Ever since the civil rights movement forced America to confront its racism half a century ago, racism has been receding from certain sectors of our society, including entertainment, sports and the workplace. The election of Barack Obama to the presidency of the United States is a historic blow to racism in the political sector and far beyond. But it would be erroneous to equate the Obama presidency with the end of America's racism. In fact, should the Obama presidency fail, racism could resurface with a vengeance from its hideout. After all, the cities that confronted the civil rights marchers with police dogs and fire hoses never truly integrated; the white residents simply emigrated to the suburbs. Even in regions of the country deemed less racism-prone, some who happily work next to African Americans and admire them on television still shy away from engaging them socially and personally, and even resent those who move into the neighborhood. And racism persists even among Christians. The existence of churches of racial minorities whose first language isn't English is understandable, but that of English-speaking churches divided along racial lines points to division that betrays Christ's desired unity within His flock: "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me." (John 17:20-23)
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