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The “Untouchables” of India
Racism is defined as the belief that one race of
people are superior to another because of the race
they are born into. One of the worst cases of racism
in existence today is the Caste System in India. Indo-Aryans
started the Caste system after they conquered India,
to preserve their “racial purity.” Now
part of Hinduism, the Caste system devalues people
based on color of skin. Darker-skinned people, Dravidians,
were defeated by Aryans and became outcaste or Untouchables.
Untouchables live every day with degrading oppression
such as:
· Denial or restriction of access to public
facilities such as wells, schools, roads, post offices,
and courts.
· Denial or restrictions to temple access where
their presence “might pollute” the higher
caste worshippers.
· Denial of honorable and profitable employment.
Must work at dirty or unskilled occupations (such
as in the gravel pits or going down into the city
sewers to clean them).
· They are required to live outside the villages.
· Denial of access to services such as barbers,
restaurants, shops, and theaters.
· Restrictions on lifestyle comforts such as:
riding horses, use of bicycles, umbrellas, and footwear.
· Restrictions on use of roads within a certain
distance of the houses or persons of higher castes.
According to the Indian census of 1980, there were
200 million "Untouchables." They are still
subjected to very inhuman treatment based on practices
promoted in the Hindu religious manual, Manu Smriti.
“God does not show favoritism.”
Romans 2:11
Information obtained from: http://www.soundvision.com/Info/
racism/statistics.asp
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RACISM
E.R.A.C.E. This Generation with
Michael Tait
By Julie Ferwerda
CBN.com –
When Michael Tait first started singing with the legendary
band, DC Talk, his African-American friends back home gave him
a bad time. They asked him why in the world he would hang out
with “white guys?”
“I thought about it and there was nothing to justify why
not? There was absolutely nothing. We both bleed red blood. We’re
both young men. Why can’t we just all get along?”
Since then, Tait and fellow band member Toby Mac have started
E.R.A.C.E. (acronym for “eliminating races and creating
equality”). They started it because they want to raise the
awareness of an issue that is still alive and well in our world,
and in America—racism.
“Racism is a stinky, smelly, senseless, useless, downward
spiral that gets you nowhere really fast,” Michael shared.
“We started ERACE to try to encourage people to leave their
comfort zones. Get to know your neighbor. Don’t be afraid
of people who don’t look like you, don’t talk like
you, don’t walk like you, eat like you, smell like you,
dress like you—it’s okay. Because the Bible says God
created man (and woman for that matter), in His image. So you
know what guys? If you’re blue, black, white, red, green…whatever
color you are, you were created in the image of the Almighty God.
And if you plan on going to heaven, get used to it because there’s
going to be all sorts of races and creeds up there. And if you
don’t like that thought, then don’t worry about it
because you probably won’t be there anyway (laugh).”
Michael believes that racism and prejudice boil down to fear
and ignorance. “People are afraid to experience what they
don’t understand, so it’s much easier to sit back
and talk. ‘I bet he’s this way...I bet she’s
that way.’ Let’s not get to know them. God forbid
we do that.”
Michael has personally felt the sting of racism. A few years
ago, he was traveling with some friends through a small Tennessee
town where they stopped for gas. An elderly gentleman confronted
him as he was getting ready to leave.
“Boy, we don’t like your kind around here.”
“My kind? You know what sir? My generation…we don’t
believe in that anymore. That stuff’s for the birds. I’m
sorry but I can’t go there with you. These guys are my best
friends. We’re sending men to the moon now, sir. C’mon,
we’re beyond that.”
Michael recalls, “The man kind of rolled his eyes over
to the window and then looked back at me with these creepy eyes.
And he goes, ‘Boy, it’s getting dark out there. We’ll
hang you around here.’”
 The
man’s comments had a profound impact on the rock star. “Here
I am a successful, articulate, Grammy-toting, multi-platinum artist—all
those things that can make you feel like, ‘I am somebody.’
For one split second, I felt less than human…I felt like
crying. I was frustrated. I was humbled. I was embarrassed. Then
it made me think—imagine the relentless, daily routine that
slaves and oppressed blacks went through. From the signs saying
“whites only,” to the constant verbal degrading and
beatings from whites back in the 60’s, imagine what they
must have felt. I had it for one second.”
Maybe you too have felt the awful shame and loneliness of racism
or prejudice. Not necessarily because of your skin color, but
because you aren’t like someone else and they seem to find
enjoyment in using it against you. Michael has some words of encouragement
for you.
“Count it joy when you’ve been abused because that
is the highest honor. When you suffer like that you’re kissing
the face of God. And He kisses you back. I really believe that
because [loving and ministering to the downcast] is at the very
heart of God. To the teen reading this, I won’t just say,
‘Be strong,’ but I’ll say, ‘You hang in
there and don’t be a survivor, be a conqueror!’ Survivors
get through, conquerors break through. Be a conqueror. And God
will honor that. Don’t be afraid. Walk on, baby.”
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus…there
is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for
you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26, 28
For more information on The ERACE Foundation and celebrating
the diversity of the human race, go to: www.erace.com.
Also on the net:
www.taitband.com
www.julieferwerda.com.
CBN.com's Youth section
CBNmusic.com
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Are you facing a difficult situation?
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
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