When Equality Becomes Partiality: A Christian Look at Modern-Day Discrimination

In recent years, a growing number of Americans have begun to notice a troubling shift in our cultural and legal systems—one that turns the noble goals of civil rights into a new form of imbalance. While the Civil Rights Movement rightfully corrected historic oppression against Black Americans, and affirmative action opened doors for many who had long been excluded, we now find ourselves facing a new question: Has the pendulum swung too far?

As a Christian and a conservative, I believe we must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), and that includes being honest about what is happening to white males in America today. This is not about bitterness or resentment. It is about justice. It is about fairness. And it is about ensuring that we do not replace one form of partiality with another.

Civil Rights Were a Victory for America

Let me say clearly: The Civil Rights Movement was one of the most important chapters in American history. The sins of slavery, segregation, and Jim Crow laws demanded correction. The movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others was rooted in Biblical principles of human dignity—that all men are created equal and bear the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

Affirmative action, though controversial, aimed to level the playing field by offering opportunities to historically marginalized groups. But what began as a correction for past wrongs has gradually evolved into a system that, in many places, now promotes race over merit.

Modern-Day Partiality: The Rise of DEI

Today, many companies and institutions are implementing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies that go far beyond fairness. These initiatives often prioritize hiring candidates based on skin color or gender identity rather than ability, experience, or character.

Let me be clear: diversity is not inherently wrong. It’s beautiful when it reflects the richness of God’s creation. But diversity without merit is dangerous. And in some cases—such as in aviation, medicine, or law enforcement—DEI can be fatal. When someone’s life is in the hands of a surgeon or a pilot, the most qualified person must be hired, not the most diverse candidate.

In the case of Brigida v. FAA, critics raised alarm over the FAA’s hiring policies prioritizing diversity over qualifications. The class-action lawsuit, filed by over 1,000 applicants, alleged that race-conscious hiring practices excluded qualified candidates in favor of fulfilling diversity goals. If we are choosing airline pilots or air traffic controllers based on race instead of skill, we are putting lives at risk. That is not compassion. That is recklessness.

Two-Tiered Justice: A Nation Divided by Color

Perhaps even more troubling than hiring discrimination is what we’re seeing in our justice system. There is an increasing sense that justice in America is no longer blind. From unequal sentencing to selective prosecution, the idea of a “two-tiered justice system” is becoming more widely discussed.

We’ve seen cases where two individuals commit the same or similar crimes but receive radically different treatment—one exonerated, the other punished severely. And in many of these cases, race or political affiliation appears to play a role. That is not justice. That is favoritism.

James 2:1 warns us clearly: “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.”

Whether it’s in the courtroom or the workplace, justice must be based on truth, not tribe.

The High Cost of Reverse Discrimination

What we are witnessing is not simply an overcorrection. It is a form of reverse discrimination. And for many white men today, this reality is hard to speak about without fear of being labeled racist, bitter, or fragile. But silence in the face of injustice is not love. It’s complicity.

We cannot build a healthy, united society by tearing down one group to uplift another. True unity requires mutual respect, not preferential treatment. It requires that we judge a man not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character, as Dr. King so powerfully declared.

As Christians, we must reject the cultural narrative that paints white men as inherently privileged, oppressive, or unworthy of fairness. Every individual, regardless of race, is equally loved by God, equally fallen, and equally in need of grace.

Why Merit Matters

In Scripture, we are reminded of the importance of excellence and ability:

“Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.” (Proverbs 22:29 NIV)

The Biblical model is one of merit. God calls people according to their gifts, their faithfulness, and their obedience—not their skin color.

We need that same standard in our schools, workplaces, and justice system today. Hiring based on merit doesn’t mean we don’t care about diversity. It means we care more about serving people with integrity and excellence. And in roles involving public safety, like pilots or surgeons, this isn’t just a moral issue—it’s a life-or-death one.

What Christians Must Do

So what do we do in a culture that is increasingly embracing partiality in the name of equity?

1. Speak the truth with love. Don’t be afraid to address the imbalance, but do so from a place of compassion, not anger.
2. Advocate for merit-based systems. Support policies and leaders that promote fairness, not favoritism.
3. Pray for unity and repentance. Ask God to bring healing to our land and to help us see each other as He sees us.
4. Resist guilt-based narratives. You are not responsible for the sins of your ancestors. True repentance is individual (Ezekiel 18:20).
5. Support leaders who promote justice for all. That includes standing against both historical racism and modern-day reverse discrimination.

We Must Reject All Forms of Partiality

The Bible is clear: God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11), and neither should we. The church must be a voice that rises above race, politics, and division—a voice that calls people to a higher standard.

We don’t need to swing the pendulum back in the other direction. We need to balance it. We need to return to true justice, true equality, and true grace.

Let us be bold enough to say that today’s discrimination, even if it wears the cloak of compassion, is still wrong. And let us be wise enough to build a society that values merit, truth, and righteousness above skin color.

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For more thoughts on the intersection of faith and culture, check out my post on Biblical Truth vs. Cultural Relativism.