John 4:9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

What is racism? As I understand it, it is a deep-seated, virulent hate of the other and often not because you have had a negative experience with the individual you encounter but because that individual is part of another ethnic group. It is deep-seated because it is “inherited” or it has been taught that for many reasons or no reason at all “we just do not associate with those people”. This is exactly the under-current in this conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman.

The “active in your face racism” in America, which had been tempered in the last few decades by the gains of the Civil Rights Movement, enlightened governance and affirmative actions, is coming out of hibernation. It is blossoming again and the pods of hate are blowing in the wind from place to place in the country. But make no mistake it is an ill-wind that will benefit no one.

I find myself asking how to reconcile the societal injustices of the past and present with my understanding of the divine. The more I learn of policies and practices against various minority groups in this country’s history and currently, the more I realize that the stance of some that “minorities” should lift themselves up by their own bootstraps, is not fair, it’s not sufficient and will never work. There needs to be a permanent, personal commitment on the part of those who educate, legislate, administrate and remunerate to be “my brother’s keeper”. To right the wrongs that you can.

If we are going to be followers of Jesus, we cannot perpetuate the wrong attitudes and practices which deny basic opportunities to huge sectors of society. So you ask: What does God require of me? Simply this: “To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Malachi 6:8)  You can only point others to the divine when you practice justice and mercy and share life-enhancing opportunities fairly.