Disclaimer: It is normally not a good idea to begin an essay with a disclaimer. But in this case it seems appropriate. The item in view here is probably a miniature Alberta Spruce, but that does not alliterate well with “parable.” Since they both are evergreens the illustration will work with either species. Now to the story.
We have been cultivating a row of special shrubs between our front porch and the sidewalk for quite a while now. We are just about to add the black, weed-blocking fabric and finish up the landscaping with some decorative stones. ...until about a week ago. We spilled some dishwashing detergent on one of the green, cone-shaped shrubs and it turned brown where the liquid had “washed” it. (Photos included) Within a few days the entire shrub had dried up and the needles fell from it when it was gently brushed. All that remains is the “skeleton” of our Alberta spruce, or for our story, pine.
I was looking at it while ruminating on current events, and the term “systemic” came to mind. We hear of systemic racism pervading our society. Well, the “soap” that spilled on our parable pine was systemic. Nothing remains of the original. That made me think of an essay that I read elsewhere that defined “systemic.” Most “dictionary” definitions are essentially identical:
“relating to a system, especially as opposed to a particular part.”
That means that the entire body is completely suffused with the poison or malady. Ironically, the “systemic racism,” leading to suppression and oppression of certain sectors of society, supposedly suffusing police departments and even society, has been decried by members of that segment who are typically far more privileged and possessing benefits far beyond the average citizen of the country.
If the system is “systemically corrupt,” then how do some members of the class escape the effects? “Systemically racist” police forces are headed by Black leaders and often boast significant members of the “oppressed” class. Professional sports quite possibly have more Black multimillionaires than those of other ethnic origins.
Actually, “races,” is a misleading and misapplied term. We are all one race–the human race. We do not categorize horses by the color of their hair. We do call some, palominos, but they are still the same horse as a bay or a black or a roan. A horse is a horse is a horse. Human beings are all the same, just with some different levels of pigmentation, just like the horses. Genetically, we are all homo sapiens.
Now, like our parable pine, there are instances of mistreatment and discrimination, but those are localized, rather than systemic. A wide population may be infected or affected by “overspray” from some bad apples, but the entire system has not been compromised like our shrub was. The definition of systemic includes the whole shebang. All members of the oppressed class would have to suffer varying degrees of discrimination and oppression in order to classify the situation as systemic.
Is there a solution to the “localized” injuries that we have witnessed? Localities that have attempted to “Defund police” have experienced greater numbers of homicides and increases in crime in general. Sending a social worker to deal with an armed felon is not an effective countermeasure, in the estimation of most citizens. If the whole of society is infected, then this systemic flaw does require complete replacement, like our shrub. We must analyze the current situation, or “status quo,” from my debate days.
To illustrate, consider another recent scenario. The multiple hurricanes and severe weather have eroded many seaside cliffs, and as the hillside erodes, a previously luxurious home that was built there begins to be in danger of collapsing into the ocean. We all recognize that doing an interior remodeling of the structure at this point would be both pointless and a complete waste of time.
The initial thrust in the project to preserve and protect the home would be to shore up the hillside and prevent further erosion. Working on the superstructure or roof would not solve the problem. Some solutions require a complete overhaul of the foundation structure and environment, but not a demolition of the whole edifice. Our society has for too long abandoned the logical, moral, legal, spiritual, and societal underpinnings provided by our history. We cannot just repaint the walls, or even demolish the structure and rebuild on the same plot of land. Even the radical elimination of systems will only produce similarly flawed replacements.
Legitimate grievances must be addressed. But to blow them out of all proportion and perspective is just as counterproductive as re-roofing our beach bungalow. Psalm 11:3 tells us, “If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” Restoring righteousness and respect for the Creator who put all of these foundations here, are the first steps in correcting the course of our errant ship. (Excuse the shift of metaphors.)
The current situation not systemic. In other words, the “detergent” has not reached the roots and then wilted the whole plant. There is no total “falling off of needles.” Some precincts have Black chiefs or leaders, as previously mentioned. Untold black athletes lead their teams in action and even in remuneration. The undeniable problem that are protested are localized, not systemic.
The foundation of society has eroded. But all is not lost. There is still time to turn back, or in Biblical terms, repent, and return to our first, founding principles. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
First, all men are created equal. That was the fundamental understanding of the founders of the country. Irrespective of the three-fifths clause, all people were considered equal. The three-fifths clause was not a statement of worth or value, but was for the apportionment of representation in the House of Representatives.
Some parties at the Constitutional Convention wanted to count slaves in the population for determining representation, despite the fact that slaves could not vote. The goal was to inflate and enhance the power of slave-holding states in Congress. The compromise was to reduce the impact of those states in the battle to eliminate slavery.
Second, rights are endowed by the Creator. Since that is true, we should turn back to Him, the One Who gave us rights in the first place.
And finally, racism is not ingrained. We are not born with it. Check two children playing together. They literally are color-blind. Color-blind, that is, until they are taught differently. But, children are not hard to teach to hate. We can rejoice in the fact that the love of the Lord can overcome both our ingrained and learned tendencies to evil. Turn back to God.
Just as we have to replant our parable palm, we need to replant our understanding and obedience to the Lord.
