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Radio 4,3 mins

Rev Professor David Wilkinson – 01/06/2020

Thought for the Day

Available for over a year

Good morning. As we've been hearing, violence has erupted on the sixth night of protests following the death of George Floyd. Some 40 US cities saw demonstrations expressing deep anger over police killings of black Americans. The violence involved is rightly condemned but this should not obscure the cry for justice in this case, and a deeper cry for justice over racial inequality. American Catholic Bishops have commented that racism is not a thing of the past but a 'real and present danger' to be faced. To do this, the historian Ibram X Kendi, has argued that it is not enough not to be racist, but the need is to be an anti-racist. He suggests racism is not simply a set of beliefs but a set of practices which preserve and extend the privilege of those in power. He goes on to say that an anti-racist is therefore someone who confesses that racist ideas have been cultivated within them while also being active in changing the power structures which support the status quo. The disruption of the status quo is at the heart of yesterday's major Christian festival of Pentecost. While some Christians see it as a nice little birthday party for the church, the gift of the Spirit to the disciples in the biblical record is accompanied by a violent wind and fire. These are not symbols of comfort and warmth but that the power and presence of God was challenging and energising. And there was another sign - that people from every nation gathered in Jerusalem heard the disciples speak of the risen Jesus in their own native language. This was God passionate about valuing each culture and language but breaking the barriers which separate people - and inviting the church to be partners in this. The biblical scholar Walter Bruggemann suggests that Pentecost turns upside down the lives of 'privileged people' who have become comfortable in treating people differently because of their race or gender. As I hear the accounts of George Floyd, Pentecost takes me further than just feelings of anger, horror and despair. How can I be anti-racist here in my role as university teacher and church leader - not least during the complex questions of the easing of lockdown. The Christian artist, Ronnie Lillard who knew George Floyd, as someone who worked for peace and commended faith to young people, commented that Floyd would always say that God trumps street culture. In Pentecost, I am challenged to partner with God to trump all hatred, violence and inequality.

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