Chicago, Illinois—Two weeks ago, I finished reading Shelby Steele's new book, The Content of our Character. It is truly uncanny how Skinner slips right into the stereotypical "black rage' ranting and raving about statistical arguments (with no comment on the character points raised by Martin Luther King, Jr. and again by Steele)..
Unlike the typical white liberals who usually react in choreographed fashion with submission and agreement, however, I found it very stimulating to see that whoever was asking the questions of Skinner was not sitting back and taking his answers uncritically but was prodding him with very intelligent questions to get beyond what Steele in essence describes as "innocence mongering.".
I had never heard Skinner speak, nor had I read anything he has written, until this experience. I found his comments about there being no difference between Christian whites and non-Christian whites to be pretty appalling. It makes me wonder why he is using the platform of a Christian Jubilee conference to present basically secular "circle the wagons" economic arguments similar to some of the more extreme things advocated by Wallace D. Muhammad. His closing statistics seem to advocate sort of a "junk food soteriology" similar to the failed campaign against Nike shoes by the operation PUSH and NAACP organizations. Those organizations seem to think that blacks should run the shoe company because blacks buy a lot of their shoes..
On the whole, people who read this type of thing will be moved to the conclusion that Skinner is undermining the very good will he has been able to foster as a result of his past inner-city, discrimination, and gang experiences. Perhaps secular writers such as Shelby Steele (at least in his book) have more to offer thinking Christians-more than "fast food" indictments of one race by members of another, that is.—Edward N. Tiesenga.
Washington, D.C.—I was both pleased and dismayed by Tom Skinner's frank discussion of the racism that divides black and white America. I am pleased and grateful to the Public Justice Report for providing a vehicle for a voice from the African-American community to be heard. Tom's voice expressed truth, anger, outrage, resolve. Most of all, he challenged white America—especially Christian white America—to root out the racism deeply embedded in us and in the best of our institutions..
I am discouraged, however, by the lack of racial reconciliation Tom believes he sees in our country. Although I am reluctant to admit it, I agree with him. For the past six years I have lived as a minority white woman in a variety of Washington, D.C. inner-city neighborhoods. I have fellowshipped at Howard University and have attended a predominantly black Catholic Church. For the past two-and-a-half years I have lived in an urban Christian community called Esther House in which part of our house covenant is to "love our neighbor." Our neighbors are African American, Chinese, and Hispanic. The cultural barriers bring a new meaning and challenge to loving our neighbor. It has been a labor of difficult love, prayer, and commitment that has reaped the sweet and rich fruit of diversity in embracing people different from myself..
From my experience, you might think I understand this black/white thing. In all honesty, there is so much I don't understand-—especially, the pain and despair that I see. In the inner city, rampant drug abuse, violent crime, unequal education, unemployment, and poverty are glaring reminders of racism's effects on the African American community..
However, Tom is right to say that we should not confuse racism with classism. Racism is just as operative in the middle class; the only difference is that it is often disguised, simmering under the surface of good will. The more slick the patronizing smile the more deadly the farce, because then the sin cannot even be named. I'm afraid that is what is happening in our churches. We don't see the racism because we don't have our eyes open and we haven't listened to what African Americans are saying. You only need to have one African American friend to know that racism is alive and well..
Tom said that white people of good will must help, but he didn't say how. I would like to offer a few simple first steps for individuals or church communities who desire to participate in God's reconciling work. First, go to those you know in the African-American community and ask them to tell you their story. (If you don't know any African Americans, find out where they live in your city and what activities they attend, and become an observer.) Listen openly, honestly, and with sincerity to what they have to say. Don't be afraid to ask stupid or difficult questions; if you are being sincere, you will be received. Don't be afraid of the hurt, hatred, and anger you may discover. Some of it may be your own. Daring to struggle is part of what I believe the apostle Paul meant when he spoke of rejoicing in the fellowship of Jesus' suffering..
Second, make time to reflect on your own attitudes, prejudices, questions—what you do and don't understand. You may find the need to ask God and your brother or sister for forgiveness; repentance and forgiveness must flow both ways between the African-American and white communities..
Third, ask your African-American friends how they would like you to assist them in their struggle for equality. Don't assume or impose remedies, policies, or charity no matter how wonderful or effective you might think they would be. I don't believe white people have the answer. Nor do I believe, as Tom asserts, that the answer must come from within the African-American community. If this is a black/white problem, then the solution must come from a black-white effort. From the dialogue will come creative, new ways to break down the barriers, to bring healing to wounded spirits, to preserve the healthy differences, and to empower people to contribute and become whole..
