Jesus loves the little children

Race symposium in Greenville. We attended sort of by invitation. It was a meeting of community, mostly leaders. Small towns offer this very unique experience in that you can be in the same room with the mayor and city councilmen and nobody bats an eye. You don't have to be in a select group to be a part of an event where they are. I like that.
The discussion obviously was "race" or more importantly "racism". Discussion included what is the definition of, is it systemic, personal, is it better or worse today than say 50 years ago. It was good. A good start as one of the women stated. Greenville is not the only place where discussions like these take place I am sure but since we are here I am impressed that this small town is seeking to look different from their past. There is at least a look of sensitivity to a problem no matter how open or hidden, that needs to fixed. I believe there is racism but I also believe the bible is the infallible Word of G-d and therefore since race is NOT mentioned in the bible, the point is moot(my belief). We live in this world though, so I understand why people feel the need to talk about this subject in the terms they do.
I came away thinking about one thing in particular. While I often think of "racism" in terms of "black" folks I realize that I often don't consider some people groups that may be dealing with this issue. I especially don't think about say some one of Asian descent because I have my own prejudices about them being educated and finding community among there own. Then a funny thing happened. I was reading a Facebook post where some fellow homeschoolers were talking about a group of people in "our community". We will call them for "racism" sake the "skirtsonlies". There was a flippant joke made about the women that walk around in their homeschool mom uniform. As the jokes poured in about the long french braid down the back and the tennis shoes and the denim jumpers it dawned on me we as believers have not arrived! While I pray that no evil intent was meant and that it was "all in fun" what I do know is the conversations I have had with other homeschoolers who assume I am one of "them" and feel comfortable to talk to me about their opinion of the "skirtsonlies". While I will not succumb to a title of any kind I would probably put myself more on "their"(the skirtsonlies) side, I thought it extremely insensitive for the discussion to be happening so much in the open because there is a large homeschool group in our small town and anyone could have read that.
I guess I say this all to say although "racism" in many forms is much better than it was, we as sinful human beings will always struggle to see people through the lens of WHO they belong to. All of us belong to one loving, gracious, and merciful Father. Your skin color, your culture, your hair type, your height, where you live, what you do, how much education you have, should not be a badge of dishonor. If I have convictions that you don't I shouldn't have to feel bad about what I believe my Father is saying to ME. Instead we should be able to walk with our heads held high knowing that the Father has created me like me and you like you. I wear skirts alot now; my persoanl conviction. Those "skirtsonlies" are my people and as much as the people who have piercing and spikey hair. If you are His you are mine!