400 Years of Racial Injustice is Enough: One Race Movement

It is disturbing to many conservatives that after so much time and money has been spent to bring about racial reconciliation in the United States there is possibly more racial disharmony between whites and blacks today than at any other time in the country except for the aftermath of the Civil War and rise of the Southern Democrats’ quasi-paramilitary, the notorious and bloodthirsty Ku Klux Klan. While the Klan is viewed by most as a ridiculous group of uneducated buffoons, the Democrats have used it to smear Republicans.

And, of course, the news media refuses to remind Americans that Democrats formed the Klan, hung innocent blacks and created Jim Crowe laws (Jim Crow laws were state and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States. Enacted by white Democrat-dominated state legislatures after the Reconstruction period, in the late 19th century, the laws were enforced until 1965).

Yet the same political party that gave us lynching of blacks and burning crosses is now stoking up the very people they oppressed in the past. One need only listen to Democrats such as Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Maxine Waters, Sen. Cory Booker and other rabble-rousing politicians to understand their goal of maintaining the Democratic Party’s plantation of non-white voters: Keep blacks and whites in a state of perpetual distrust and resentment.

On Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, over 20,000 people came to Stone Mountain, the largest Confederate monument in the country, as part of the OneRace movement for racial healing and unity. Author Jack Alexander spoke to the crowd and cited two previous instances in the Scripture, the Israelites leaving Egypt and the 400 silent years at the end of the Old Testament, when “400 years of suffering and silence was enough” and then God did something new.

August 25, 2019 is the 400th year anniversary of when the first slaves reached Jamestown, Virginia in 1619. Alexander and the OneRace movement are planning a Day of Lament on that day next year to recognize the injustices and oppression that have plagued North America for so long. Alexander said, “Congress has passed, and President [Donald Trump] has signed, HR Bill 1242 to recognize and celebrate the contributions African Americans have made to this country. While this civic recognition is important, we want to recognize the spiritual responsibility that the Church has to lament, repent and pursue healing, unity and justice. Ezekiel 9 says to lament and grieve over injustices and abominations and what has happened in the last 400 years has certainly met that threshold.”

“Today, the Church has an amazing opportunity to lead in racial healing and unity,” Alexander continued. “According to Barna Group research, 50% of Christians in America do not know what to do while 25% want to pursue a combination of lamenting, repenting and seeking restitution for the sins of the past. This area has been so politicized-we need to understand the past and lament it while moving forward against systemic injustices that still exist.”

Alexander’s book, “The God Impulse: The Power of Mercy in an Unmerciful World” reexamines scripture, discovering a pattern of God’s love towards us; one that offers mercy and healing at every turn. As pastor Tim Keller says in his endorsement, The God Impulse “reminds us that true healing, justice, and reconciliation begin with the impulse of mercy toward our neighbors and enemies.”

The full findings of the Barna-Alexander study on Mercy and Forgiveness will be released in March 2019 in a new book, providing a fuller picture of Christians’ and Protestant pastors’ perspectives and practices in these areas. Alexander’s book works to reconcile areas of brokenness in our world and relationships and shows us the power and rewards of mercy, so we can learn and practice God’s pattern of love – to “see, go, do and endure.”

Businessman, entrepreneur, theology student, and author, Jack Alexander, is the chairman of The Reimagine Group with a wealth of experience in a wide variety of businesses. A previous recipient of an Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year Award, he is a regular speaker, coach, and advisor. He and his wife, Lisa, live in Atlanta. They have three grown sons and five grandchildren. www.thegodimpulse.com/ – www.thereimaginegroup.com/