B.J. FLETCHER: Racism is taught, not inherited

Not too long ago, one of my pastor friends was approached by a young boy, about 6 years old, and was asked when the pastor with the mustache was going to come back and preach again.

The pastor racked his brain on who this youngster was talking about. “Mustache?” the pastor thought. I don’t recall anyone visiting our church who spoke that had a mustache. It bothered the pastor, and he told the kid he would get an answer to him soon.

By going back over the tapes of previous sermons, the pastor soon discovered who the young man was referring to. It was a young African American pastor who had been a guest speaker at the church well over a year before.

And that’s when the pastor had to face a reality that didn’t set well with him. If the child had said, by today’s terms, “When is the black pastor coming back to preach again? the pastor would have automatically knew who he was asking for.

This incident alone offers proof that racism is taught. Not one person is born with a spot in their heart to hate, to judge, to turn their backs on their neighbor … or school friend or family member … that has different views than they might have. We are all being brainwashed into whatever our thoughts are.

Some have good, God-loving thoughts; some have good clean thoughts simply by staying in their own lane and finding out for themselves the truth about people. Unfortunately many are being brainwashed by hateful racist pastors, teachers, family members, friends, government officials, etc.

It took only 19 people to try and destroy America in 2001, and for a few short months we were all Americans. I can’t recall one incident in which a citizen that was pulled from the rubble of the World Trade Center thanked the black, white or brown man for saving them or their loved ones.

Racism has blinded the America that we used to all know and love. We used to watch all the Christian persecutions and starvations and truly get sick or saddened over how other countries were. Well, you don’t have to turn on the news now to experience hatred. And it’s hate due to one’s skin color or beliefs.

We’d best stop all of this. While we are hating on each other, laughing at someone losing their business or talking about stuff we know nothing about, we’d be better off to step back and start looking at the America you call home. And guess what … you won’t find it.

You’re too busy cheering on all the ones that have the time and money to destroy us.

Quit being the puppet of the rich, powerful and famous. Start becoming your own person. There are not many places left in the good old USA that you can go visit without feeling a little scared.

Going to New York, California, Texas, Atlanta or anywhere where big crowds are gathering anytime soon? Watch your back, watch your surroundings. Don’t have a shirt or bumper sticker cheering on your Christian beliefs or you favorite ball team or a politician you support. Your head could get kicked in.

And, oh yeah, if you see a cop being kicked down, don’t just video the incident. Do something about it.

Unless you are one of the many that’s filled with racism and hatred, you have a choice. Be like the 6-year-old innocent child that sees reality or the pastor that sees color.

Think about it. It’s your life that’s going to go in the direction you chose. You make your mind up; don’t let others tell you what’s right or wrong. See for yourself the injustice that you could just be a part of or pray for the one that speaks the truth. May God guide us all.