Racial Prejudice: A Deep Heart Attitude.

by Glenice Mills

The other night I watched a Four Corners programme about the death of an Aboriginal man in the back of a van which was used to transport him from a small town, to a court at Kalgoolie several hundred kilometres away.  This man’s death was caused by lack of duty of care; the air-conditioning failed in the compartment he was put into and even basic items such as water and toilet facilities were non-existent.  He was transported through desert country in the middle of summer without any consideration to his personal needs.
How this happened has been investigated and many government departments were held responsible for his death.  Systemic failure to heed warnings given by many that the vehicles were unsafe for transporting people led to this death.
However, what was really shown was the complete disregard for life, and the prejudice shown against this man because he was Aboriginal, and a drunk Aboriginal at that. It also exposed the buck passing of those in government authority positions who were negligent in rectifying a problem that was known by them for many years.
The attitudes of many was blatant disdain for this man’s life, resulting in lots of excuses being made.
The real issue is an Australian issue, one which I am reticent to write about. However, after seeing this programme the Lord has placed a burden on me to express His heart into an area that has been and still continues to be a “no go” subject.
When the subject of racial prejudice is bought up, it immediately brings discomfort.
Why is it that we try and brush this issue under the carpet, hoping it will go away?
The truth is; it is about a very deep-rooted heart attitude.  It actually gets to the depth of the fact we are sinners and whether we like it or not. Prejudice is sin, and it is a sin that we as Christians need to look at, myself included.  It takes courage to really look at the issue of prejudice because it is really looking at and taking accountability for the depth of the depravity of man‘s heart and actions. Satan is darkness and he wants these issues hidden so they can fester and bring people and nations into bondage.
However, Jesus is the light of the world and He wants to shine His light into the areas of darkness in our lives and ultimately into nations.  Unless and until the church seriously looks at the issue of racial prejudice it will remain a bondage to its people and to a nation; in this case the people and nation of Australia.

Psalm 139:23-24 - 
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; 
Try me, and know my anxieties; 
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting."

What are the root causes of racial prejudice?

PRIDE: It is an attitude of heart that says ‘I’m better than, I’m superior than you, you’re lesser than me’.
The pride of the men and women involved in this case of the Aboriginal man was blatant for all to see.  It was reflected in their behaviour and attitude; there was little remorse, only denial and finding someone to blame.  It was trying to shift blame onto a man who cannot speak for himself.  They were saying, without openly saying, that it was in some way this man’s fault for doing what he did.
He was caught drink driving. Apparently even the taking him to appear in court was way over the top for the so called crime he had committed.  It was clearly shown to be a vendetta against this man, that in some way this man was to be an example to be humiliated and made an example of.
Again this is pride of the worst order, one that had an agenda for humiliation at whatever cost.

JUDGMENT: A judgment has been made that defines someone by what we perceive and understand that a race acts and behaves in this manner.
We perceive Aborigines to be drunkards and lawless people who are out to cause trouble

Leviticus 19:15,16

15. You shall do no injustice in judgment.  You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty.  In righteousness you shall judge your neighbour.
16. You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbour: I am the Lord.

ATTITUDE: There is an attitude that an Aboriginal person is not worthy of true justice, that they are uneducated and therefore anything can be done to them as they are lesser beings.

LIES: Lies are believed that say ‘a race is lesser than, we are educated and know more so those with less knowledge are somehow lesser beings.’
We have a social class system that we slot people into, we lock them in, put a label on it and then put everyone in that basket. Many times those lies are used to misjudge the wider community and in this case the Aboriginal community. We say the Aborigines are a lesser class, we put the label ‘uneducated’ on them, then say all are inferior because of this.  This is not true as we know, but there is something in mankind that puts in the lowest common denominator and then say all are like this.
This Aboriginal man who died was in fact very highly esteemed in the town he was from.  He was an Aboriginal elder, he helped and spoke into the lives of all in the town, and was spoken of very highly by the police in this town as being a man who they could rely on to help many who were struggling in the community he was from.

