April 5th, 2021: A New Understanding of Tribalism?
The nature of tribalism is more integrated into our cultures than we are willing to acknowledge. It is baffling to see the increase in tribalism in our time while the fight for equality is getting louder. I am not sure whether our attempt to fight against racism has made the issue worse. We fight against the unjust treatment of black people only to see more and more reports that more Asian folks got beaten up by both black and white folks with similar racial discrimination. It is more problematic than we think. No one seems to have the courage to ask the question: What is going on?
When we hear that people tell other people to go back to where they came from, that is tribalism. When we hear someone who tells others that they do not belong here, that is the beginning of the breaking down in our social contract in co-existing. When some people believe that they have the right to damage the property of others, we embrace anarchy with the pretension of equality. When we use identity politics to protect one specific race, we might create some other racial tensions.
Asian folks might not be aware that many Non- Asian folks have a hard time recognizing the difference between Chinese and Non-Chinese folks. Many Vietnamese in California, for example, were supporting the former President by calling the Coronavirus the Chinavirus. The problem we face is they are now viewed the same way as Chinese, and we encounter the same racial discrimination as Chinese folks. We need to be aware that one unrighteous act will bring about another.
We might want to leave the narrative of racism behind and address the issue in the larger context. We need to consider hate and insecurity in a more comprehensive picture. We should not be afraid of talking about rights and wrongs. We need to study how healthy family life plays an important role in building a healthy society. Let us not use racial tensions as excuses so we can avoid being true to ourselves and others.
Seeking God's righteousness is to believe that all people are created equally in the image of God. To be racist is to imply that God made a mistake in His creation which is blasphemy. When we learn how to hate another human being, we declare our separation from God, and there is no truth within us.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” ~ Matthew 6:33
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” ~ Proverbs 11:30
