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Humility

“Love does not boast; it is not proud.” (1 Cor 13:4)

We are certainly living through chaotic and unpredictable times – against the backdrop of this global pandemic, we have witnessed in the last week mass protests on the streets, the tearing down of racist statues and the banning of certain TV shows, films and songs. There are cries of “all lives matter” and “it’s gone too far” while others are rejoicing that we have finally realised just how much white privilege still exists, and how much racism, prejudice and discrimination is still present in the 21st century. It’s an uncomfortable truth, and many prefer to live in denial or call those campaigning for change the “snowflake” generation.

I remember a few years ago there were similar attitudes opposing the #MeToo movement, accusing women of lying about their experiences or jumping on the band wagon for attention. Perhaps those who oppose such movements towards equality hold an excessive sense of pride in their country and what it represents, boasting of its status, achievements and superiority, while denying the very oppression and injustice that it was built upon. We like to talk about freedom, equality and respect for all, but are these just words? Are we still putting those who fit into “our tribe” – whether because of their race, age, sexuality, political or religious views – above others, treating them more favourably because they are more “like us?”

We as humans like to think in terms of “us” versus “them” and a great current example of this is the intergenerational hatred that seems so rife at the moment on social media. For example, the way that the word “Boomer” itself has become an insult against older people, Generation X are often dismissed as “whingers” and Millenials are accused of being over-sensitive (“snowflakes”) and self-obsessed. An extreme of this hatred is the #BoomerCull, a joke about how the coronavirus seems to disproportionately affect the older generation – and that somehow that’s ok! A lot of this can be brushed off as jokes, but where do we draw the line between a joke and an insult?

What our society desperately needs right now, I would argue, is a huge injection of humility – to let go of our over-inflated egos and self-righteousness and to finally admit that we have got things wrong, and still do, and to face up to our failings, both individually and collectively. What we should never do is erase or deny our history, however shameful or uncomfortable, but we must instead own it and learn from it, or else there is a real danger that history will just keep on repeating itself. I saw this quote recently on Facebook which sums things up really well:

“Black Lives Matter. Treat racism like Covid-19:

  • Assume you have it

  • Listen to experts about it

  • Don’t spread it

  • Be willing to change your life to end it.”

So I’ll end with this question: what changes could you make in your life, whether big or small, that would help to end racism for good?


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