40|50 Project: 40 Days To Heal A Nation’s Racial DivideSample

Day 27: Rebirth of A Nation

The first blockbuster film of all times, Birth of a Nation, based on the book, The Clansman, is one of the most racist films cinema has ever produced. Its portrayal of African American men as ignorant, lazy, morally corrupt and violent is still believed by many today. Released in 1915, it is credited as giving rebirth to terrorist organization, the Ku Klux Klan. The book and screenplay are well crafted examples of how to instill fear in people’s hearts that leads to systemic and institutionalized racism. 

According to Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT), with His love, God calms all our fears. We need the Lord today to release His love throughout every sphere of culture, especially my family here in Hollywood who are creating images that shape our world, and calm all of our fears. 

ACTION: Think of the films, television shows, books, etc., that you have seen whose erroneous images help solidify racism in our countries. What can we do about them today? What are new works in truth that can be created to bring healing? 

PRAYER:

Lord, You live with me. You are a mighty warrior. You delight in me with gladness. With Your love, You calm all my fears. You rejoice over me with joyful songs. Please allow me to experience Your love in its fullest today in a way that I know it's You. Let Your love change our culture and each one of us as Your family, in Jesus’s Name, Amen.