MISUNDERSTANDING: If we hear and read enough about a race of people that is negative we then build up a wrong picture which leads to misunderstanding.
We misunderstand because we do not search out, get to know or choose to think differently about what we have seen and heard.  We do not challenge but instead believe all that is being said.  This builds misunderstanding and brings a wedge between people that need not be there if people would take the time to get to know, to research and to choose to move towards rather than move away through ignorance.
Ignorance is one of the biggest stumbling blocks that brings great misunderstanding.

LACK OF KNOWLEDGE: What do we really know about the Aboriginal people and the lives they lead?  It is only what we have learnt at school, or through books and television.  How can we really know people unless we search out and learn about the lifestyle and culture. As we gain a knowledge, we will then appreciate and esteem their culture and input into their lives in real and relevant ways that will bring true change into their lives.  It would result in our personal growth and also bring greater knowledge about them.

FEAR: Once a picture is painted and a judgment made we then fear what we don’t know and understand.  This is not right but ignorance can keep us in a safe place as we will not be challenged, however, once we look at racial prejudice we have to get past the fear of being exposed, of having to change our attitudes and choose to be different and to change our wrong thinking.
This will reveal the fears but also bring us into the truth of the state of our hearts and the depth of racial prejudice that is there.

GENERATIONAL MISUNDERSTANDING: What we have heard our parents and grandparents say about people will affect the judgments that we make.
Many have heard parents speak ill of the Aboriginal people and whether we like it or not it will colour our thinking and we will continue to pass on the same judgments unless we recognise the prejudice.
It is time for us to stop, take stock of the prejudice that we have come in agreement with, and where we ourselves have prejudice, repent of it and choose to be aware quickly where we have thoughts against a person of another race.
We can learn from Jesus and the way He interacted with those that were treated with disdain.  For example the way the He spoke to the Samaritan woman.  He respected her and she recognised something different and special about Him as He took the time to speak with her.

John 4:7-9 - 
"A woman of Samaria came to draw water.  Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”
For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?”
For Jews have no dealing with Samaritans."

We then see later in verse 27 the reaction of the disciples when they see Jesus speaking with her.

And at this point His disciples came, and they marvelled that He talked with a woman, yet no-one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?”

I wonder why none of the disciples asked Jesus why He was speaking to a woman and a Samaritan woman, which was not done. I am sure that challenged their mindsets and I wonder if they quietly discussed this among themselves when Jesus was not around.
Jesus was breaking down cultural barriers and if we are followers of Jesus Christ should we not also be showing His heart toward those of a different culture?
We also see in Luke 9:51 that when Jesus went into a Samaritan village He was rejected.  His disciples took offence at this and they wanted to call down fire from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did.
It was interesting to see how Jesus dealt with them.

John 9:35-36 -

"But He turned and rebuked them, and said,
“You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.
For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.”
And they went to another village."

You see here the disciples did not have the same heart as Jesus. It is interesting when Jesus said you do not know what manner of spirit you are of, because they were blinded to see them as the Lord sees them. I wonder what manner of spirit they were under? Perhaps a prejudice? They were quick to judge, just like we do, however Jesus heart concern was that they may be saved.
That is the heart we must have for those who are of a different culture from us. The enemy loves to bring division whether it be race, denomination, sex, or between any people group. We as Christians can recognise this tactic of the enemy and be careful that we do not in any way come in agreement with it.
I taught for many years in a very multi cultural kindergarten. I learnt quickly to appreciate the different cultures and I chose to learn from them about their lives.
It never ceased to amaze me, and it amazes me more particularly as I have now confronted my own prejudices, how precious we all are. God created diversity, He loves diversity, and how dare we judge what He has made. None are higher or better than another, we each are made in His image, we each have an aspect of Him and it is time that we learnt to move toward, trust and grow in our relationships one with another without any prejudice, judgments or condescension.
How we would grow as people, and be truly blessed to embrace all peoples no matter what tribe or tongue.
It starts with us, and the best place to start is here in Australia with one another and particularly with the Aborigines, the people who were here first.
Scripture instructs us to love our neighbour as ourselves. Prejudice is the opposite of love, and in fact if it is not love it must be hate. Hate is a strong word and one that we would much rather deny, than have a look at, but the truth is prejudice is having a hate in our hearts. Prejudice is certainly not love. The challenge for us as Christians is to look at this issue and for the church to be brave to talk openly about it and to repent and make some things right.

