I’m among the million or so people who have seen NFL player Benjamin Watson’s Facebook post about Ferguson, but in contrast to many of my Christian friends, I haven’t “Liked” it. The answer to the frustration, fear, and anger Watson feels, and the answer to racism, is Jesus, says Watson. I find this ironic because Christianity has long played a starring role in the dehumanization of people of African descent (check out chapter 1 of the book in the link).
Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean Watson is wrong. (On a theological side note, though, I know people of many religions and some of none at all who don’t show any inclinations toward anti-blackness, and I’m not sure Jesus could improve them in this regard.) It means repentance from Christians, especially white Christians, for perpetuating racism is necessary before we can move forward as a country. Read more at National Catholic Reporter.