Categories: uncategorized
Date: 17 August 2012 09:56:45
There is an interesting article in The Baptist Times this week by Rev David Shosanya entitled "It is Time to Kick Racism Out of the Church". Within the article Shosanya makes the point that whatever we (white liberals) think racism exists within the structures and processes of the church. By "the church" he is talking about all of the mainline denominations. He likens the denominational hierarchies to football governing bodies in that they have a commitment to anti-racism but it still exists in their approach to things saying:
"Many White-led denominational structures and leaders can often demonstrate the same attitudes as footballing governing authorities. The apparent commitment to anti-racism and inclusion enshrined in policy statements, and posturing about how we are 'one in Christ' is often anaemic ‘when the rubber hits the road’. This is especially true when justice that requires the sharing or relinquishing of power, or proactive and un-coerced foresight when strategic decisions are made."
A very important point made within the article relates to white advocates who seek to act on behalf of black people. It's a good point which highlights that whilst allies can be useful they must not and cannot be seen as a real alternative to listening and empowering those from the groups themselves.
Reading through the article I was reminded once again of the definition of institutional racism given by Lord MacPherson in his report on the enquiry into the handling of the Stephen Lawrence enquiry.
"The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture, or ethnic origin. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people."
Key to this definition is the point that institutional racism is often not something intentional, rather it is something which emerges often through ignorance and thoughtlessness. It is therefore something which can occur through the well meant actions of people who would be devastated if they realised that they were being racist in anyway, and who as the article suggests actively seek to be anti-racist.
Moving to ways of being and acting which may combat this type of racism are likely to be difficult particularly in congregations and denominations which have seen ethnic and cultural shifts over time but whose procedures have been developed in line with the original ethnic mix and culture. Also churches are organisations whose practices and processes have often emerged as a result of cultural hegemony as much as through biblical or theological reflection.
For me the first step forward in engaging with the difficult debates surrounding ethnicity (as with debates relating to disability, age, class, gender identity and sexual orientation) is the need for us to understand all the cultures represented in our society and in our congregations by listening to those from the different groups and engaging with their stories as well as perhaps changing the ways in which we do things to perhaps nurture and develop a more diverse range of participation.
The understanding of cultural diversity (incorporating all the divisions of culture mentioned above and some which might not have been) flows in to our thinking and planning on worship, outreach and mission, small groups, involvement in social justice campaigns and so on. It cannot be (as I have heard somewhere recently) the other way round - that one looks at all the things which go on in church and then seek to see how they can be made diverse.
The article finally points to the issue of tokenism, (without directly using the term). I think this is a real danger area and one where we white middle class liberals often fail (and yes I am including myself strongly within that group of failures because I know I have been guilty). We tend to think along the lines of one swallow makes a spring by focusing on the successful steps to change and thinking that because they can be identified the challenge has been met.
I am not suggesting that this is an easy process or one which does not involve us thinking too of the place of the culture(s) which currently dominate. Take for example the white woman who has had it explained time keeping varies from culture to culture but still sees somebody being late for the beginning of a worship service as disrespectful her cultural background and values also need to be understood and valued. There are conflicts in our understandings which will inevitably emerge but there will also be huge surprises in the way others think, engage and are willing to accommodate other people. As I was reminded recently we need to be careful not to assume and misjudge others, creating wedges where they don't exist. As within any organisation, community or family the key has to be communication where we seek to engage in careful listening.