Hatefulness and racism need to end
Hatefulness and racism need to end
Historical records show racism as a symptom of arrogant self-centered people. In this particular story, the consequence of backbiting people in positions of power resulted in a contagious life-threatening disease. This brings to mind COVID-19, political divisiveness, and racial tensions today. What can we learn from history?
Miriam and Aaron were Moses’ siblings holding powerful positions during the Exodus. After years of slavery, you’d think they’d be hyper-sensitive to others. Instead, they acted with pride and self-interest. It was manifested by talking against their brother because of his marriage to a black woman.
Angering God, immediately they all were confronted with thought provoking reprimands, even Moses who was humble and innocent of the offense. Singling out the two offenders, the instigator was inflicted with a disease. Miriam’s skin became snow white with a deathly pallor. It was like “you think white skin is better, you’ll get white skin.” In horror at the sight of his leprous sister, Aaron immediately repented and begged forgiveness. Moses also cried out to God to please heal her.
God responded with judgment of solitary confinement for purification. The entire nation had to wait to move on to the Promise Land until she returned from quarantine–changed.
This begs the question of what changes we need to make individually to enable our country to move in a positive trajectory. Hatefulness and racism needs to end. Created in the image of God, we are meant to love. Loving one another is the only hope for the future.
Michele Lincoln, Lahaina
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this!
Can you provide references in scripture precisely in the Old Testament?
Michele, thank you for bringing your hobby,…..I mean religion…..in to the issue. BTW, my caddy agrees with you.
The irony,……Hawaii is the most openly racist state in the Union.
This Bible story and many others show that God really has a sense of humor, even in his punishments.
I will add, though, that we do not really know if racism was behind the death of George Floyd. Maybe it was just cruelty or stupidity. Cruelty and stupidity are also just as bad, so that is not any excuse. I am just saying that it is not worth starting riots that lead to the murders of dozens of fellow black people, especially when we do not even know whether racism was the cause of Floyd’s death.
By that reasoning, we would NEVER know if racism was the cause, because someone could easily say racism WASN’T the cause. This issue is pernicious, and you absolutely can not look at the situation as this kind of either it is or it isn’t. Systemic racism exists. PERIOD. Until it doesn’t exist, and the disparity between how people of color and white people are treated by law enforcement is rectified, GO WITH THE REASON BEING RACISM. This is a serious problem which needs to be fixed, and people need to be sensitive to this issue. There is no reason to give people a pass by saying they were just cruel or stupid–racism is BOTH cruel and stupid. And please stop overstating the riot bit. This country has a long history of violent uprising. Unfortunately, it appears to be the only way things can get done. If you don’t want the violent protests, END THE SYSTEMIC RACISM. It is really that simple.
I always hear about Hawaii’s racism toward whites. So sad, since my mother was born on Kauai.
But, it is common knowledge on the west coast.