It may surprise some that racial classifications, as we know them today, came about not long ago through scientific illustration. And, just like any other scientific data, the phenotypical classification of the peoples in itself amounts to little meaning, if any. However, these new classifications of race were taken by some to mean that some people are more human than others, or more capable, or more worthy. Whatever true might there be in such claims did not really matter as these became nothing but excuses to continue the age-old enterprise of slavery. And here lied the crux of the problem: that scientific data was used to hide, if not justify, the greed and pride of a certain elite.
This was not a new phenomenon as these same type of people had used other excuses in the past, such as those of religious or national nature, to justify the darkness in their hearts. It was never their intent to care for the true faith, or for the right national spirit, or for scientific integrity. And so, pointing our fingers at any of these elements is nothing but waste. For the real darkness was in their hearts all along and not in the disciplines they sought to hijack. More specifically, it was in the sins that have been denounced from long ago: greed, pride, gluttony, envy, etc.
I think that this is the reason why our current society is still so obsessed with race and with a number of godless ideologies. Because a multitude of people can easily gather in any particular landmark and manifest their resentment (and perhaps their own greed and pride also). And it is tempting because it ignores the underlying problem. If injustices to some people are corrected, injustices to other people will arise. Maybe in a different form, or maybe in a familiar one. Why? Because racism, in this case, is nothing but an excuse.
The real darkness consists of the fallen nature and, given that we look, we will find it in ourselves. If we truly denounce greed, pride, envy, among other sins, would racism not disappear? (Or, at least, be touched at its roots?) Ah, but it comes at a cost. It means to also denounce our own greed, pride, envy and other sins. Today, I find it quite easy to post a black picture or banner with whatever trendy catchphrase is being used to denounce social injustice, or to go out and march and even vandalize if needed. But no true change can arise from this. Darkness, like water, molds and adjusts, and can take any shape it needs in order to continue its task of separating man from God. But confronting the real problem means also confronting oneself. It means that darkness is not just in the fringes of society, or in some far away elite, or in a race or group of people, but also in ourselves, as long as we’re not attentive to the sin crouching at our door.
Layman Thought 