Every faith begins with love that comes from God's grace.  In our understanding of how to react and respond to unfairness in the world, we often look to our faith for guidance.

Compassion, forgiveness, charity, confession, and other complicated concepts are all intertwined in our reaction to racism and Racism.

For agnostic and atheist students, the guidance that you use for your life is likely just as complicated in how you approach your behavior on these issues.  This practice and reflection is just as important.

Think back to your earliest religious training.  How were Black people discussed or included in the lessons?  Was there an assumption that they were included in concepts such as "Love thy neighbor" or "Do unto others?"  Were there lessons specifically addressing race?

Did Black people attend your church or did they go to their own church?  Did you see Black churches as equal to your church in their understanding and teaching of God's love?  Have you ever attended a Black church, or do you only know what you've seen through movies and TV shows?

Many religious images are of people who were likely born in the Middle East or Northern Africa, where skin tones are darker than skin tones in Northern Europe.  In the images within your mind, are these people painted with light or dark skin? Does it bother you to see them depicted with darker skin? Or does it annoy you that they are traditionally shown with lighter skin?

Your practice today is to ask yourself or your God where you can look for guidance to understand your relationship to racism and Racism.  Think about your own personal discomfort and where your faith can help you find answers.