I looked around, talked to a few people. I went into an antiques store where a man said I looked familiar. Then I turned around and drove home. But I kept thinking about that Whites Only sign. Rights and privileges It occurred to me that, if that sign were up in many suburban churches and synagogues, not many black people would be there to notice.
Houses of worship do a good job of preaching unity, but an even better job of separating by race.
Congregants would be appalled, of course, to think of putting up such a sign. But there is something about the frozen smiles, the curious looks, the discomfort with a different sort of greeting, or singing, or worship style that makes clear who belongs there and who does not. It is never about cruelty or racism, of course. It is just about people like us vs. people like you. There is no sin in wanting to be comfortable.