Christian History Home > Issue 94 > God's Image in Color
God's Image in Color
Racism continues to stain society and challenge the church's commitment to a color-blind gospel. Albert Lutuli's peaceful pursuit of justice in South Africa pointed a way forward for the generations to come.
Gerald J. Pillay and Carolyn Nystrom | posted 4/01/2007 12:00AM
Suppose that the year is 1958; you live in South Africa—and you are black. Your home is a two-room shanty on five acres in a rural area where in a good year, if you work hard, you can earn about $60. It is government land, not yours. You may be ordered to leave at any moment for any reason.
You carry a pass that identifies you by name and race, and records every trip you have made more than a few miles from home. Your pass allows you to work, but only at the lowest types of physical labor. Jobs are assigned by race. You may marry but also only within your own race. If you find work in a city, you cannot bring your family with you; you eat and sleep with other workers in male dormitories on the edge of town. When you leave your work, after six months, to visit your family, you are quickly replaced. If you visit a town, you may stay only 72 hours. Your pass will note your entry and exit times. If you overstay, you may be arrested, questioned, or beaten.
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