There is no legitimate room for categorizing people by race or class, yet society largely accepts such categorization as normal. I would like to pose a question: which of the two racial groups—Blacks or Whites—needs liberation more urgently? Is it correct to suggest that those who are constantly degraded because of their racial identity need liberation, or those who degrade others because of their racial background need liberation? This invites reflection. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but that leads to destruction” (Proverbs 16:25).
Discrimination based on skin tone—commonly called colorism, shadeism, or pigmentocracy—is prejudice that causes individuals of the same race to be treated differently according to skin color. Colorism disproportionately affects those with darker skin, often favoring those with lighter skin. Historically, it is rooted in colonialism and has played a significant role in shaping social hierarchies around the world.
Various groups, including Asians, Latinos, and African Americans, have been impacted by colorism, primarily due to European colonialism and the legacy of slavery in the Americas. This issue illustrates how racism can manifest within a community and influence perceptions of beauty, wealth, and privilege. A key distinction between racism and colorism is that racism involves the oppression of one group by another, often rooted in beliefs of racial superiority. In contrast, colorism refers to discrimination even within the same racial group, where individuals are treated differently based on skin tone.
However, humanity should not be defined by skin color, for skin color does not determine the essence of a person created in God’s image—a spirit. Some individuals resort to skin bleaching in an attempt to change their physical appearance for validation, stemming from the belief that Black individuals are inferior to White individuals.
For some, being born Black may seem synonymous with being disabled, reflecting one of many fallacies that have demeaned humanity throughout history. In reality, a person cannot be reduced to skin color, nor should individuals be associated solely with their racial or geographical backgrounds, which limit their individual identities. There is no need for anyone to perceive themselves as inferior or superior to others based on race.
Many people judge right and wrong based on racial background, often deeming individuals wiser or superior simply because of skin color, regardless of their actual education or experience. The most damaging influence on human behavior is often culture, frequently treated as a primary element of human identity, rooted in behavior rather than in inherent dignity. Ultimately, there is no truth in linking culture or racial identity to a person’s character.
All humans are God’s children and are expected to embody God’s character. While Blacks may be perceived as disadvantaged, they share a similar entrapment with those who mistakenly believe they have an advantage by being White. It is challenging to free those caught in such cultural deceptions. This misunderstanding even led to Simon Peter being rebuked by Paul.
“When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, ‘You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
“‘We who are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners” know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God’” (Galatians 2:11-19, NIV).
The Jewish law was often seen as a means to place certain individuals above those who did not follow it. However, a person’s true character, untainted by societal judgments, does not align with superficial assumptions based on appearance. Genuine identity, as revealed through Jesus Christ, transcends ethnicity—whether one is Jewish, White, or Black. Instead, everyone should simply be recognized as a child of God.
There is a widely accepted image of Jesus that many believe accurately portrays Him, leading those who anticipate His second coming to expect Him to appear in that likeness. However, no one truly knows what the artists who created this image intended. It seems the world has been misled by this representation, as it reflects someone’s imagination rather than a true depiction of Jesus’ identity. Paul suggested that he himself was a genuine representation of Jesus.
“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:20-21, NIV).
White domination, as a racial issue, presents challenges that cannot be ignored globally. Countries like Zimbabwe may claim independence from White domination, but they are often drawn to the socio-economic conditions associated with White people. This troubling reality is seemingly lost on even those who fought in the liberation struggle. The leaders, while asserting that they engaged in a bitter armed struggle to liberate Black people, often their actions remain in favor with the very White individuals they claim to oppose.
It is also evident that the admiration people have for one another is not restricted by race. Those who have traveled abroad often receive a higher status, which contributes to many opting to settle outside their home countries to escape the stigma associated with their origins. Degrading oneself is as inappropriate as trying to elevate oneself. Education should not be pursued merely to achieve a higher social status. True power comes from serving others.
False categorization fuels criminal activities aimed at achieving unearned power and status. The title “Honorable Member of Parliament” is often met with respect wherever one goes. One wonders how Jesus would react to being addressed as “Honorable Jesus.” The absurdity sometimes displayed among Christians is striking. However, genuine Christians understand that physical appearance does not reflect one’s true character.
“My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man with gold rings and in fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘Have a seat here, please,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘Stand there,’ or, ‘Sit at my feet,’ have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:1-4, NIV).
It is never normal to judge people solely by their appearance, yet appearance significantly influences how positions of authority are determined. I feel I must present myself well-groomed to be held in high regard, even if I do not truly deserve the consideration I receive. Conversely, if I am not properly groomed, I find myself relegated to an inferior position, despite my true value. An individual’s first impression is often enough for others to classify them.
People are frequently judged by their social class and appearance without any communication. However, James describes this behavior as making judgments with evil thoughts, which includes assessing others based on skin color. In Zimbabwe, White skin is often revered, even when a White person may be a criminal. A Black person can be more qualified than a White individual, but the White person is still considered superior and more trustworthy.
