The round clock at the front of the classroom struck 9:00 a.m. Sunlight streamed through the whitewash blinds and fell on my wooden desk. I clasped the newly sharpened pencil. Did I dare look to the back of the room?
I bit my lip as I studied the kids around me. The girls wore brand-new dresses, and the boys were in their Sunday best. Boys didn’t care how they looked—except for the first day of school.
I glanced at the calendar—August 28, 1966. My first day of fifth grade and the beginning of a new school year, a new classroom, and many new faces. However, it wasn’t like any other first day of school.
I eyed my new teacher sitting at her desk. Why didn’t she introduce the new students—the ones off by themselves? I supposed that would be awkward since other newcomers weren’t different from the rest of us. To point out those in the back would only draw attention to them—that they didn’t belong.
I stole a glance despite my conscience telling me I should quit staring. I was bothered by everyone who was ignoring the new kids in the back. The room was unusually quiet. I could only hear whispers. No laughter. No warm greetings. No jokes. Just—whispers.
I half turned in an attempt to see into the eyes of one of the two black girls who sat alongside a black boy. Could I read fear in her face? Could I sense shyness in her unwillingness to make eye contact? Or was it something else?
In a classroom of uncertainty and scorn, I knew what it was like to be the one who was different. Long-buried memories resurfaced—and I felt their discomfort, all alone in a sea of white faces.
*~*~*~*
The above story was my personal introduction to desegregation in Cobb County, Georgia, just north of Atlanta, in fifth grade. Much progress toward racial equality has been made in the years following. However, I fear the Black Lives Matter movement threatens to undermine what's been achieved. The founders spearheading the campaign have added an underlying agenda that has nothing to do with the core issue.
I’m not going to minimize the problem of prejudice and racism. I know it exists, but I genuinely believe it is a people problem and not a country problem. If one takes a hard look at America compared to other countries, racial equality is more substantial here than anywhere else. We are a rich and vibrant culture—mainly due to the vast number of people who have immigrated here. The truth is, except for the Indians, we are all immigrants.
For a moment, though, I want to focus on African-Americans. I was as disturbed as everyone else to witness the murder of George Floyd at the hands of three white Minneapolis police officers on May 25, 2020. What happened was pure evil. Regardless of what preceded such an atrocity, to hold a helpless man down on the ground for almost nine minutes and stand by and watch his life leave him was inhumane. It makes me wonder if those police officers were psychopaths. I hope all three of them are punished to the fullest extent of the law. In my mind, they should receive the death penalty.
But this is where I draw the line: Because three officers in Minneapolis used poor judgment cannot be used as a basis to judge all police officers.
One cannot use one injustice (killing George Floyd) to fix other wrongs (e,g., defunding the police), which would have a disastrous effect on society. To riot, set buildings on fire, create autonomous zones where police are forbidden to go, or to embrace and give credence to a movement like Black Lives Matter is only perpetuating evil.
I captioned the local news in Santa Monica when rioters were stealing and robbing from stores. The police stood by and did nothing. I am a single mother, and I found this appalling. It makes me consider that I need to arm myself and know how to shoot like a pro. Who knows when I might have to defend myself or my daughters because the police can’t or won’t. We live in dangerous times. If we continue on this path, we will have anarchy.
Is that justice? What do people think when they say they want to defund the police? Look at what happened in the Chaz Zone (Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone) in Seattle this past weekend. The area was off-limits to Seattle police. There were two shootings within forty-eight hours. One person was killed, and another was critically injured. I captioned Fox News last week, where businesses in the Chaz Zone were destroyed, and the police did nothing. Who knows how many rapes and assaults have taken place. I want to give these people the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps they are well-intentioned, but they are sorely misguided to come up with this ill-concocted solution. One person is needlessly dead and another critically injured.
These demonstrators, emboldened by the Black Lives Matter Movement, have exchanged God’s moral law or standard for one based on a tribe’s governing rules. Whatever the tribe says is right. If you have a different set of standards, then you are part of the problem. That makes what’s right and what’s wrong morally relative. What does that create? Lawlessness.
In Matthew 24:10-12, Jesus told his disciples, when they asked him when the end of all things would be:
...many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 (NKJV), the Apostle Paul wrote to the church:
...And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
The Black Lives Matter Movement is dangerous. Their platform shreds the Bible—God’s moral law—and replaces it with the #BLM tribal standard. Sadly, many well-meaning organizations, Christians, and churches have bought into the Black Lives Matter agenda without carefully considering their real motive or platform.
