struggle Against Inequality and Racism. Independent, p.100.
[5] Steele, Shelby. 2015. Shame: How America’s Past Sins Have Polarized Our Country. New York: Basic Books, p.127.
[6] Crossway Bibles, ed. 2007. ESV: Study Bible: English Standard Version. ESV text ed. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles, p.1980.
About the Author
Tonette Kellett
Missionary, teacher, Bible student, traveler ... Having lived in Kenya and Korea, I now live in Mississippi and work with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.12 responses to “Racism, the Secret Sin”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Tonette,
Thank you for sharing.
Excellent job weaving in your various sources!
I happy to know that your current church is thriving and open to all!
Thank you Kristy, you are always a terrific encouragement with your words.
Hi Tonnett,
Knowing your experience of working with the Choctaws, I was eager to read your post. In Jean’s blog, he mentioned that he has worked with Native Americans in Arizona who face hardship upon hardship due to generations of injustice inflicted upon them by white America. Based on how he talked about African Americans overcoming racism, Steele would likely preach personal responsibility in regards to the plight of Native Americans (but maybe he’d surprise me). What are your thoughts on this? It seems Steele belittles the powerful force of centuries of oppression. I would love to hear more about your experience of working with Native Americans in overcoming all that they have had to deal with.
David,
The motto for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is Self-Determination, but they people as a whole don’t really understand it. It’s something they are striving for, but have not yet attained.
There is so much racism to overcome here in Mississippi still today directed toward Native Americans. The best way to help them overcome this, for me, is to live transparently and honestly before them. It’s imperative to always keep my word with them. I’ve spoken of this before in another blog. And to build trust with them. And that simply takes a lot of time.
Tonette, I’m always appreciative of how you navigate the books we read by sharing your own experiences. I appreciate even more how you elevate the experiences of the Choctaw community you work with and live amongst. I suspect that part of what will combat the shame of racism past and the reality of racism today will be people who are willing to be vulnerable and people who are humble enough to elevate the stories and voices of those who don’t often get to share.
Thank you Caleb – I always appreciate your comments and insights.
Tonette,
Even in the absolute chaos of your previous church, I so loved that the other leaders of the church stood with you on what was right. I know that was a terrible night, but when it came to light to you… I can imagine the somewhat relief that they all stood for you too.
I am so glad that all of you are out of that church! Good riddance to them!
Alana,
Looking back – hindsight is always 20/20 isn’t it?? – I can see God’s hand in it for all of our good … so many Choctaw have come to know the Lord as a result, and our new congregation is just wonderful. I would never go back!
Tonette,
Thank you for sharing your experience and for advocating for the people you serve.
I definitely will purchase a few of the books you referenced. Thanks!
Audrey –
Thank you!
I especially recommend for you Royce’s book on racism … Native American Plights: The Struggle Against Inequality and Racism. It’s wonderful.
This is mind blowing, Tonette. “Don’t spread the love of Christ too much or we’ll kick you out of here!” Absolute hypocrisy at its finest. Did your former congregation have a statement or faith where it stated somewhere a mission to bring people to Christ? I’m proud of you for standing tall in this ridiculous situation. Keep being the hands and feet of Jesus and you never have to worry about a thing.
Tonette
Having lived in New Mexico as a youth, born in Wyoming, lived in Texas as an adult, and now living in Montana I can see the various races that are impacted by the systems and the continued shame response. The Native Americans, those fro Central America and Mexico, and the African Americans. When you live in proximity and see first hand the issues that arise It becomes evident that white guilt and government assistance programs are only a part of the issue. There is still deep fear and misunderstanding in our society, that is in need of healing and learning. Thank you for sharing your personal story. Seeing these type of things first hand has a way of changing us and opening our eyes to the things that break God’s heart. May our hearts be broken and our shame overshadowed by our empathy and love for God’s creation.