Racism Hurts

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:10

Charlotte was upset when she got home from school. “Some kids were being mean to Imani today, and I don’t know what to do,” she told her mom.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Mom. “I know you two are close. What were the kids saying?”

“Well, first they were making fun of her hair, saying it was really poufy…but then they started calling her names and teasing her about how she looked. She started crying, and so did I because they were just being so mean!”

“That’s horrible!” Mom frowned. “Do you want me to email your teacher?”

Charlotte nodded and started to tear up. “Then Imani ran off to the bathroom.

I followed her and gave her a hug and said I was there, but…I don’t know what else I can say.” Charlotte sat down at the table, letting her backpack fall to the floor with a thump.

“That’s hard,” said Mom. “But if you want to say something, first you can remind Imani that she is just as much created in the image of God as anyone, and that He loves her and made her exactly how He wants her to be. Then maybe you can remind her that Jesus died to reconcile wrongs and is always with her, and that when He returns, He will right every wrong and provide justice to those who have faced injustice like Imani.”

“Those sound good! I wish I had thought of them before,” said Charlotte.

“Actually, I think what you did was good too!” Mom said. “Sometimes our friends just need us to listen and be there for them. Today you came home and wanted advice, but remember last week when you got your science quiz back?

You were upset about your grade, and all I did that day was listen.”

“And I felt better after I talked about it!” Charlotte realized.

Mom nodded. “Imani might feel the same way. She might want to talk about getting teased, or she might not. But it’s important to understand that sometimes our friends face problems we’ll never experience. When that happens, we can be willing to listen and be there for our friends, even if we don’t always have the right words.”

Charlotte nodded again. “Listening. I can do that!” • Naomi Vroegop

How About You?

Has a friend of yours been treated badly because of their skin color or cultural background? Maybe you’ve experienced that yourself. It’s sad that the sin of racism exists, but we have hope that Jesus will bring justice. He took the punishment for all our sins, and one day He will right every wrong and restore our world. In the meantime, how can you fight racism and show God’s love to those it has hurt?

Today’s Key Verse:
Amos 5:24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus will bring justice