The last few years I have recognized more and more that, as a Christian, my unintentional engagement with systems, institutions, power structures and wealth dynamics that have historically and currently oppress others is sinful.
There are two categories of sin, omission and commission.
Sins of commission - Doing things that you shouldn’t be doing
Sins of omission - not doing things that you should be doing.
I feel like I’ve been taught my whole life that sinfulness centers around sins of commission, and through grace I hope that I am doing less and less of the things I know I shouldn’t be doing.
But no one ever really talked to me about the sinfulness associated with omission, it seemed more...unintentional. And because it was more unintentional it seemed less... sinful.
It was easier for me to think that my recognition of this systemic oppression would render me blameless, but I don’t believe that to be the case which is why I’m honestly not sure how much voicing this newfound recognition is in seeking transformational justice. I understand the need for supporting the marginalized with my voice, but it seems empty to simply state to those being marginalized...”oh yeah I finally believe you, you were right this whole time.” It actually astounds me that people have developed entire platforms for ministry and are praised for uncovering and recognizing systemic oppression when our brothers and sisters in Christ who are actually BEING marginalized are still being ignored, despite voicing these ugly realities for years and years and years.
I have to start by saying the most important perspective for this writing is contained in my statement “as a Christian”. The part that grieves me the most about injustice is the church’s response or lack thereof and the division that lies within.
Maybe this is normal, maybe its wrong, and maybe it’s just odd but I firmly believe that it is necessary to not just recognize sin but to sit in its consequences and reflect on it. Without sitting in the weight of my sin, I don’t seem to appreciate the grace waiting on the other side of it. If I can’t feel the heaviness of my responsibility in systemic oppression, then what burden does the Lord’s grace lift? I can mentally say I’m a sinner, but do I believe it? Do I feel it? Have I sat in it? The more I allow myself to feel the weight, the more I’m able to recognize the gift of grace.
So with that in mind, one morning I landed on the following question.
“Every morning waking up as a white, male, living in North America, who am I oppressing, either intentionally or unintentionally?”
Thankfully the “intentionally oppressing” list was sparse. These sins of commission were not a part of my daily life and were what allowed me to feel blameless. I was not intentionally doing anything to hurt, oppress, marginalize, or vilify others.
The “unintentional oppression” list was a bit more nuanced and initially I struggled to admit certain daily realities. But these sins of omission surrounded me.Here were a few off the top.
My wife and I can apply for the same job, yet I will likely make more money than her despite having the same qualifications, simply because I’m a male. On average, women make 81% of what their male counterparts earn, despite all things being equal other than gender.
My black friends’ experiences are dramatically different than mine despite living in the same city, working the same jobs, and abiding by the same laws. The lifetime likelihood of me going to prison in the US is 1 in 17 yet for my black friends that number is 1 in 3. When I ask my friends who look different than me what their experience has been like growing up, I hear stories that look nothing like my story. I’ve never feared for my life when I’ve gotten pulled over by the police, I’ve never felt profiled and watched extra carefully when I go shopping, I’ve never felt scared to go jogging in my neighborhood or anyone’s neighborhood for that matter, I’ve never felt like I would have to work twice as hard to have the same opportunities as others that looked different than me, I’ve never had trouble finding books or movies that had positive characters that looked like me...and the list goes on.
The homeownership rate for Black American households is 40.6% compared to 73.1% for White Americans. The average net worth for Black American households is $17,000 compared to $171,000 for White American households.
A recent study has shown that the US has more than 400,000 modern day slaves working under forced labor conditions. This forced economic exploitation generates billions of dollars annually including $34b in construction, manufacturing, mining and utilities, $9b in agriculture, and $8b saved by private households for underpaying or not paying caretakers, nannies, landscapers, etc. 77% of victims in human trafficking in the United States are people of color, and with sex trafficking specifically, 99% are female and most start being trafficked between 12-14 years old.
Schools with 90 percent or more students of color spend $733 less per student per year than schools with 90 percent or more white students. Recently, only 57% of black students had access to a full range of math and science courses necessary for college readiness, compared to with 81% of Asian American students and 71% of white students. Some additional statistics: By age three, children of professionals have vocabularies that are nearly 50 percent greater than those of working class children, and twice as large as those of children whose families are on welfare. By the end of fourth grade, African American, Latino, and poor students of all races are two years behind behind their wealthier, predominantly white peers in reading and math. By eighth grade, they have slipped three years behind, and by twelfth grade, four years behind. African American students are three times more likely than white students to be placed in special education programs, and are half as likely to be in gifted programs in elementary and secondary schools.
I recognized ALL this injustice and yet I was doing nothing. I am the unintentional oppressor.
That’s just in my back yard. When I expanded it to think about our International brothers and sisters in Christ I feel like I was even more overwhelmed. As a first world nation - we are oppressing other nations (and their people) daily.
When I buy:
The factory working conditions at many of America’s most beloved brands are horrific. 100 hour work weeks for less than $1 per day in 90 degree heat and substandard buildings has lead to fires, sickness, stress, exhaustion and death. This is compounded by the amount of child labor that is also being exploited by many brands.
I am recognizing ALL this injustice and yet I am doing nothing. I am the unintentional oppressor.
Again, as a Christian, I firmly believe the recognition of these atrocities and lack of definitive action constitute sins of omission.
I am a follower of Christ and as I dwell on my sinfulness I am reminded of the gift of His grace. However, the unfortunate reality for many of us is that we’ve only be taught about a forgiving grace. The beauty of the Lord’s grace is that it is a transforming grace. It doesn’t forgive us and leave us where we were, it forgives us and transforms us to look more like Him. That’s why I love this verse from Micah, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
I think we all need to first recognize our role in the the injustice plaguing our world, but we can’t just stop there. As a Christian I am repenting, grieving and praying for how the Lord would use our family to bring about His justice and offer His transformative grace in the circumstances I find myself in daily. My grand plan for changing the world? Start listening, supporting and uplifting the voices that have been relegated to the sidelines for far too long. It doesn't look like me leading, it doesn’t even look like me co-leading...it looks like me submitting and supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering as a result of these sins of omission in my life.
If you’re in the same boat as me I’d encourage you to simply trust and believe the life experiences of friends that don’t look like you.
When I order something online - I usually look at the reviews. I listen to voices that have experienced the product I am interested in purchasing. I read the good, the bad and the ugly. I look at the pictures and sometimes download videos to learn more. One thing I’ve never done is asked for a recommendation from someone who has never tried the product. That would be pointless. I could careless if they’ve read the manuals and looked at the same videos and reviews I have, if they haven’t TRIED the product I don’t really care for their advice.
In the same vein, while I appreciate the tips, advice, theological insights, and action items from so many as it relates to systemic oppression, I think I’ll just listen to the people that are experiencing it first hand and take their lead.
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