Whiteness

An Open Letter to White Nationalists and Others: A Call to Repentance, Redemption, and Reconciliation

A Call for Reflection and Transformation

To those who identify with or are influenced by white nationalism, and others who may subscribe to ideologies of racial superiority or exclusion, I offer this letter with the intention of calling you to a deeper understanding of the Christian gospel. This call is not just to an intellectual recognition but to a spiritual transformation rooted in Christ. At the heart of this letter lies the recognition that 'whiteness' is more than just a skin tone—it is an ideology, a set of values and assumptions about power, privilege, and identity that has been embedded in society for centuries. As such, this letter seeks to address the theological, moral, and social implications of embracing this ideology, and to offer the hope of transformation through the gospel.

Whiteness as an Ideology: More Than Skin Deep

Whiteness, as understood in the context of societal structures, is a construct built not solely upon physical traits but upon a system of power and privilege that elevates certain groups over others. As Frantz Fanon wrote in Black Skin, White Masks (1952), the psychological trauma of colonialism and racial oppression manifests in how non-white individuals internalise the values of the dominant 'white culture’ even when they are not themselves white. Fanon states, 'The black man is the slave of the white man; the black man is not free' (Fanon, 1952, p. 4). This 'whiteness' is not limited to those with lighter skin but is often adopted by individuals who may not fit the physical appearance of the dominant racial group but who nevertheless internalise and perform the ideological constructs associated with whiteness. This is evident in the lives of many individuals, particularly in colonised or post-colonial contexts, who, like W.E.B. Du Bois noted in The Souls of Black Folk (1903), experience a 'double consciousness'—a sense of internal conflict as they navigate their identity in a world shaped by racial hierarchies (Du Bois, 1903, p. 8). 

The ideology of whiteness asserts a superiority that is not only spiritual but also material. It is a lens through which power is exercised, wealth is distributed, and culture is defined. This mindset is ingrained in both historical and contemporary institutions, making it not merely an individual experience but a structural one. We must not confuse this ideological construct with the simple fact of skin tone. Whiteness is a cultural and social construct that upholds the logic of domination.

The Christian Gospel and the Call to Repentance

In the Christian tradition, the gospel offers a radical reordering of the world's values. Jesus Christ, in His life, death, and resurrection, dismantled the structures of oppression and called His followers to a life of humility, reconciliation, and love. As Paul writes in Philippians 2:6-8, Christ, though in the form of God, 'did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant' Phil 2:6–7. This hymn illustrates that in Christ, the pursuit of power, prestige, and superiority gives way to self-emptying love and sacrificial service. The invitation to follow Christ is one of radical humility and relinquishment of all forms of domination and self-exaltation.

To those embracing or complicit in the ideology of whiteness, the Bible calls for repentance. James 2:9 warns, 'But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.' Partiality, especially based on race or skin tone, is a sin that distorts the image of God in others and leads to the dehumanisation of entire communities. White nationalism, in its essence, is a denial of the equal dignity of all people, created in the image of God. As Acts 17:26 reminds us, 'From one man, he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth.' There is no room for racial hierarchy in the kingdom of God.

The Trauma of ‘Whiteness’: A Spiritual and Psychological Condition

Fanon’s exploration of the trauma of whiteness is crucial for understanding the psychological effects of colonialism and white supremacy. The 'black man' (or the non-white person) often internalises the belief in the superiority of the white race, leading to self-alienation and a fractured sense of identity. Du Bois similarly captures the psychic toll of racial oppression with his concept of 'double consciousness,' where black individuals are forced to view themselves through the eyes of a society that devalues them (Du Bois, 1903, p. 8).

The ideology of whiteness, however, does not just affect non-white people—it also deforms the spiritual and moral identity of those who embrace it. The pursuit of power and dominance, masked as cultural or racial superiority, distorts the very image of God in the human person. In Matthew 16:26, Jesus asks, 'What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?' Whiteness, as an ideology, promises power and privilege but ultimately leads to spiritual death and disconnection from God.

The Invitation to Redemption: A Path Forward

The Christian message is one of redemption for all people, regardless of race or background. The invitation to follow Christ is not just an individual journey but a communal one, as believers are called to embody the values of the kingdom of God—justice, mercy, and reconciliation. 2 Cor 5:17 declares, 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!' In Christ, there is a path of renewal, where old systems of oppression and hate are replaced by love and justice.

For those who have embraced or perpetuated the ideology of whiteness, the gospel offers a call to radical transformation. This transformation requires repentance—turning away from the sin of partiality, pride, and domination—and embracing the humility and sacrificial love of Christ. As Eph 2:13-16 states, 'But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace...to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace.' The work of Christ is reconciling all people to God and to one another, breaking down the dividing walls of hostility, whether racial, ethnic, or socio-economic.

A Call to Action: Building the Kingdom of God

The Christian call is not only to individual transformation but to societal change. The work of reconciliation is not passive; it requires action. As Micah 6:8 calls us, 'He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.' Justice, mercy, and humility are the cornerstones of the kingdom of God, and they must guide the actions of all who claim to follow Christ.

The 'whiteness' ideology, with its basis in racial hierarchy and supremacy, has no place in the kingdom of God. It is a denial of the equality and dignity of all people, and it must be rejected in favour of a kingdom that celebrates diversity, justice, and peace. To the white nationalist, I implore you to examine your heart and turn away from the path of destruction. Repent, be reconciled to God, and live out the values of the kingdom of God.

A Prayer for Healing

Let us pray for a world where the trauma of whiteness is healed, where the lies of supremacy and division are replaced with the truth of God’s love and justice. Let us pray that all people—regardless of race or background—may experience the redemption and transformation that only Christ can bring.

References

Du Bois, W.E.B. The Souls of Black Folk. A.C. McClurg & Co., 1903.

Fanon, Frantz. Black Skin, White Masks. Grove Press, 1952.