How to Solve Racism

We, as Americans, have no power to solve our own race issues between blacks and whites.  In a court trial between an abused person and the abuser which person gets to determine the verdict? Neither, they are both intrinsically biased, the judge gets to decide.  When a football player stretches out for the touchdown and thinks he scores but the other team says it wasn't quite enough, who settles the ensuing disagreement?  Someone who is on neither team, someone who doesn't care who wins, someone who they both trust - a referee.  In a history as dark and convoluted as ours in the States who gets to speak what is true?  Who gets to decide what is just?  Who gets to voice the motives of the parties involved?  Well. How about Indian immigrants? 

Ajay on center stage

Last week I started tearing up (as in crying, not ruining a dance floor).   I was at a church planting conference in Orlando Florida.  I was one of a few white people among 70 second generation immigrants from India.  "We have this beautiful opportunity," said the speaker, "to speak truth into the race issues here in the States.  We are neither black nor white.  We don't share their history or their issues, we have our own set of different issues."  Thinking of people coming from a different country  with all the hardships of being a foreigner, taking on the responsibility and complexity of involving themselves in our personal disputes made me feel like crying.  How beautiful.  How selfless.  Sounds like something Jesus would do.  Sounds like something Jesus is doing.  We need them.  We need some Indian missionaries.  Because we can't do this by ourselves.

Chic-Filet catered our lunch

It gets me excited to be an American moving to India.  Who knows what kind of cultural issues and debates that I will have the privilege of being bi-partisan to, what kind of truths I will be able to speak that can only be accepted if it's me speaking them; just by living in a foreign country and getting to know those around me and seeking to love them.  Maybe I am the answer to racism in India.