The Question: Which "ism" is more entrenched in America, sexism or racism? Which should religion address?
Both racism and sexism continue to be present in the United States, though in different ways.
To begin with sexism, sexist language is more culturally acceptable than racist language. An example from the presidential primary campaign: a man (I believe in South Carolina) asked John McCain, “What are we going to do about 'the bitch’?” As I recall, McCain did not challenge his use of the word. If a questioner had used the “n-word,” it is hard to imagine that any candidate would have let that go unchallenged. In New Hampshire, Hillary Clinton was heckled, “Iron my shirts.” Again, it is hard to imagine a racial stereotype being used in public in a similar way.
There are still many conservative Protestant churches whose official position teaches the subordination of women to men and who refuse to ordain women. Though it is not clear that Catholics teach the subordination of women, they also do not ordain women. I know of no church body today whose official position teaches the subordination of people of color or that refuses to ordain people of color.
Yet I think racism is more deeply embedded than sexism in our culture. Men are not afraid of women, but many white people are afraid of black men. Economic statistics indicate that people of color as a group are more discriminated against than women. Our prison population is disproportionately made up of African-Americans – which surely indicates that many, especially young black men, feel that there is little opportunity for them and become angry, desperate and sometimes violent. Inner city schools in many places, largely attended by people of color, are often woefully inadequate. Though racism is more subtle than it was fifty years ago, its legacy continues to be powerful and oppressive.
Christians should be concerned about both racism and sexism - within their own congregations and denominations, and also, and importantly, in the larger society. God’s passion is the well-being of the world, not just the well-being of Christians. And so Christians should support social and political policies that combat both racism and sexism.
Please e-mail On Faith if you'd like to receive an email notification when On Faith sends out a new question.
Email Me | Del.icio.us | Digg | Facebook
