Letters To The Editor

Racial understanding comes from the heart

I have come to realize that although systemic racism exists and that reconciliation occurs between two people, the healing process starts within the individual.

This spring break I got to experience a small amount of racial healing. For six days I lived in the Chicago's Austin neighborhood and served, was blessed by and learned from people at local churches through Intervarsity Christian Fellowship's Chicago Urban Program.

We talked about hard issues, such as racial reconciliation and racial injustice. I think many people realized that these issues are much deeper than we can ever imagine.

Every ethnicity is guilty of prejudice and ethnocentrism. I realized that as black woman, I am guilty as well. If you knew me, you would know that I have friends of all ethnicities. My closest friends are Indian, white, black, Mexican and Korean.

At the same time, I still have a long way to go on this journey of racial reconciliation. I have been negatively influenced by culture and family and have allowed prejudice to seep in.

One of the most challenging aspects of the program was to face prejudice in my heart. I realized that I had made wrong, stupid, and hurtful assumptions about a white person in my group. Later, she proved that she did not fit those stereotypes.

I realized that it was wrong and evil to judge her, and I confessed it to her and told her how my wrong opinions had changed.

The only way to overcome prejudice is by realizing that your own heart must change and that even when you think you have changed, as I did, you need to realize that you are never completely there, and you will never completely understand racial issues.

Even if you think your anger or hatred is justified, realize that it will only hurt yourself to hold onto it. I am also asking NU students to go and ask the hard questions. Go up to your friend and explain that you just don't know and need clarification about something related to their ethnicity. You should explain that instead of making judgments about your friend, you wanted to prevent a greater hurt by potentially making a smaller one.

Also, you need to go outside of your comfort zone and displace yourself. You will learn a lot about yourself in a new situation.

Through my faith in Jesus, I know that God is working in my heart to show me the bad things that are there and is also working in the hearts of the people around me to help us all address the issues of our personal racism and also the larger issues of systemic injustice and societal racism.

Finally, with that faith, I know that there is a long journey for peace to "destroy the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility" (Ephesians 2:14) but the victory is already won.

- Lauren Robinson Communication junior Multiethnic Intervarsity Christian Fellowship member

Thank you for speaking out against bigotry, NU

The Rainbow Alliance would like to thank all of the members of the Northwestern community for responding strongly and effectively to the individuals distributing anti-homosexuality pamphlets at the Arch on Monday, March 26.

It is important to speak up against bigotry with a clear and responsible voice. We appreciate the amount of people who took action and spoke with these individuals, regardless of whether or not the issue affects them on a personal level.

Thanks again from the Northwestern Rainbow Alliance for creating a supportive and accepting environment on our campus!

- Patrick Dawson Weinberg freshman spokesperson, Rainbow Alliance executive board