Personal Reflection on Faith and the Realities We Inherit
Sometimes, we need to pause and take a real, honest look at where we are—both as individuals and as a society. Many of us who consider ourselves people of faith, especially in white Christian communities, have inherited certain ways of thinking and living that go much deeper than we realize.
Over hundreds of years, the ideas and habits of white supremacy—beliefs that put white people and their culture above others—have become so deeply woven into daily life and faith traditions that many don’t even notice them anymore. It’s like the air we breathe: invisible, but always around us, shaping how we see ourselves, others, and even God.
This isn’t something to be ashamed of, but it is something to wake up to. For too long, many have gone along without asking tough questions about the stories, rules, and ideas that get passed down in our churches, families, and culture. These unexamined ways of thinking can lead us away from the core truths of our faith—the belief that every human being is made in God’s image and deserves love, respect, and justice.
A personal awakening means deciding to see things as they really are, not just as we’ve been told they are. It’s choosing to learn about the past and how it still shapes our world, and to be honest about where we might have gotten off track. This doesn’t mean giving up faith; it means making our faith deeper and truer, closer to the heart of what God wants for humanity.
We all have a part to play in this. It starts with listening, learning, and having the courage to change. When we wake up—not just with our minds, but with our hearts—we make room for real healing and for a faith that brings hope and justice for everyone.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 