Horizons magazine is published by Presbyterian Women (PW) the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Issue link: http://horizons.epubxp.com/i/481579
30 A young African American man from Ferguson shouted obscenities into the microphone. I watched dejectedly as many white clergy exited the auditorium. I had journeyed to Saint Louis with several members of the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary community for the "Ferguson October" clergy protest. This event brought together Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy in nonviolent protest of the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, a little more than two months earlier. We had gathered in that auditorium for an interfaith service to pray for peace and to hear intellectual and activist Cornel West reflect on the tragic event that had taken place in Fergu- son. It didn't go as I had thought it would. Halfway through the service, a white man yelled a racially-charged statement. The auditorium would have broken into violence had it not been for many African American women who stood up and cried out for peace. When the mood calmed, the service continued. Several African American youth from the Ferguson community approached the podium and demanded to be heard. The first three youth spoke thoughtfully and calmly. The fourth broke down, and this was the young man who shouted obscenities into the microphone. The dehumaniza- tion of black bod- ies—exemplified by the shooting of Michael Brown—was too heavy a burden for him to carry alone. He cried out in anger. As he cried out, a number of white clergy left. Later, I departed the interfaith service, dis- traught. I was ashamed that my brothers and sisters in Christ tolerated (racist) shouting from one (white) per- son, but left as a (black) person shouted (using obsceni- ties). It showed me that, at best, some people feel ill-equipped to listen to anger, and that, at worst, some are unwilling. Hearing Anger As a white, middle-class woman from a Protestant church background, I often have received the message that express- ing anger is bad and unchristian—especially for women. Because of my experience, I can understand why so many of my fellow clergy people became anxious and uncomfort- able when the young man started yelling obscenities. How- ever, as people of faith, we must know that if we are to God Doesn't Always Tiptoe Through the Tulips Reflections on Racism, Anger and Compassion BY BETH RUHL J o s é O r t e g a