Some individuals use the label “racist” to deflect attention from their inability to take control of their environment. This may have contributed to some White individuals accepting notions of superiority. Skills are often associated with White individuals, which might explain why our Reserve Bank governor is reluctant to replace the US dollar with the national currency. He seems unable to address the reasons behind a devalued currency. The country is mostly sustained by the Diaspora respects, yet he proudly claims to be a “Reserve Bank Governor.”
Those who voice criticism of such blatant failures are frequently labeled as “puppets of the West,” when, in fact, the opposite is true. This situation contributes to the international devaluation of Blacks. By accepting this circumstance, Blacks seem to reinforce that judgment. While James highlights the distinction between making judgments and having evil thoughts, it raises the question of how one can avoid being labeled negatively for being black.
This racial perspective reflects the wicked mindsets, suggesting that one class of humanity is superior to the other. However, all humans possess inherent worth that is as well as God is good. An individual’s racial background should not be a valid reason for negative or positive judgment. Unfortunately, many people, particularly in Black communities, seem unaware that what is feared most often has power over one who fears. In other words, natural law dictates that the object of greatest fears can dominate those who are gripped by them.
Isaiah’s prophecy highlights how deeply human appearance affects us today. It depicts a man of sorrows—Jesus—, who was dehumanized, died on the cross, which set an example for us all. One does not become superior to others by being a Christian. Anyone can adopt Jesus’ principles without assuming that He would be selective about who He can use as a vessel. However, Christians often struggle with the tendency to make judgments based on race or class.
“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” (Isaiah 53:2-7, NIV).
It is undeniable that a well-groomed person is often preferred over someone who is not. Yet, prioritizing well-groomed individuals when determining who deserves respect is considered un-Christian, according to James. A well-groomed person does not inherently deserve more respect than the unkempt one; rather, it is their actions toward others that matter. When John’s disciples asked about Jesus’ identity, He encouraged them to focus on His works rather than becoming preoccupied with His personality, which could lead to misunderstanding (Matthew 11:2-6).
The same idea applies to highly educated individuals. Their education should serve as a tool to help those who are uneducated. Judging people based on class, educational background, race, or skin color is both dubious and unacceptable before God. This view stems from the fundamental belief that all human beings are created in God’s image. Thus, it is foolish to assume superiority over others based on race or education. Instead, knowledge brings greater responsibility to serve those who are less educated in our communities.
“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’” (Matthew 20:25-28).
This passage cannot be applied to ordinary people in this world, because this civilization advocates the opposite of what Jesus presents. Jesus was speaking about a fundamentally different approach to dealing with humanity. His teachings imply that a privileged person has the responsibility to serve those who are less privileged. Sadly, while categorizing people by class is incompatible with Christianity, it is adopted by most people.
Achieving what none of one’s peers have accomplished brings with it the burden of responsibility to serve others. No one has ever achieved greater knowledge than Jesus and yet He humbly accepted degradation when He took on the role of a notorious criminal, like Barabbas. From a human perspective, one could argue that Barabbas was not superior to Jesus. The exchange between Jesus and Barabbas showcases what appears to be a miscarriage of justice, where a valued individual was sacrificed to save a notorious criminal.
The Barabbas case exemplifies the perfect standard of Christianity: a highly valuable person accepting the duty to serve those lacking valuable knowledge. Just because this concept may not resonate with ordinary human understanding does not mean it is untrue. Jesus paved the way for humanity to follow, because with humans, “There is a way that seems right to a man, and yet the end, thereof is death” (Proverbs 16:25). Although it is not presented as an easy journey, it represents the only path to true life. The deceptive nature of clinging to what seems right when it is actually wrong can surely lead to despair.
The prophet Isaiah said that all have gone astray, like sheep, and need correction (Isaiah 53:6). This prophecy indicates that the only way to achieve correction is through the application of Jesus’ teachings, without regard to race, or considered superiority. The most challenging task is convincing humanity to see the light while groping in darkness. It is vital to recognize that Black individuals are not the only ones who need liberation from bondage; all humanity requires liberation. In fact, Black people could be at an advantage, potentially thriving by embracing humility and recognizing their need for transformation.
The real challenge lies in dealing with those who believe they are superior to Black individuals. This mindset is reflected in Jesus’ words: “The first shall be last, and the last shall be first” (Matthew 20:16). Nothing in this world can compare to the teachings of Jesus. Those who regard themselves as superior are often at a greater disadvantage than those who are marginalized. It is unnecessary for Black people to view their skin color as a disadvantage. In fact, being Black may be more of an advantage than a disadvantage.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, which lays out standards for lifting Zimbabwe out of its current economic depression and into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, offering relief to those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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