By Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew Despite being quarantined, it feels as if many of us are busier at home than we expected. I think we are all learning that technology can keep us connected and we can still make things happen. I recognize in this opportunity, I am so blessed because there are those who are on the front lines daily in our hospitals, restaurants, auto shops, and other businesses that have been open since the beginning and those who are now returning since many of our cities are opening up. No matter which scenario may be your reality, please be mindful that we are still in a pandemic. As we struggle with a health crisis globally and another one, racism, in the states, we must stay vigilant in both but using caution to protect ourselves physically, mentally, psychologically, and spiritually. There is power in protesting and demonstrating— what can happen when the collective stands up against evil? Christians are called to stand up against injustice and it is amazing how silent many of our churches are on this issue. I was recently sharing with an audience on Juneteenth the historical context that informs our current reality. Racism has been a common thread throughout America, especially as a part of our existence starting in 1619. The first Africans were brought to this country which resulted in generational enslavement and up until now, there has been this ongoing struggle to be treated not just equally but there is an outcry and demand for equity in every area of our lives. Even during a pandemic, the impact of racism was evident for the African American community. Statistical data demonstrated not only the disparities in healthcare, but this has been ongoing as data proves inequities in generational wealth, incarceration, education, poverty and so many areas that impact our community. Racism and discrimination are not new in World History. In Acts 11:4-10 (MSG), Peter explains a vision that was a sheet filled with animals that were considered unclean. “Recently I was in the town of Joppa praying. I fell into a trance and saw a vision: Something like a huge blanket, lowered by ropes at its four corners, came down out of heaven and settled on the ground in front of me. Milling around on the blanket were farm animals, wild animals, reptiles, birds—you name it, it was there. Fascinated, I took it all in. Acts 11:7-10 “Then I heard a voice: ‘Go to it, Peter—kill and eat.’ I said, ‘Oh, no, Master. I’ve never so much as tasted food that wasn’t kosher.’ The voice spoke again: ‘If God says it’s okay, it’s okay.’ This happened three times, and then the blanket was pulled back up into the sky.” Peter’s background taught him that those things in the sheet were not good even though they were created by God. Even in the early church, there were arguments regarding the value of those who were circumcised or not, Jew or Gentile and it was all based on belief systems that were immersed in ideology that calls for one group to be viewed as less than. Ethnocentrism continues to rear its ugly head to justify the mistreat of one
