The question is not if President Trump is a racist.
That question was settled long ago.
The receipts are in hand.
Collin Packer
I was 5 years old in 1989 when he spent $85,000 on full-page ads calling for the execution of the Central Park 5, who were innocent of the crimes he wrongly accused them of.
Almost 15 years ago to the day, President Trump began the Birther movement to prove President Barack Obama was not a legitimate citizen and president.
He’s been at this project for most of my life.
His racist comments about immigrants, Muslims, Black people and “shithole countries” reveal what is in his heart.
Last week’s racist video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes was just another data point supporting a position that needs no more proof.
All that is settled. It’s not up for debate. The proof is everywhere.
The real question is how white Christians can possibly choose to ignore the most obvious and simple explanation. Your baptism included no requirement to defend the emperor and his propaganda. The bread and wine Christians consume at the Table never includes a commitment to ignore the emperor’s racist and dehumanizing videos and memes to pledge our allegiance to him. That never was part of the deal.
“We could choose to believe that racism from the social media feed of our president is disqualifying.”
I will not allow myself to be shocked by President Trump’s racism. I get it. I believe him.
But I never will allow myself to normalize the racism of Christians. It doesn’t have to be this way. We could choose to believe that racism from the social media feed of our president is disqualifying. That shouldn’t be a controversial position for baptized believers who believe every human being is created in the image of God.
But for 81% of white Evangelicals, it is not disqualifying.
I never will normalize that. I will spend the rest of my life doing all I can to maintain my belief in God despite that reality.
It is never too late to change your mind.
It is never too late to see the image of God in every human being.
It is never too late to see the glory and honor of every nation and culture.
Repent and believe the good news. The kingdom Jesus preached, welcomed and embodied is far better than the false idols and emperors who demand our allegiance and sow chaos.
Collin Packer lives in Allen, Texas, and serves as director of strategic development at Let’s Talk Race Ministries. He is an ordained minister in the Churches of Christ.