The Weeks Against Racism and the role of the Christian church

At the invitation of the German Foundation Against Racism, from the 20th to the 21st of September 2021, I visited a conference in Mainz with the goal of preparing next year’s edition of the Weeks Against Racism (given the great amount of interest, a “Day Against Racism” was also established for the 21st of March every year). The Weeks Against Racism were gaining popularity in Germany as early as the 1970s. First, an event of this sort would only take place at some dozens of venues, but eventually, more and more groups started to join in, seeing these events as an opportunity to voice a clear opinion against racism, and to be able to do something about it. Apart from schools and organisations that work with foreigners and deal with the integration of immigrants, law enforcement agencies and emergency services (the police, the military and firefighters) also take part in the event, as do some significant sports organisations, including the most popular sport in Germany: soccer.  Every year, tens of thousands of similar events take place in Germany, with approximately a million people participating annually. 

Racism has existed for quite some time and at present, it certainly does not only relate to the outdated and currently unscientific term „race“. Racism may concern people of other nationalities who perform menial jobs – in the Czech Republic, this is mostly the Romani people, in Germany, the Turks, in the UK, the Poles. Then there is racism against ethnical or language minorities. The third, probably most common form is religion-based racism: antisemitism or islamophobia (and anti-gypsyism). 

What is the situation in our country and what can we do? 

The population of the Czech Republic without immigrants and national minorities would probably be around nine million and decreasing. We owe the fact that our population is slightly growing to the almost 1 million foreigners currently living in our country, whether officially or unofficially. 

Are racists bald thugs with baseball bats, as they are often depicted? Or are they just normal fellow citizens, including some Christians, even from the apparent elite of society who have power and should serve as moral examples - mayors, police officers or even school principals? How can one tell whether racism is manifesting? The best way to tell is by asking those whom it concerns. 

Even the friendliest of communities have their blind spots, taboo topics and people who are not to be talked about. Sometimes the following Jesus’ words come to mind: „For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did.“ (Matthew 21:32) Jesus obviously knew how to provoke the higher society – and the church today could learn one or two things from him in that respect. 

The Weeks Against Racism are also a good opportunity to raise the issue in the environment of the Protestant church. When I mentioned the event to my fellow ministers, many of them told me that they are aware of racism in Czech society and that they have been preaching against it. Clearly anti-racist texts abound in the Bible, from the creation of one man at its beginning, to the many nations that will wander to the mountain of the Lord (Isaiah 2:3), to the multitude „from every nation, tribe, people and language“ standing before the throne of the Lamb in the last book of the Bible (Revelation 7:9). In the Protestant church, it is possible to discuss almost anything, discussions are an important part of our life as a community. That is a good basis for the Weeks Against Racism. I have therefore decided to invite congregations, ministers, elders and individuals to consider their own participation. 

The Weeks Against Racism can take place within a relatively wide timeframe, because no precise from-to dates have been officially specified. This means everybody can set their own date for the „Day Against Racism“. The essence of racism is that it puts labels on „us“ and „them“, placing a strict dividing line with the aim of protecting „us“ by not letting „them“ into certain areas of our lives. One of the aims of the Weeks Against Racism is to step out of our comfort zone and take a step across this boundary.  

What are the plans? 

A number of various events are planned for this year. The Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren has announced a literary competition for teenagers called „I'm not racist, but...“. The results will be announced within the seminar „Giving Voice to the Humiliated“, which was organised in April this year by the ECCB’s commission for human rights and took place in the Senate of the Czech Republic.   

A series of meetings will be held in various regions of the Czech Republic between members of the Czech Police and representatives of Romani communities, moderated by representatives of the church. This should contribute to improving mutual relations and trust between Romani people and the police.

What can individuals do?

- The easiest (however in my opinion also the lowest) step is to enter the life of a community by reading a book, watching a film, or perhaps just having a thorough look at the romea.cz webpage. 

- A more advanced step is to talk to a member of a minority group and ask them about a "non-correct" topic - whether they ever experience anything unpleasant from the majority just because they belong to a minority (which is not always called racism in our country). 

- It is also possible to visit the nearest Romani places of worship (a network of Romani congregations in the Czech Republic has grown in recent years in several different churches). 

- Go to a Muslim prayer room (we have several in Prague – two in Brno and two in Karlovy Vary, another in Teplice and Hradec Kralove). Everywhere I went, I received a very friendly welcome. 

What can elders and congregations do to mark the Weeks Against Racism?

You can start by organizing a discussion with a representative of a minority group or a concert of ethno or world music. A proven, almost „home-grown“ group is, for example, Nsango Malamu, a choir singing African Christian songs. Racism is best fought the good way...

For Christian congregations, the most natural thing to do is to hold services. The topic (perhaps referred to in a more positive way as a „day for diversity“ or something similar) can be the acknowledged theme of the Sunday service, including prayers. If you wish to pray for a specific group, you can invite them to the service. Another option is to invite representatives of another religion to a service (or to a discussion). A joint service with a foreign-language or a Roma congregation is also a possibility. When well prepared, such an event can be very enriching for both parties. 

My dear readers may have noticed that this article is meant to serve as an invitation, a challenge, and to provide encouragement. Throughout most of the church year, we have many opportunities to organise such meetings. 

Mikuláš Vymětal