​PEOPLE OF COLOUR

The very first time I heard someone use the term “People of Colour” on CNN, I was deeply troubled. Do we have colourless people? My mind queried. Immediately, I concluded that this is a racist term. But I asked myself if those who coined and use this term really understand the meaning of colour, being educated people. We are all people of colour—white, black, red or brown—because, from my educational background, something is either coloured or colourless.
Therefore, those who use this term “People of colour” need to answer this: “Are there colourless people?” Nature has blessed each one with a particular colour. We should be proud to be black, white, red or brown, and respect one another’s colour because it is not any person’s doing to be born black, white, red or brown. It is the doing of the Lord God Almighty, who calls us to respect and love one another irrespective of colour, race, ethnicity or religious background. 

It is completely inhumane to hate or demean someone because of his/her skin colour. Do you ever ask yourself if it is your will or doing to be black, white, red or brown at birth? Have you ever asked yourself where it is permitted by the Lord of the universe, the Master and Potter of all living and non-living things or beings, to tyrannize and ill-treat one another because of skin colour? 
Racism is a purely human design, an act of hate, supremacy, arrogance, egocentricity and wickedness. Why should one’s skin irritate you, whereas you relate and treasure animals and things irrespective of colour? It is a deep-rooted hatred infused to many hearts by the ancient slave drivers and victims of slavery.
All human beings are created in the image and likeness of God, hence we must desist from using this term, “People of colour”, or use it properly. That is, not to segregate people based on the colour of their skin or their roots because, truly, we don’t have colourless people. 

This also was the message of the late South Afican reggae legend, Lucky Dube, in one of his tracks, ‘Different Colours’:
Hey you government 

Never try to separate the people

Hey you politician

Never try to separate the people
They were created in the image of God

And who are you to separate them

Bible says, He made man in His image

But it didn’t say black or white

Look at me you see BLACK

I look at you I see WHITE

Now is the time to kick that away

And join in my song
Different colours (one people)

Different colours (one people)

Hey you journalist, sport fans, awards organizers, movie and song writers/directors, comedians, coaches, teachers, policemen and women, healthcare practitioners, men and women, young and old, and all who have reverence for God Almighty, never try to separate the people.  God has a reason for creating us black, white, red or brown. He created us for His glory and to love and respect one another. Therefore, at all times, we must join in solidarity with the late South African and global icon Nelson Mandela to say privately or publicly: 

I detest racism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.

For that reason we must all join the Nigerian singer 2Face Idibia in his song, One Love:
All we need is one love

Irrespective of the colour

Your religion or political border

All we need is one love

Our people, hold it, embrace it

Express it and show it

Cos I know it is the answer. 

Reflection

Did I ever have the opportunity before conception to choose my skin colour, race or nationality? My idea of terming others inferior or superior to me based on skin colour, race or nationality, does it comes from God or man?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, You created us for Your glory and to love and serve one another. Help us with the grace to recognize Your image and likeness in one another and to treat one another as beloved brothers and sisters. Amen.  
Jesus Christ Speaks

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35 NRSV).