Capitalism and Anti-Racism

It has been over six months since George Floyd’s passing. Riots have raged across the nation. State and federal political figures have laid the groundwork for their goals toward lasting change. Black artists have carved marvelous works documenting the truth about America’s past dealings with racism in hopes of seeing a country unified, putting the daunting horrors of racial prejudice behind them. 

The conversation has been forwarded. People of varying backgrounds are learning and practicing what it takes to break the generational barriers of bigotry and hate. But there is a question that refused to leave my mind over the last couple months. 

What took so long?

Did it take Ahmaud Arbery, Breanna Taylor, and George Floyd losing their lives in order for the conversation to be forwarded? Did it take weeks of riots in the streets in order for the people of America to wake up? Did it take more than fifty years since the death of Martin Luther King Jr. and four hundred years since the first ships of African slaves reaching the American shores to stir the pot for the sake of racial equality? 

Whether we like it or not, the answer is yes. I, like most Americans, am thankful for all that the country has done for the sake of racial reconciliation, but I’m frightened about what I’m currently seeing. 

Walking through the aisles of the book section Target yesterday in hopes of finding great Christmas presents for my family, I came across an entire section titled, “Anti-Racism Literature.” Several titles lined the shelves by influential Black authors like Ta-Nahesi Coates, Isabel Wilkerson, and Ibram X. Kendi. In the same way, Barnes and Noble had several tables filled with the same authors and titles. 

Regardless of your opinion of these authors, their writings have been strung across bookstores, department stores, and online shopping outlets for the last several months. Yet, a majority of their works have been out for years, and they are now getting the social and economic fanfare and recognition they deserve. 

In their respective communities, they have risen the ranks and received labels as “Black voices,” but people in the suburban, white communities are only now hearing their names. Why is that? Because, in the eyes of American capitalism, only now are do their voices matter.  

Filling the Demand

The topic of Anti-Racism sells now. It’s the hot topic. It’s the big deal in America, and rightly so. I have been greatly blessed from researching and reading on the topic. I feel like I have benefited by reading Black voices pointing out the truth of American white supremacy and privilege. I can be very honest, I might not have found the writings of Isabel Wilkerson or Jemar Tisby if it weren’t for the tables of Barnes and Noble or the aisles of Target, but what will we do a year or two from now? 

What will we do when the conversational waves of racial reconciliation have subsided? Will their books continue to have the same level of recognition? Will pastors continue to preach the message of racial reconciliation to their congregations? Will businesses continue to open the doors to diverse employment and promotions? Will we continue to research into the dark past of American racism in hopes of a brighter future of equality, or will it take another riot, another march, or another event of police brutality in order for the topic of justice to sell in the American market?

Tisby, speaking on the history of enslavement during the colonial era writes, 

“Individuals and groups who had power chose dividend over dignity and made America a place where darker-skinned people occupied a limited and inferior role in society.” 

Dividend over dignity. Sound familiar? While some, not all, major-market companies truly have a heart for equality and justice, other corporations decide to boost their bottom line by putting out statements in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Churches have shown themselves to be more diverse on social media platforms, doing their best to close the white-washed narrative of American Evangelicalism. The NFL has expanded their resolution toward more minority front-office and head coach hiring. Now, have these American sectors made these moves to save face or, rather, genuinely move the line for change? 

A Church of Change

Only time will tell the story, but with Christ as head of the church, the goal of equality should not and cannot be a political or social move. It must be a move toward the benefit of all humanity and glorify our risen King. Past history has made it clear that our natural inclination is to marginalize, scrutinize, and hate others. Christ exalts and saves all people. He loves all nations, tribes, and tongues. 

As the people of God, may our bottom lines, market shares, and social media presence not dictate the moves we make. May our identity and union with Christ lead us to lives of fullness together, all people, as his bride. No people group moves ahead on the spectrum of glory. We all fall short. We are all sinners. We are all liars, and haters of the truth. We all, despite our unworthiness, are saved by our Risen Messiah and King of Glory, the Son of God. 

James 2:1, "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory."