CHRISTIAN COMMENT: Breaking down the barriers of prejudice

Then we, the democratic public, can cast our vote and give our opinion. But what shapes those opinions?

Is it their voice, their personality, their looks? We all judge. But what happens if we judge before we hear the singer or watch their act or hear their opinion? What if we prejudge?

Well, we enter the painful and destructive world of prejudice.

This summer, a group of 20 Littlehampton students put aside a national prejudice and got on a plane to serve a prejudged community in the heart of Europe. They had spent a year raising the funds and planning the activities to give to a people who have been rejected for centuries and are still being judged today.

The Roma Gypsy people have suffered the hurt that comes from being stereotyped, vilified and subjected to hate.

From the Nazi concentration camps of the 40s to the tabloids of today, how can hate be allowed to survive? Jesus challenged prejudice wherever he came across it – indeed he challenged us all not to judge.

For the young people of Littlehampton it was an amazing week of new friendships made, lives changed and prejudice challenged. It is best summed up in the words of one of the team...

“I have been introduced to the injustice within the world we live in, injustice that is hidden beneath the blessings of our country. I’ve been brought into a new world within which I can restore righteousness through hard work, passion and faith.

“Within this trip, I have seen some of the most beautiful things and met amazing people that have taught me the true meaning of love and compassion.

“Without this trip, I wouldn’t have believed that I could make a difference to this hurting world in which we live.”

Young people are often prejudged. I hope their words and their hard work away from the classroom will help us all think a bit more before we make a judgment call about youngsters today.

I pray also that we will, in the words of Jesus, learn to ‘love our neighbours as ourselves’ no matter what their race, creed or colour of skin.