Lastly, don't get lost in the dialogue. We all must take action in our own lives and in the institutions—churches, schools, organizations, and government—in which we participate. When our African-American friends respond to our question "What can I do?", we must be willing to receive the answer. It may very well involve change, sacrifice, and risk in doing things on unfamiliar territory. It may involve trying new worship styles, stepping down from leadership positions to allow more African Americans into the decision-making process, designing new public policies, or the sharing of hard-earned resources. My roommate sports a wonderful sign on her door that says "the only part of the Bible we believe is the part we obey." For Christian white Americans to love our neighbor means that we must love our African-American brothers and sisters. We have read Tom Skinner's cry against the prevailing injustices. Are we ready to love him and his people and to work together for reconciliation, not in South Africa, but right here, beginning with you and me?—Joan Orgon
Chicago, Illinois—Two weeks ago, I finished reading Shelby Steele's new book, The Content of our Character. It is truly uncanny how Skinner slips right into the stereotypical "black rage' ranting and raving about statistical arguments (with no comment on the character points raised by Martin Luther King, Jr. and again by Steele).. Unlike the typical white liberals who usually react in choreographed fashion with submission and agreement, however, I found it very stimulating to see that whoever was asking the questions of Skinner was not sitting back and taking his answers uncritically but was prodding him with very intelligent questions to get beyond what Steele in essence describes as "innocence mongering.". I had never heard Skinner speak, nor had I read anything he has written, until this experience. I found his comments about there being no difference between Christian whites and non-Christian whites to be pretty appalling. It makes me wonder why he is using the platform of a Christian Jubilee conference to present basically secular "circle the wagons" economic arguments similar to some of the more extreme things advocated by Wallace D. Muhammad. His closing statistics seem to advocate sort of a "junk food soteriology" similar to the failed campaign against Nike shoes by the operation PUSH and NAACP organizations. Those organizations seem to think that blacks should run the shoe company because blacks buy a lot of their shoes.. On the whole, people who read this type of thing will be moved to the conclusion that Skinner is undermining the very good will he has been able to foster as a result of his past inner-city, discrimination, and gang experiences. Perhaps secular writers such as Shelby Steele (at least in his book) have more to offer thinking Christians-more than "fast food" indictments of one race by members of another, that is.—Edward N. Tiesenga. Washington, D.C.—I was both pleased and dismayed by Tom Skinner's frank discussion of the racism that divides black and white America. I am pleased and grateful to the Public Justice Report for providing a vehicle for a voice from the African-American community to be heard. Tom's voice expressed truth, anger, outrage, resolve. Most of all, he challenged white America—especially Christian white America—to root out the racism deeply embedded in us and in the best of our institutions.. I am discouraged, however, by the lack of racial reconciliation Tom believes he sees in our country. Although I am reluctant to admit it, I agree with him. For the past six years I have lived as a minority white woman in a variety of Washington, D.C. inner-city neighborhoods. I have fellowshipped at Howard University and have attended a predominantly black Catholic Church. For the past two-and-a-half years I have lived in an urban Christian community called Esther House in which part of our house covenant is to "love our neighbor." Our neighbors are African American, Chinese, and Hispanic. The cultural barriers bring a new meaning and challenge to loving our neighbor. It has been a labor of difficult love, prayer, and commitment that has reaped the sweet and rich fruit of diversity in embracing people different from myself.. From my experience, you might think I understand this black/white thing. In all honesty, there is so much I don't understand-—especially, the pain and despair that I see. In the inner city, rampant drug abuse, violent crime, unequal education, unemployment, and poverty are glaring reminders of racism's effects on the African American community.. However, Tom is right to say that we should not confuse racism with classism. Racism is just as operative in the middle class; the only difference is that it is often disguised, simmering under the surface of good will. The more slick the patronizing smile the more deadly the farce, because then the sin cannot even be named. I'm afraid that is what is happening in our churches. We don't see the racism because we don't have our eyes open and we haven't listened to what African Americans are saying. You only need to have one African American friend to know that racism is alive and well.. Tom said that white people of good will must help, but he didn't say how. I would like to offer a few simple first steps for individuals or church communities who desire to participate in God's reconciling work. First, go to those you know in the African-American community and ask them to tell you their story. (If you don't know any African Americans, find out where they live in your city and what activities they attend, and become an observer.) Listen openly, honestly, and with sincerity to what they have to say. Don't be afraid to ask stupid or difficult questions; if you are being sincere, you will be received. Don't be afraid of the hurt, hatred, and anger you may discover. Some of it may be your own. Daring to struggle is part of what I believe the apostle Paul meant when he spoke of rejoicing in the fellowship of Jesus' suffering.. Second, make time to reflect on your own attitudes, prejudices, questions—what you do and don't understand. You may find the need to ask God and your brother or sister for forgiveness; repentance and forgiveness must flow both ways between the African-American and white communities.. Third, ask your African-American friends how they would like you to assist them in their struggle for equality. Don't assume or impose remedies, policies, or charity no matter how wonderful or effective you might think they would be. I don't believe white people have the answer. Nor do I believe, as Tom asserts, that the answer must come from within the African-American community. If this is a black/white problem, then the solution must come from a black-white effort. From the dialogue will come creative, new ways to break down the barriers, to bring healing to wounded spirits, to preserve the healthy differences, and to empower people to contribute and become whole.. Lastly, don't get lost in the dialogue. We all must take action in our own lives and in the institutions—churches, schools, organizations, and government—in which we participate. When our African-American friends respond to our question "What can I do?", we must be willing to receive the answer. It may very well involve change, sacrifice, and risk in doing things on unfamiliar territory. It may involve trying new worship styles, stepping down from leadership positions to allow more African Americans into the decision-making process, designing new public policies, or the sharing of hard-earned resources. My roommate sports a wonderful sign on her door that says "the only part of the Bible we believe is the part we obey." For Christian white Americans to love our neighbor means that we must love our African-American brothers and sisters. We have read Tom Skinner's cry against the prevailing injustices. Are we ready to love him and his people and to work together for reconciliation, not in South Africa, but right here, beginning with you and me?—Joan Orgon
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