– Karen Vivano, Harbor District Anti-Racism Team
I have a good friend who has been a member of our UMC for many years. She has served on many committees and been a faithful giver. She reaches out to members of her community and Brunswick County at large. She is well educated. She’s retired now, but had a career working for the federal government in a managerial position. She owns a home in a nice subdivision in Carolina Shores where home prices are in the high $200Ks to the high $300Ks. Although she is a widow, she is financially secure. She is a law abiding citizen and very amicable towards everyone.
Recently she took a long vacation abroad, and upon her return announced that she is leaving the United States to go live elsewhere.
She is black.
She said that she feels afraid for her safety with all the gun violence because guns are so available. She is sick of racial injustice and inequity. She is tired of being pulled over in her car because she is black. People who live near her have expressed disdain for her living in the subdivision, even though she has a beautiful home and a well-kept yard. There have even been members of our Sunset Beach church who have insulted her.
How can this be happening in Christian Brunswick County? Can’t we accept and respect someone regardless of the color of her skin? In I John, chapter 4 we read, “Those who say ‘I love God’ and hate their brothers or sisters are liars; for those who do not love their brother or sister whom they have seen cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God MUST love their brothers and sisters also.” (emphasis mine.) We need to be reaching out our hands instead of crossing our arms! Are we white people afraid? Of what? Do we not care about the well-being of a huge group of Americans? Black trauma is cumulative through generations. As Christians, we are called to be reconcilers, ambassadors of Christ. We can be part of graceful, honest conversations to allow people of color to give voice to their hurts, hidden fears and mounting tensions. We can be the bridge to the racial divide.
Think we don’t have a problem with racism in the churches in the Harbor District of the NCCUMC? We do, and we each need to be part of the solution.
Karen Viviano, Seaside UMC, Sunset Beach