The Bible predicted these events thousands of years ago. Those who know Biblical prophecy recognize what is happening now are the very things Jesus and the Apostle Paul predicted.
If the reader would like to read the platform of Black Lives Matter, CLICK HERE.
For those who don’t have time to read all of it, I will post a few excerpts.
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We are guided by the fact that all Black lives matter, regardless of actual or perceived sexual identity, gender identity, gender expression, economic status, ability, disability, religious beliefs or disbeliefs, immigration status, or location.
We make space for transgender brothers and sisters to participate and lead.
We are self-reflexive and do the work required to dismantle cisgender privilege and uplift Black trans folk, especially Black trans women who continue to be disproportionately impacted by trans-antagonistic violence.
We build a space that affirms Black women and is free from sexism, misogyny, and environments in which men are centered.
...We dismantle the patriarchal practice that requires mothers to work “double shifts” so that they can mother in private even as they participate in public justice work.
We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families...
We foster a queer‐affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking, or rather, the belief that all in the world are heterosexual (unless s/he or they disclose otherwise)[i]
*~*~*~*
In contradiction to Biblical teachings, the last statement is disturbing: “We foster a queer-affirming network.” Nowhere in the Bible does God promote a “queer” lifestyle.
The definition of “queer” in Merriam-Webster is
1. a: Worthless, counterfeit - queer money; b: Questionable, suspicious.
2. a: Differing in some odd way from what is usual or normal; b: (1): eccentric, unconventional (2): mildly insane; c: absorbed or interested to an extreme or unreasonable degree; d: Often disparaging + offensive. (1): SEXUALLY ATTRACTED TO MEMBERS OF THE SAME SEX
3. Not quite well
As I wrote above, I remember my first day of class in fifth grade when three black students were seated in an all-white classroom. I became good friends with one of the girls. She was a B+ student and a kind person.
However, at that time, my parents were not comfortable with me bringing her home with me. My mother’s comment was, “What would the neighbors say?” That was almost fifty years ago. Most people, including my mother, today, would think nothing of it. Things have changed despite the fact some want to stir up hatred and prejudice.
I ask the reader if you embrace the Black Lives Matter platform, what will God say to you? If you kneel for George Floyd or anyone but Jesus Christ, what are you saying about your faith in God?
My mother has long since admitted her response was racist, and she is no longer like that. Most people aren’t. Just because a few rotten apples are racist should not taint the rest of us who are white, hard-working, pro-Trump supporters. I don’t know of anyone personally who has a predisposition to dislike anyone who isn’t white. However, we still need to talk about our differences in a constructive way.
One afternoon at a writer's conference, I went over to sit across the table from a black author whom I respected. I told her I wanted to talk about racial relations and get her thoughts. When I told her that I didn’t see color, she said that it was a racist comment—that I should see black because black is beautiful. Her response was not what I expected.
I have a daughter who comes from another continent who looks nothing like me and is not Caucasian. I don’t see her skin color. I don’t see her physical differences. I see my daughter. Why should I consciously try to see her as anything else? I disagree with my black author friend’s observation, but I respect what she said. I’m learning and listening. That’s the first step toward reconciliation.
In the twenty-plus years since I adopted my daughter, I have never heard a racist comment about my family. People have asked if we go together. But considering my daughter was born in Asia and I’m about as white as they come, it’s a legitimate question.
Perhaps my author friend was right; I should see black. However, when you live in a diverse community (my community is more diverse than hers as she lives in another city), everyone blends in. The first thing I notice when I look at someone is not their skin color. I wonder if they are a Christian. I look at them as someone I might like to know better or as my sister or brother in Christ.
I don’t believe the Black Lives Matter Movement is based on racial reconciliation as they want us to believe. Demonic forces in high places are at work, stirring up the #BLM Movement (and Antifa) to cause strife, unrest, and hate.
Tearing down statues of iconic figures from the past—people like Winston Churchill of England, Matahma Ghandi of India, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and other American heroes—does nothing to help the more significant cause of promoting reconciliation and racial equality. Were these men perfect? No. But there was one man who was—Jesus Christ, and some now want to tear down statues depicting the only perfect human being who ever lived.
Jesus Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life. There is a song I love to sing, They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love, and the words go like this:
We are one in the Spirit.
We are one in the Lord.
We are one in the Spirit.
We are one in the Lord.
And we pray that all unity
May one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians
By our love.
