I’m preparing for an interview with a man named Simeon Wright.  He wrote a book called “Simeon’s Story: An Eyewitness Account of the Kidnapping of Emmett Till.”  Emmett Till, Simeon’s cousin, was brutally murdered while visiting family in Mississippi in 1955.  Emmett was killed for whistling at a white woman; he was only fourteen years old.  The killers were arrested and tried but were found not guilty, despite the testimony of several eyewitnesses.  Much like Apartheid, during the 1950’s and 60’s blacks in America were terrorized by whites and denied basic rights that were guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution – all because of the color of their skin. While preparing for the interview, I began to think about the concept of racism a little further.  What would make a human being hate another human to the point of torturing the person emotionally, mentally and physically because the two of them are from a different tribe, a different sex, a different religion, or reside in the north verses the south?  Didn’t God create all of us? So who gave the created a right to determine the value and worth of other creations?  I have to admit that as I read Mr. Wright’s description of what it was like for blacks during this time, I was angry toward white people.  Then when I read how the murderers were set free by an all white, all male jury my anger turned into rage.  However, I was reminded of a scripture that says:  “We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).  God reminded me that my only enemy is Satan.   His goal is to destroy mankind and he’s using mankind to do it.  So I encourage you to check your heart.  Is it full of hate for others?  Do you look down on another ethnic group?  Do you mistreat people who are different?  If you do, begin to talk to God about it and ask Him to change your heart.  Better yet, ask Him to let you see them the way He does and I’m willing to bet that your heart will begin to transform.

This is a blog entry from Producer Erica Linney. Feel free to comment below.