Leviticus 19:17 -
"You shall not hate your brother in your heart."

John speaks of love and hate in his letters.  There are some keys in these verses that we need to look at because when we have hate there are serious consequences to us and I believe also to a nation.

1 John 2:9-12 -
"He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, he is in darkness until now.
He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes."

When we have hate, or a nation has built up walls of resistance leading to hate it brings darkness and death.
Lastly, one of the greatest tragedies is the fruit of prejudice is injustice. Whether we like it or not as judging, misunderstanding, fear, wrong mindsets build up that leads to hate which leads to injustice being done. The victim, in this case the Aborigines are bought to a place that they do not have a voice and then injustice is given out by the perpetrators without any conscience. We have seen this in the history of this nation, and it is still going on today as shown with this man locked in the van.
It is no longer time for the church to be asleep on this issue but to rise up and be a voice, stand with and encourage those that minister and help the Aboriginal people to come into what God has created them to be, to be an integral part of this society here in Australia and to be a part of His body, the church. If we hear of or know of any injustice’s being done at this time we must not remain silent, but speak out and bring
Truth, exposing the lies, so justice can be done.
So how has this happened to Australia?  Prejudice is an issue that needs looking at here and for us to come into the true blessing the Lord wants to release to this nation it must be addressed and change of attitude to come in.
The key comes back to the verse in 2 Chronicles 7:14

"If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

God’s heart is for this nation. Many intercessors have prayed into this area but it is now time for the wider body of Christ to seriously take a look at this issue.
I sense the Lord is putting His burden on many at this time about racial prejudice and there is an opportunity and grace to repent, renounce and return to Him.
The Lord is looking for a people who will be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit to stand in the gap for this nation.

So what can we do to rectify this problem?

1. Invite the Holy Spirit to come and bring His Spirit of conviction and repentance upon us to show us the prejudice in our hearts.
As we do this ask the Lord to reveal our pride, judging, misunderstanding, fears, and hate so we can get to the depth of this so change can come.

2. Repent where we have come in agreement with the enemy by believing the lies that Aborigines are lesser than, that their lives are inferior to ours.

3. Stand in the gap and repent for the generational misjudging that has taken place where we have believed lies leading to prejudice.

4. Ask the Lord to release us from the bondage this has bought, that He would release us from the blindness and death that has come about by this sin.

5. Ask the Lord to heal us and this land from the prejudice.

6. Ask the Lord to convict us and show us quickly where we fall into the trap of prejudice so that we can change going forward, recognising and being willing to go forward in the truth.

7. Ask the Lord to show us where there is injustice, where if we have known or been a willing party to any injustice to the Aboriginal people.

God’s grace and His mercy is upon us at this time for us to seriously address this issue.
Let’s join with Him and rise up, take a look at the prejudice in our hearts and choose to recognise it and to change.

I Had A Dream…

by Jodi Fischer

I had a dream that I was swimming at the beach.  It was a clear day and the water was calm.  There were other people at the beach swimming in the water.  Then what seemed like out of nowhere came a huge wave.  I grabbed on to a post (these were strategically wedged into the sand) and held on.  It took along time for the first wave to pass and my physical body wanted to let go, although I knew I had to hold on.  Some of the other swimmers did not notice the wave coming and were swept away.  I noticed the next wave coming and alerted the other swimmers to be prepared as they were not watching and oblivious to its arrival.  We held on tight.  This set did not seem like it was going to pass, although eventually it did.  After each set I wanted to relax and have fun in the water although I knew I had to be alert and watching for the next “Wave”.

I believe the waves represent the trials and tribulations that will arise in our life without warning.  The pole represents the “Rock” (Jesus) that we need to hold on to tightly without letting go.  We must be alert, with our eyes open at all time.  As a body we need to be THE BODY and help our members whose vision may be burred or depleted in strength.  We need to be strong emotionally, spiritually and physically, and grounded in the Word of God as faith will be a key to maintaining our strength.