I am Prejudice
Surprised? You should not be as you also are likely prejudice. Prejudice is a combination of “Pre” and “Judge” (Latin, who’d of guessed?) and means to pre-judge before knowing the facts. “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is proverb often ignored as the title and cover-art are the basis of one ‘pre-judging’ a book. One’s vehicle appearance is another example of a ‘cover’ designed for a desired ‘pre-judgement’ of character or of success.
In my case, I am highly prejudice in the food I eat. This was reinforced one day in a cafeteria where I picked up a ‘pickle’, chomped down on it, and discovered jalapeno peppers. I have also learned that ‘spicy’ is subjective. “The red sauce is hotter than the green sauce.” says my friend who was treating me to an Indian restaurant. But the green sauce was also very spicy. Frankly, just the sound of cow’s tongue, monkey brains, or Calamari keeps my food prejudices firmly entrenched.
Then there is my prejudice towards people. My dad used to point out men with long hair and scorned them as ‘hippies.’ This ‘pre-judging’ of a person’s worth or ability is the more common prejudice. The movie “Redtails” about the Tuskegee Airman starts with this quote from a 1925 Army War College Study:
Blacks are mentally inferior, by nature subservient, and cowards in the face of danger. They are therefore unfit for combat.
I expect that the Army War College had not pre-judged the negros as it was a study after all. They must have had some basis for their conclusion, right? But as history has demonstrated, this derogatory prejudice is false, a mere fairytale.
Regrettably, derogatory prejudice is very much alive in today’s American ‘melting pot’ of nationalities, races, and ideas. Republicans are the “Deplorables.” Concerned parents are labeled as ‘domestic terrorists.’ The ‘woke’ despise the ‘MAGA’ and the ‘Free World’ wars with ‘Communism.’
In 1980, I would lay on my dorm bed contemplating whether I would prefer to be at ground zero or at a distance in a Russian nuclear attack. To be vaporized or endure radiation poisoning.
About 20 years later I found myself seated at a conference table in the City Hall of Sevastopal, Crimea. (Sevastopal is the southern home port for the Russian Navy.) As each person introduced themselves, I discovered that I was surrounded by former USSR Navy Captains who were now city leaders. One man introduced himself as a former anti-aircraft commander for the North Vietnamese Army. He commented that back then, he was looking to shoot down American aircraft. Sitting there, I thought, “What am I doing? I’m surrounded by my enemies.” My prejudices toward the Russian ‘communists’ were being challenged.
Amongst all this prejudice against one another, we forget we are each a person. Like Steven D. Webber, they also have a name and a family. They have hopes and maybe a dream or two. That adversary is a person with sorrows and regrets, with angst, and with worries. Surprisingly, my adversary and I have more in common than I expected. It just takes getting beyond their ‘book cover’ to discover the person.
Another shared experience is that we each have offended our Creator. Regardless of the group with which you identify, our Creator has redeemed many of one’s adversaries at great cost to Himself. Black, white, Republican, Democrat, Woke, MAGA, Free-Market or Russian – God loves the person regardless of their social identity. Our Creator does not ‘pre-judge,’ He has no need. “But you, Lord Almighty, who judge righteously and test the heart and mind.” (Jeremiah 11:20 NIV) The Lord Almighty knows all and rightly judges one’s heart and mind.
For a person to ‘Pre-Judge’ another’s motive or intent is not only arrogant, but is also a major hindrance in getting right with another. As those who follow Jesus, we must recognize and set aside our prejudices and love one another, forgive one another, and pray for one another.
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Romans 12:14
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:19-21 NLT
Yes, I am prejudice. But by Father’s Spirit, I endeavor to put my ‘Pre-Judgement’ aside and relate to others as fellow people who need to see Father’s love in action. I now have several friends who were once enemies. As to food, those prejudices are staying.