I also want to point out one other important thing. Nowhere in the BLM platform is there any mention about abortion. The fact is they do nothing to condemn it. Like Stacey Abrams from Georgia, who served in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2017, many leaders are pro-choice advocates and promote the #BLM agenda, including abortion. The Planned Parenthood Oregon website touts their commitment to Black Lives Matter in the article, “Our Commitment to Black Lives Matter.”[ii]
If they cared about black lives, shouldn’t they care about black babies? Do the lives of black babies not matter? The hypocrisy is sickening. How can #BLM advocates march (even peacefully) when they condone the killing of their black children?
According to the Arizona Capitol Times, in an article entitled: “Abortion: The Overlooked Tragedy for Black Americans,” the leading cause of death in the African-American population is abortion. Don’t Baby Black Lives Matter also? If so, then why do they promote abortion? The article states: “At a ratio of 474 abortions per 1,000 live births, black women have the highest ratio of any group in the country”[iii]
We will never have good racial relations in this country as long as African-Americans play the “race” card and continue to see themselves as victims. If they are victims, oftentimes, it’s because of their own choices. If they remain victims, I have to ask why. In America, out of all places, citizens have the freedom of upward mobility. That’s what makes America great. Travel to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa—you won’t find a single country where people have as much opportunity to improve themselves and their families as you do in the United States.
Most people don’t realize the history of slavery. Slavery was an acceptable form of bondage that dates back thousands of years, even to before the time of Christ. Of the millions of Africans sold into slavery around the world, only 5% came to America, and they were the fortunate ones. Muslim countries relied heavily on slaves and castrated them and turned them into eunuchs. When the black slaves outlived their usefulness, they killed them.
The five percent that came to America married, had children, and formed their own culture. Many left paganism to embrace the true God, Jesus Christ, and became believers themselves. They wrote spirit-filled hymns and were allowed the freedom of worship.
Our country fought to end slavery in the Civil War. When that happened, we set the standard for everyone else to follow. Many countries did end slavery in the years and decades following. Our abolishment of slavery set a new worldwide standard. The last nation to outlaw slavery was Mauritania in 1981.
Again, as long as African-Americans see themselves as victims, they will never achieve their full potential as a distinct race with God-given creativity and potential. However, much progress has been made. Let’s not condemn the excellent work that has been done because a small number of people in the United States want to create division and chaos. We’ve even had a black man to serve two terms as President of the United States. That means there is no level of achievement that an African-American cannot attain. When you think about it, considering their humble beginnings in America, that’s pretty remarkable.
Hundreds of black athletes in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and other high-profile sports make millions of dollars each year. I doubt that any of them would have achieved their dream if they had not worked hard. Playing the “victim” card wouldn’t have earned them a spot on any team roster. Hard work, talent, and perseverance prevailed. There was a time when it didn’t, but that’s not true anymore. Team owners want the best athletes, and they will pay to get the most bang for their buck.
I can’t think of any profession in today’s world where African Americans have not contributed their gifts and talents in pursuit of the American dream. It’s there for the taking; my biggest fear is that our young people will settle for mediocrity rather than work hard to rise to the top. Socialism threatens to destroy the capitalist system, which is what has made America great. Those people who tout socialist virtues might not like it so much when Uncle Sam takes 90 percent of their paycheck. That’s socialism. Socialism is legalized theft through taxes.
Like so many others, I had a DNA test to find out where my roots lie. I discovered I have African ancestors. One of my relatives on an ancestry website, who I share DNA links with, claims to be the first black postal worker in America.
The truth be told, we are all inter-related. We all go back to Noah and his descendants. There is beauty in diversity, and there is unity in Jesus Christ.
One day last week, when I returned home, I saw my African-American neighbor pulling my trash bins from the road and depositing them at my house. She didn’t have to do that. It was kindness.
I called her over and told her as I leaned out of the car window, “I don’t care what happens in the world. You will always be my friend and neighbor.” I ended the conversation by saying, “God looks at the heart, and you have a good heart.” I thought she might burst into tears.
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;” and, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27 NIV).
Who is your neighbor? It’s anyone in need. Just open your heart, and God will show you.
[i] “What We Believe,” Black Lives Matter,” https://blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe/
[ii] “Our Commitment to Black Lives Matter,” Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, June 1, 2020, https://www.ppaoregon.org/2020/06/01/our-commitment-black-lives-matter/
[iii] “Abortion: The Overlooked Tragedy for Black Americans,” Arizona Capitol Times, February 25, 2020, https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2020/02/25/abortion-the-overlooked-tragedy-for-black-americans/
