By Bobby S. Sena, North American Mission Board


The Definition of Prejudice
The dictionary says that prejudice is an opinion formed without taking time and care to judge fairly. It also says that prejudice is an opinion, an attitude, or tendency formed unfairly or unjustly.

I want to add that prejudice is a demon that is not contained to the secular world, but has penetrated the lives of Christian individuals, families, churches, and all levels of the Christian structure. We study "Experiencing God," "The Mind of Christ," and "Spiritual Awakening." We declare that we are Spirit-filled, yet prejudice and other members of this family (racism, hatred, bigotry, etc) continue to find their residence in many of our lives. 

Prejudice at an Early Age
I had to confront prejudice at a very young age. The Hispanic pride my parents untiringly taught me was not the perception and attitude of the predominant culture in New Mexico, where I grew up. Hispanics were considered second-class citizens, trash, and the samaritans of the area. 

The Different Ways Prejudice Expressed Itself in My Life
Prejudice permeated all levels of my life in that environment. When I went to school, I spoke Spanish and ate our traditional foods during the lunch period. I can still hear the offensive laughter of the white kids as they talked about the trash I took for lunch. Yet, now those very same people pay high prices for that same food in restaurants. I still remember the embarrassment and anger that swelled within me as I stood in the hall outside the classroom for having spoken in my native tongue. The words, "You are in America now; speak English," still causes me to react. The problem with that statement is that I am a fourth generation Hispanic born in the United States and a second generation Christian.  When I received my call to ministry, I went to my high school counselor and requested she send out my grades to the colleges in the area, because I wanted to prepare myself for the ministry. She responded, "No college will accept a dumb Mexican to be a part of their student body."  Her answer hurt me, but what crushed me was that I knew she was a member of one our churches in town. 

Many of the pastors of the churches who sponsored my church would describe me as their "Mezcan pastor" and rub my hair as they presented me to others.  Many times these same leaders would say to me, "Bob, you are different. You aren't like the rest of the Mezcans." I was not allowed to go into the same barber shops and or eat in the same places as others. My new bride and I were told as we sat at a Five and Ten Soda Fountain that they didn't serve Mexicans. 

The Impact On My Life
The prejudice I experienced tore away at my self-worth. I remember standing in front of the mirror and scrubbing my face raw with a wash cloth, trying to lighten the color of my skin, with tears running down my cheeks because I wanted to be a part of the predominant culture! 

The years of experiencing prejudice gave birth to, and fostered, a deep hatred toward white people.  I became cynical, suspicious, and distrusting. Despite the blessings the Father had given me, I wasn't happy. I was doing exactly what the Lord had called me to do--evangelism and church planting--but I wasn't happy and fulfilled as a Christian. I had a beautiful, dedicated, and supportive wife and four children, yet something was blocking my relationship with the Father, my wife, and family!


The Transformation of My Life
An anglo, who was a Southern Baptist deacon at the First Baptist Church and high school football coach in Roswell, New Mexico, was one of the many instruments the heavenly Father utilized to restore my self-image, changing my perspective of non-Hispanics. Coach Laird helped me realize not all non-Hispanics are racist and/or prejudice, that Christians are different, and that it is all right to be Mexican. 

It was during my Doctor of Ministries spiritual formation class that I became aquainted with the discipline of a silent retreat. Five years ago, prior to a missions conference at Glorieta, New Mexico, I decided it was time to stop and listen to God. This 6:00 am to 12:00 noon period of prayer and fasting turned into a time of spiritual reflection, confession, and surrender.  God spoke to me about my broken relationship with one my brothers, who is of another spiritual persuasion; the need to give my wife and family priority time, and the negative feelings I harbored in my heart as a result of the racist environment I endured.  I had never sincerely dealt with these issues. 

It is because of Coach Laird's impact on my life that I no longer harbor bitterness, hatred, and anger.  That doesn't mean I no longer feel righteous indignation and the need to speak out when I see injustice, racism, prejudice, and bigotry.  I do, but my motives, attitude, and approach are different.  I've seized the opportunity to reverse prejudice!


Keeping Your Spiritual Antenna Raised

Ask yourself, "Have I been guilty of practicing the sin of prejudice?"  Remember that the dictionary says prejudice is an opinion formed without taking time and care to judge fairly.   Continue asking yourself, "Do I form negative opinons about people, who don't talk like me, eat like or look like me, without attempting to know or understand them? What can I do to combat the sin of prejudice in my life?"


SOME GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Deal with the question of demandingness.
1. That everyone must be like us.
The first church conference in Acts 15, showed the Jerusalem church was dealing with this problem.  There were some in the group who were willing to welcome others into the kingdom, as long as they became Jews.

2. That things must be done "our" way.
One of the most significant barriers we have in relating to God and others is our attitude of demanding things be done "our" way.  Adam and Eve showed this demanding attitude, rather than obeying God.

Deal with the question of guilt in race and ethnic relationships.

1. Accept the fact that all have made mistakes in relating to others of different cultures and races.  Even those with good intentions, have made mistakes.
2. Accept that we still live with the consequences of those mistakes today. 
3. Move on.  Rehashing these issues will not make things better.

Ask God to help you be open and caring with others.
Remember the promise of Philippians 3:13, "But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead."

Seek opportunities to be a friend.
We must look for ways to connect with others at a friendship level.  Once a friendship has been established, you will find yourself being introduced to others.

Learn to celebrate your own culture.
Every culture has things we can appreciate and celebrate.  You cannot love others until you love yourself.  Celebrate without idolizing your culture.

Learn to celebrate other cultures.
1. Look for the good in each culture.  Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The Lord God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you.  He will quiet you with his love.  He will rejoice over you with singing."
2. Be as reconciliatory as you can when you find things you appreciate.

Understand the importance of being process-oriented and task-oriented.

Many minority cultures tend to be process-oriented.  They place emphasis on the process of getting somewhere than in the act.
1. They tend to be very focused on the goal or task at hand.
2. They tend to get bogged down in the details of the project.
3. They tend to ask a lot of questions about consequences and options.

The majority of people in the U.S. tend to be task-oriented.
1. They place a bigger value on getting somewhere than in how to get there.
2. They tend to be very focused on the goal or task at hand.
3. They accomplish a lot.
4. They tend to ask a lot of questions about how to get the job done and how to do it better.


Be willing to let minority persons fail.
Sometimes we remember past failures too long. 
Sometimes we let the failures of the past keep us from trusting others.

Be able to differentiate between race and culture.
Race: physical attributes We seek to eliminate the structures that mistreat people because of their race.
Culture: the sum of customs of a given group of people.We seek to leave intact the patterns of relating (customs) of the given ethnic groups, when the process of Americanization takes place, but we do not force it upon people.

Help to remove the barrier of negative effects of racism and prejudice.
Prejudice and racism are learned behaviors that are often the result of ignorance.
Do not deny the racial/cultural differences.
Racial/cultural questions and concerns need to be addressed openly in a warm, friendly manner.
Learn to develop a philosophy of different but equal.

Help to remove the barrier of racial/ethnic myths and negative stereotypes.
It is true that each cultural group has some given traits that unites them. Make a conscious effort to approach each minority person as an individual. Avoid the myth that all minorities are uneducated and poor. Do not assume that an ethnic person was born outside of the U.S. and does not speak English.

Help to remove the barrier of fear.
Fear that others will take advantage of us. 
Fear that we will lose power and control.