Comma

By Pastor Paul Gauche

Today’s Word: ‘Comma’ as in… what a difference it makes where the comma goes.

I’m learning the difference between saying “I’m not a racist” (which, if I’m honest, I am) and “I’m not anti-racist” (which, if I am honest, I haven’t been).

I detest that about myself.

It’s taken me a good bit of honest self-reflection to arrive at this understanding. It’s not unlike the work my brothers and sisters in the recovery community do on a daily basis. But healing happens when I’m willing to look at and acknowledge my shortcomings and faults, own up to them and seek restoration.

Think of it this way: It’s really easy to “like” something on the social media page posted by my black friend. But not standing up for her, not coming to his aid, refusing to speak out when they’re oppressed or treated differently because our skin color is different… well, that just reveals the injustice.

I can say “I’m not a racist,” but if I’m not also consistently, vocally, honestly and actively “anti-racist” then the whole thing falls apart.

It’s at that very point that the little comma holds me accountable. That comma, right there, slows me down, gives me pause, provides me with an opportunity to reconsider taking one more step toward healing.

Here’s how all of that looks to me: No more “Not racist.” No, more anti-racist.”

 

No more killing. No, more living.

No more walls. No, more bridges.

No more violence. No, more peace.

No more sleeping. No, more waking.

No more apathy. No, more empathy.

No more silence. No, more speaking truth to power.

No more standing alone. No, more standing together.

No more “them” and “those.” No, more “we” and “us.”

No more hopelessness. No, more hope against all hope.

No more looking away. No, more looking at one another.

No more “My way or the highway!” No, more Christ-like Third Way.

No more resisting self-reflection. No, more insisting on self-awareness.

No more “humanity’s inhumanity to humanity.” No, more humanity, period.

No more wringing my hands. No, more holding your hands.

No more “Send someone else.” No, more “Send me!”

No more weeping alone. No, more crying together.

No more sitting down. No, more rising up.

No more exclusions. No, more inclusions.

No more disunity. No, more community.

No more ignorance. No, more learning.

No more divided. No, more united.

No more fear. No, more trust.

No more death. No, more life.

No more lies. No, more truth.

No more hate. No, more love.

No more injustice. No, more peace.

#100days50words

Paul Gauche is the Pastor of Life Transitions at Prince of Peace. His posts are part of his #100days50words project, where be blogs about a different word each day. You can follow his project on Instagram (@pgauche), or on his blog, Thriving Rhythms.