Have you seen the commercial for KIND bars that differentiates between being nice vs. kind? It speaks of the “other” bars as being nice for taking out artificial flavors and harmful chemicals, but defines themselves as kind because they never had to, they have only ever used wholesome ingredients.

In essence, nice does what it is told, whereas kind chooses to do what is right in the first place. I know, it’s a commercial about food, but bare with me for a minute, I think this applies to people as well.

We’ve been taught to be nice people. We smile and say hello, we try to mind our own business and not cause any trouble. Americans are taught to be nice. But, are we always kind? Are we willing to speak up even if it risks our comfort or reputation? Are we willing to risk being seen as not nice?

We live in a the comfort of post Jim Crow and perhaps feel a bit of pride at just how far we have come. “Separate, but equal” is no longer a common phrase spoken, but is still a deeply held prejudice that effects more than many of us may realize.

Turning on the news serves as a reminder that there are many hurting people in our country. Injustice, inequality and discrimination are still issues we are dealing with in 2018. Our borders are a mess, which I imagine most of us would agree regardless of the side we lean toward, and our country is desperate for a solution.

It’s easy for me to say that I’m not very political, but I am beginning to understand that this is a stance I’ve been afforded because I have never been hurt by the laws as some have.

We can look back over history and see how mistreated individuals were and claim that we would have been a hero, on the side of right. But, would we have been willing to break the discriminatory laws, risk of our own safety, compromise our social standing in order to fight for the dignity of all people? Are we willing to risk these things today?

Are we concerning ourselves with any of the people that Jesus referred to as the “least of these?” The ones who are hurting, marginalized and outcasts of our own society today?

Nice people made the best Nazis. My mom grew up next to them. They got along, refused to make waves, looked the other way when things got ugly and focused on happier things than “politics.” They were lovely people who turned their heads as their neighbors were dragged away. You know who weren’t nice people? Resisters. – Naomi Shulman

This quote convicts me to look outside of my own comfort, to really listen to the voices of those who look different than myself. I don’t want to turn a blind eye to the hurts and needs of others; I want to involve myself in the messy and uncomfortable in hopes of bringing about peace and justice for everyone.

I think we are living in an important and pivotal time in history. I pray that I will be brave. May I refuse to be paralyzed with the need to be nice when there are hurting people crying out for help. I pray this for you as well.

I pray that we will learn wisdom in discerning when we need to be quiet and listen, and when we need to raise our voices and take action.

Glennon Doyle posted a quote on social media this week in relation to the quote above. She said, “I wanna be Kind. Kin. I wanna live, love and fight like the hurting ones are my kin — family. They are.”

In a culture that values nice, I want to be kind. Kind to my kin. My family.

Perhaps nice is the way we learn to behave and get along, while kind reflects the character and integrity of who we really are. Nice prefers to stay passive; kind can’t help but take (necessary) action.

So, what’s it going to be? Nice or kind?