My name is Jisoo Vis, and I am a Korean Canadian wife, mom and lawyer living in Vancouver, British Columbia. I am a third culture kid, having been raised in Mainland China (as a missionary’s kid) and the rest of my life in various parts of Canada.
As a lawyer exposed to legal thought on people’s fundamental rights and freedoms, I often think about the implications of Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (part of Canada’s constitution), which states the following:
Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability [emphasis added].
It is remarkable the number of times the word “equal” is mentioned in this text. We are all equal before and under the law, and there shall be no discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or disability.
If this text resonates with your core as a believer, this is because this concept of equality is tied to imago dei, a concept common to Judaism and Christianity and that means “image of God.” This concept stems from Genesis 1:26–27, which states that all human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. Such a concept of equality based on our identities as image bearers of God is woven throughout the legal traditions of Canada, the United States, and other common law jurisdictions. Regardless of our race, ethnic origin, colour, sex, age or disability, we are made in the image of God, and are called by God to treat each other as such.
It is fair to say that substantive work is required at the federal, state/provincial, municipal, and local church levels for the eventual obliteration of this type of systemic injustice.
As a member of a visible minority, I’ve given much thought to how the church (particularly in North America) can treat members of visible minorities as image-bearers of God, deserving of equal treatment irrespective of their race, ethnic origin and colour. In the last couple of years during the COVID-19 era, starting with the George Floyd tragedy in the United States, and the uncovery of burial sites of First Nations children in various parts of Canada, we have seen and learned about the direct, dire consequences of visible minorities not being treated as image-bearers of God deserving of equal treatment and respect. It is fair to say that substantive work is required at the federal, state/provincial, municipal, and local church levels for the eventual obliteration of this type of systemic injustice.
So what can we do at the church level to begin treating all image-bearers of God equally, regardless of their race or ethnic origin? I have two very simple suggestions.
First, please know that your tongue has the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21). When I previously provided my reflections in The Banner about hurtful remarks and interactions I've had in the CRC because of my race and ethnicity, a few readers commented and implied that while they were sorry I felt hurt, my feelings of hurt and sadness stemmed largely from my own insecurities and expectations of how I ought to be treated as a member of the CRC, which has historically been white. I do not think it is a far departure from the truth when I say that, if you are a Caucasian person and you meet a member of a visible minority in a predominantly white congregation, that person most likely carries around baggage of having been singled out for their ethnic origin. Please trust me on this. If you do not have much experience interacting with members of visible minorities, please take a quick moment and ask God for wisdom on how your words can help reflect that person's identity as image bearer of God, equal to any other member of your local congregation.
Second, if you are thinking of books to read, audio books to listen to, or podcasts to subscribe to; please prayerfully consider learning more about racial injustice and practical ways for you to contribute to the fight against such injustice.
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