This book was hard for me. Channing-Brown is a black woman, raised in a mostly white educational system with work experience in mostly white Christian non-profits and churches. It was an eye-opener from an honest perspective. Still, I was a bit hurt and frustrated by some of her anger. One chapter talks about how, in the course of one day, she faces forms of racism, unknowingly committed by well-intentioned white co-workers. Things like her ideas not being heard in a meeting until a white person "re-phrases"them; or someone touching her hair without permission; or repeated suggestions that she extend more grace to others who mistreat her in racist ways. I am trying to learn, but some of her thoughts do not resonate well. I know that I have touched African American hair...but I have also repeatedly touched white people's hair, without permission. I have never felt it reflected racism but just open interest in beautiful styles. I also was puzzled by her dismay at having to continually "teach" whites about the Black culture and other questions they have... but if we are interested in improving our understanding--these questions need to be asked and explanations need to be given. As our Evangelical church begins to focus on being a Church for All Nations, it makes me wonder if it is even possible. Channing-Brown loves the security and traditions in her Black Church. She attends because of the shared cultural values and the need NOT to explain those various faith traditions with the white community. It's a place where African Americans come together because they "get" one another. So where does this leave us? I want to grow in my thinking, I want to discard some of my baggage and fears. I want to recognize "white privilege"and not expect my black brothers and sisters to think like us or be like us. We both need to reach across the aisle to appreciate and value the cultures and distinctions from which we come. The 2 following pages helped me understand a bit more about our history of "whiteness" from the Black community's perspective.
 |
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Compared to the Channing Brown book above, Loritts speaks eloquently and logically about the problems in how the evangelical church has unwisely handled (or not handled) race issues. The theme is the same, but this author resonated much more effectively with me; because he didn't use his emotions to convey the glaring issues. I know he has been hurt, rejected, ignored and frustrated about his experiences--just as Channing Brown, however his voice is quieter and more compelling to me. I am reading on racism in this season for 2 reasons: 1) in order to understand what my multi ethnic grandsons will face in the upcoming years and 2) in order to understand what it will entail for our 80% white congregation to embrace diversity more fully and become a "House of Prayer for all Nations".
Bill and I fully support his basic premise: in order to be a truly multi-ethnic church, we need multi-ethnic staff members who get equal "power" on the boards and in staff settings. It appears that some churches engage other-ethnicity staff, but fail to hear and act upon their ideas. Our biggest problem is that we want them to join us and "become like us" rather than us realizing the input and impact they can make by bringing differences to the table. Highly recommend.
No comments:
Post a Comment