I participated in my first webinar a month or two ago. The topic for shared learning and discussion was ”Healing Wounds of Privilege.” Today I realize that while I’ve never intentionally been a part of “white privilege,” I have participated in it as a system active in our culture. From the vantage point of 70 years, I see this truth.
In my growing up years, there was a “colored” section of town, there were “colored” schools, and “colored” churches. There were separate water fountains and restrooms. I could go into the movie theatre by one door, but “coloreds” went in by another door and had to sit in the balcony. On the buses in our town, there was one seat for “coloreds” in the back and the rest had to stand; “coloreds” could buy things in the drug store, but couldn’t sit down and eat. It never seemed fair to me, but it’s just the way things were.
I watched the movie “The Green Book” a few nights ago, and learned many things. “The Green Book” was a book to help black people travel safely through the south – giving them listings of safe places to stay the night, stop for meals, etc. It’s the story of a black, educated musician from the north, who hired a white man to drive him through the south on tour. As they travel together they help each other to grow in understanding.
Did you know that some southern towns had a sundown rule, and “coloreds” could not be out and about after sundown without being arrested, beaten, or worse? I never forget the scene where the “coloreds” working in the fields watched as the white man changed the black man’s tire on the roadside on a steamy day down south. That was in the 50’s and 60’s – my growing up years, yet I was for the most part unaware of it all. I remember hearing about “civil rights” for the first time when I was in college; I didn’t learn the story of Emmett Till until I heard of it in a sermon at Montreat in the summer of 2008.
From the perspective of 70 years, I’m coming to understand what is means by “white privilege,” and continue to grow in my understanding of being a part of it. Privilege harms everyone – those excluded by it, and those enjoying. Special rights, advantage, and immunity are granted or available only to a particular person or group – some folks have an “unearned social advantage.”
Whatever can I, at 70 years of age do with what I’m learning? The webinar suggested three important things: acknowledge harm, reach out to help, participate in healing. The call is to a national reckoning that will lead to a spiritual renewal. In Ephesians 3 we read that the Gentiles (the outsiders) become fellow members, sharers in the promise, members of the same family. In II Corinthians 5, we are called to the ministry of reconciliation. Christians must offer a response rooted and established in the love of God. It’s a national, local, church and personal problem, calling for “a three-fold response with our head, our heart and our hands.”
Amy Julie Becker has written an extraordinary book- White Pickett Fences, showing how a life behind a white picket fence can restrict even as it protects, and how it can prevent us from loving our neighbors well. “Privilege so often involves a conspiracy to forget, and this book gently, unflinchingly insists that we remember. But it also helps us believe that in a world so often torn by violence and indifference, love can still have the last and best word….and lead to the discovery of our common humanity, beneath our differences.”
While listening to NPR today, I heard this: “America has a legal system, but not always a justice system.” That gives me lots to think about in the days to come! I give thanks for daring new thoughts, ideas and possibilities and for folks who share them, and for those streams of mercy, never ceasing.
Elizabeth
A phone call came today, telling of the death of a member in my first church in central Virginia, and I set to remembering that dear friend and the blessing she was in my life. It’s been said that people come into our lives for a reason, or a season or a lifetime. I will remember the reason and that season we shared for a lifetime.
She was a person of strong faith, and she knew how to share her faith with others in ways that helped them to draw upon their own faith, and strengthen their hands in God. I was single-parenting two teen-agers and a middle schooler, and I came to appreciate her wisdom, strength and understanding. When I would come to a point, and be unable to see the way around or through, a visit with her would bring encouragement and hope. If I would feel “stuck” in my circumstances of the moment, she seemed always to know what to say or do to help me to get moving again.
Knowing I was from Kentucky, she learned that I had a special fondness for Apple Stack Cake. I don’t think she’d ever heard of one before, but one day she made one just for me! Her chicken salad was always a special treat for my girls. When the power was out and I had no water, she would call to say she had power and lots of hot water, and to come on over! The meals we shared, the visits we had with neighbors, the ways we worked together to help others, were a special part of my ministry in that special place.
Her care of her “special” son was a beautiful thing to see. She was a strong advocate for him and did all she could to make his life rich and full. A visit with him was always a part of our times together. I smile thinking of their joyful reunion, and I thank all her children for the joy their mother brought to my life.
I’m grateful our paths crossed on life’s journey and will carry a bit of the love we shared in my heart always. I give thanks for faithful ones who have been a part of my journey of life and faith, and for those streams of mercy, never ceasing!
Elizabeth
We’re standing on the threshold of the season of Lent, that period of 40 days preceding Easter. As we move through these forty days, we are reminded that we’re on a journey – a journey through the wilderness to the cross.
It’s been said Lent is “a time to take the time…” Lent is a time to reflect on the life of Jesus and to reflect on our own lives; a time to go out into the wilderness and listen for the voice of God. As a people, we are busy and over-committed, weary and anxious, fearful and wandering. While slowing down and clearing a space for reflection is what we need to do, for most of us, it’s the last thing we would think about doing!
What kind of message are we sharing as we live from day to day? If we knew our days were numbered, what changes would we make? If we had the opportunity to say just one more thing to those we love, what would we say? What is it about ourselves that we would like to change or learn to accept, with God’s help?
During these 40 days, let’s make time for Bible study and prayer in our personal devotions. Let’s come have a bowl of soup and a sandwich with our church family and be a part of this year’s Lenten Study – “Meeting Jesus.” If Sunday School or singing in the choir is not a habit, let’s give it a try during the Lenten season. Let’s write those notes of encouragement and appreciation, and make those phone calls and visits we’ve intended to make. Take a casserole to someone, or ask someone out to lunch; bring extra food for Matthew 25:40 and take more cans of food to the Food Bank. Give to the One Great Hour of Sharing.
With Ash Wednesday only a few days away, Ann Weems poem by that name has much to say to us:
“Ash Wednesday,
and we are on our way
to Your Way. O Lamb of God,
have mercy upon us and
keep us from all the smallness of our lives
that would take precedence over
kneeling in Jerusalem.”
May each of us take time to make the journey and listen for God during this Lenten season. May we hear afresh the voice of God, see more clearly the need around us, and discover the persons God created us to be.
“Traveling mercies. Love the journey. God goes with you. Come home safe and sound.”
(from Traveling Mercies, by Ann Lamott)
Elizabeth