HUMBLE AND GRACEFUL IN THE FACE OF PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION

Dr. George Washington Carver, experienced hell on earth, by the time he turned ten, which many others may never experience in their entire lifetime. Carver, an orphan child due to kidnapping of his mother and sister, which is normal for slaves during his time. Carver himself was kidnapped as an infant. As a child, he was always sick. Even though he was a born slave, he survived it through his outlook, and by his faith in God.

The following words help us take a peek into George W. Carver’s heart – “After my first few lessons in reading and writing, I resolved to get an education, to get all that I could out of books.” He focussed on taking a different route in his life, rather than groan and struggle with injustices meted out to him, and his people, because of slavery and the racial discrimination. George Washington Carver did so because he believed – “Fear of something is at the root of hate for others, and hate within will eventually destroy the hater.”

Carver became a Christian when he was still a young boy. Writing about this, he noted – “I was just a mere boy when converted, hardly ten years old.” Carver firmly believed, that God had given him a purpose and a mission, to use all that he had learnt as an agricultural chemist, to help improve the lot of poor black and white Southern farmers. 

Even though he was at the receiving end of racism and all its Ills, George W. Carver never let it get better of him. Instead he looked to God for purpose, and steadfastly pursued it gracefully, and without prejudice to none. Carver’s achievements include an extensive research in agriculture, in Alabama. He also founded an industrial research lab, where he worked tirelessly on the development of hundreds of applications for new plants. Carver discovered more than 300 uses for peanuts, and hundreds more uses for soybeans, pecans and sweet potatoes.

What a sterling list of achievements, in the face of storms, struggles and bitters and often painful racial discrimination! How was he able to do it? These words of George W. Carver revels the secret for his stupendous success – “When I was young, I said to God, “God, tell me the mystery of the universe.” But God answered, “That knowledge is reserved for me alone.” So I said, “God, tell me the mystery of the peanut.” Then God said, “Well George, that’s more nearly your size.” And he told me.”

What humility and grace did George W. Carver displayed in the face of deep-seated prejudice, and disdainful racial discrimination. He never lost sight of His God, and the purpose for which he wished to live. May the LORD Jesus help us to learn from the life of George Washington Carver, and be fruitful for God and His kingdom.