Over the past few years, there has been an escalation of hate crimes and racially motivated murders on the news. The latest uprising occurred in Ferguson, USA, where the African American community felt that a young teen was killed unjustly because he was black. The incident created weeks of mass protests and unrest among the communities.

Even though there has been some resolution to the unfortunate incident, the racial tension among the whites and the blacks are strong. There is suppressed anger and limited tolerance between both groups. They are like a time bomb waiting for another opportunity to erupt. One wonders if all the works of those great civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr were in vain.

Martin Luther King had a dream where he saw people regardless of color or social standing united in the spiritual realm. But, can this dream be manifested in the physical realm? A society of people who barely tolerate each other does not define unity in my opinion. So how can we change our present situation?

Prejudice, racial discrimination, anger, hate, and segregation are associated with pride and deception. Hence, these are the two culprits that we need to destroy to achieve unity among all people.

These two evil spirits along with all its followers can be eradicated by humility, truth, light and love.

 This solution appears simple. But, I dare you to try it.

In honor of black history month, February 2015, I want to dedicate the following poem to anyone who has felt belittled and rejected as a result of racial, social and religious discrimination.

If have been the victim of bullying or you are battling low self-esteem and insecurity, the following poem is for you.

The Lord has a special place in His heart for you, and He wants you to empower yourself with knowledge and wisdom so that you can learn to:

Love Yourself!

How can I say I love my friend and my brethren

When I despised my origin?

How can I say I love God – worship, and adore Him;

But I hate myself?

I hate my color!

I hate my face! My hair!

I just hate my life!

So I bleached, I permed,

I reconstructed to please you

So that you can love

And accept me.

It matters not that my skin hurts;

And my face itched and peeled.

It is okay if my hair become scorched and

My scalp burnt from the acid that eroded

The natural beauty of my birthright.

After all, ‘no pain no gain!’

I hate myself!

But I am aghast and offended

When you turn up your nose

At me, because I am black.

I am outraged when you call me names

Originated in the bondage of slavery.

It is unacceptable for you to belittled me

But it is okay for me to reject myself

Because I am black.

Oh, hypocrite!

First, remove the beam of slavery from your eyes

So that you can see clearly the dust of deception in

Your brother’s eyes.

Love yourself!

Your nose is broad;

Your lips are full;

Your hair is thick and wooly;

Your skin is black.

So what?

You were created in the image

And the likeness of God!

Therefore, God’s nose is broad,

His lips are full.

His head and hair are white like wool,

As white as snow;

His eyes are like blazing fire;

And His feet are like polished brass –

Burnt in the fire.

God looks like you and me.

He has not changed.

So do not change to become the opposite of God.

Accept yourself!

Be yourself!

Love yourself!

For loving yourself means

You are in love with your Creator.

Beverley Wright ( August 14, 2014)

References: Revelation 1:12-16