Note: Originally posted August 15, 2008 on www.blackinamerica.com.

Earlier today, I was shopping at Wal-Mart with my son when I ran across a white Jesus doll. After taking a few moments to look it over, I just shook my head. I then asked myself, "How are they (the manufacturers) going to explain this to black, brown, yellow and red children and their parents?" Do they plan on making black, brown, yellow and red Jesus dolls?

Don't count on it.

I have been a born-again Christian since 1977, when I was nine years of age, and I am accustomed to seeing white images of Jesus Christ. I remember being in my black, Baptist church and looking up at the stained glass window with a white Jesus hanging on Calvary's cross. I remember opening up old pew bibles and seeing a white Jesus breaking bread with his 12 white disciples. Most of all, I remember closing my eyes to pray at night, only to see a white Jesus staring back at me.

I do not support the perpetuation of this image. To me, it seems to be nothing more than a ploy to get us persons of color to endear the white race over all others. Because the perpetuation of this image has been so strong through the years, many Christians of color have denounced the Christian faith to serve gods that are more in line with the physiology and values of their racial group. But who can blame them? Most people would rather do that than bow to a white Jesus, a white man.

I know I don't want my child to think Jesus is a white man. That's why I did everything I could to place my body in front of the white Jesus doll. He needs to grow up believing what I believe, that Jesus is the color of water. When the sun shines through this water, you behold the colors of the rainbow.

But why do we Blacks just stand on the margins and swallow this pill? Why aren't we speaking out against images that don't include us in the equation? Is it because we are afraid of the repurcussions that we will face if we forget our place? I hope not. Because if we do, our children - red, yellow, black, brown and white - will never know what it feels like to live in a true community, one where people are judged by the contents of their character rather than the colors of their skin.

What do you think? Have you seen the white Jesus doll? Do you have a problem with it?

I look forward to reading your responses.

Be blessed, and continue to be a blessing.

Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
www.jefferyafaulkerson.com  
www.practicalwritingeditingconsulting.com

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 Copyright 2008 Jeffery A. Faulkerson.  All rights reserved.