Dr. A.R. Bernard, the lead pastor of Christian Cultural Center (CCC) in Brooklyn, New York recently sat down with Marcus and Joni Lamb on DayStar TV for an interview about reconciliation, critical race theory, race, and more.
During the interview, the Lambs noted that American citizens have been struggling to reconcile among the different races and beliefs. Bernard suggested that one way to deal with this issue is by learning to speak with each other. “We need to start having dialogue [and] conversations with each other about issues we’re dealing with and how we are addressing these issues,” he stated.
Still, there are those who believe that society has to ‘get over it.’ There is concern that if someone has not been personally impacted by an event, then they will be insensitive to the issue. “You may not be a perpetrator of the crime, but you are a beneficiary of those who perpetrated the crime; then you’re tied to it,” Bernard explained.
The CCC pastor also commented on a current hot topic: critical race theory. “Critical race theory — it’s a theory that simply says let’s take a critical look, a comprehensive look at the role of race, the historical role of race, and racism in American systems and structures.”
He added that social groups have misinterpreted the definition, using the term out of context for their own vantage point. As an example, he used school curriculums, a battleground in the CRT debate. “I’ve got a problem with curriculums that are designed to make white people feel guilty about their skin color.”
Bernard also rebutted what he views as some misconceptions on race. For instance, he refutes the idea that African Americans can’t be racist because of their lack of systematic power. “If you have a person of color who is part of a system and structure that discriminates, marginalizes, and disenfranchises people of color, you are racist,” he stated succinctly.
Joni revealed that she has difficulty having conversations with people about race because she believes different ethnic groups are angry with her. Bernard thinks that it is important to have discussions without people devolving into hatred or anger with one another.
“The paradox of unity is that we’re able to have a different opinion, accept that difference, and understand that we’re still a part of a greater whole.”
He concluded that black and white people share a level of ignorance to the challenge of race and prejudices.
“There are black people who can’t see white poverty because of white privilege, and there are white people who can’t see their own privilege because of their own poverty.”
To watch the full interview, head over to ARB TV.