Into the Fire

We are different from each other. Right? Some of us have been labeled Caucasian—whatever relevance that has to today’s cultures and ethnic variations. It’s been simplified to “white”. Others now called African-Americans used to be called Negro or “black”. Then there are all kinds of Asians who used to be called “oriental”. How about Mexicans who are often referred to as “Latinos”? Pick anyone from anywhere. Besides being people together, we can be very different in appearances, not to mention character, culture, and chicanery.

Why some people decide one ethnic color or heritage is superior to another is beyond reason and rationale. Makes zero sense. Of course we know the enemy of our souls is the instigator of turning people against people and people against God. Nevertheless, we acknowledge that what is known as racism is prevalent in places all across this world. Not just here in the United States. Everywhere. Someone somewhere thinks because he’s white, black, golden, or you-name-it, he is superior to someone who is not.

We each have inherent qualities which have no relation to our skin colors. Some of us grow up being taught to hate and since it’s easier for some than others to be tempted in this area of sin, there is prejudice, pride, and all the separatist ugliness to go along with it.

All different kinds and colors of people resist associations with those who are not like them. Nothing new. Some of it is borne out of fear rather than hatred, a misunderstanding of likenesses and differences between the humankind.

But here’s the deal: to pretend we don’t have apparent differences if only in appearance seems foolish to me. It’s obvious we’re different. So what? Color of skin has never determined one’s character, and it never will. It might determine an ethnic heritage, but just as often in this day and age, many people of all kinds are far removed from their family’s real history. My Italian heritage traces back to the province of Lucca, Italy, but when my dad in his senior years went back to try to find even a trace of his family history, he found no one who knew of his father or his relatives. Too many years. Too far in the past. It’s like this for many folks today.

Having said all that to give you this: If you see President Obama as the “first black president”, ask yourself what you’re really saying. Do you also acknowledge that he’s half “white”? He’s a man, folks. He stands for things which some apparently think are rational and needed. I see him as a man who stands up for things which are evil—not just bad ideas. Abortion is evil. It is a horrible deception used to kill infants in the womb. He is breaking this country down economically step by step and creating a government which resembles the old Soviet Union. It has nothing to do with his “race”. Yet when people rise up to disagree with his philosophies and actions, some politicians pull out accusations of racism.

Obama is to be evaluated by his policies, not his color. And don’t think it’s racism which is bringing his popularity numbers down because it’s his practices which, when exposed, show who he really is, and it has absolutely nothing to do with ethnicity unless he wants it to. What motivates a man to want to bring a great country to its knees? That’s the question he needs to answer.

Father, you know my prayer. You know. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.