Unacknowledged, even unrecognized, racism is still racism — and it is fueling a frenzy within American life to advance the age-old, sin-drenched idea that social power belongs exclusively to white men.
This public resurgence of racial superiority is highly fueled by white Americans who make the strongest claims of being Christian while giving little regard to how Jesus called his followers to live.
Racism serves its same ugly purpose whether overt or poorly masked by claims of other intents.
Denials come quickly and defensively when confronted with this reality. Yet, “I’m not racist, but…” is more confessional than rebuttal.
Good-hearted racism is an oxymoron.
Less damage is being done today by white robed Klansmen and make-believe Confederates than by supposed “good Christian people” acquiescing to politicians and preachers telling them their lifestyle, in fact existence, is threatened by the equality of those unlike them.
Many, honest to God, do not consider themselves to be racist — even as they advance a racist political machine that does not hide its intent.
As evidence they cite their friendship (meaning friendliness) with “Mike, the Black guy at work.” Or the nice Latina who serves them lunch.
Yet they are oblivious — or in chosen denial — to the social realities faced by Mike and other persons of color.
Another weak but familiar defense is to recall one’s own simple upbringing — claiming no privilege.
As a teen, washing dishes for $1.60 an hour was my route to freedom which came in the form of a 1969 Pontiac LeMans with fender damage.
My parents offered nothing but good luck. Well, and a place to live and eat, and some hand-me-down clothes, all which came in quite handy.
But my mother’s cousin was a banker in downtown Chattanooga. I approached him with no down payment, collateral or co-signer. Just the promise I could handle the $69 monthly payments.
Had one of my African-American friends with the same job and lack of resources appealed for such a loan, he would likely have been denied. Privilege comes from more than generational wealth.
The demeaning and dehumanization of Latinos today mirrors much of language used previously against Native Americans, African Americans and various ethnic groups.
True to form, white American evangelicals have largely failed to use available prophetic and political power to protect these children of God facing abuse by a government that once claimed liberty and justice for all.
When families are ripped apart and employees are snatched from their workplaces and stacked like cordwood in unsanitary warehouses, the defense of such cruelty is something about being lawful.
Yet when the thugs that abuse them — and the government leaders who empowered such abuse —break the laws, the concern over lawlessness is no longer a concern.
But we’re not racist, are we?
Yes. Yes, we are a nation currently driven by a desire for white racial dominance.
If only Jesus could get the same obedience from Americanized Christians today as power-hungry political leaders who stir blind loyalty through fear.
But that’s simply more of Jesus than most people — especially professing Christians — can stand. John D. Pierce is director of the Jesus Worldview Initiative (jesusworldview.org), part of Belmont University’s Rev. Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership. Join us on October 12-13, 2026 for the second Jesus Worldview Conference in Nashville.