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
32 "den of robbers," then overturns their t ables and chases them out of the temple (Lk. 19:45–46). Scripture clearly illustrates that Jesus takes a firm stance against corruption and injustice. Shannon sees the parallels between this story and the problems in Fergu- son. She righteously exclaims, "I was arrested for the same reasons these young people have been, for peace- fully protesting the killing of Mike Brown. Because I am a white, middle- aged woman in a clergy collar, it is harder to portray me as a dangerous thug. My image does not ring the same racially coded bells. I hoped that my arrest might help expose the racist logic at work in American policing." Indeed, Christians should understand that God can be both angry and com- passionate. Examining Privilege and Prejudgments Activist, minister and student at Louisville Seminary, Traci Simmons, proclaims, "God's not always tip-toe- ing through the tulips, happy about what creation is doing. I mean, come on! A multitude of emotions come from the Creator we serve, and [anger] is just another level." Sim- mons argues that God can be angry with creation and that this is not a bad thing. "Sit in it! Just sit in it!" pro- claims Simmons as a way to begin to fully understand the righteous anger in the African American community. Kilen Gray, dean of students at Louisville Seminary, believes that many of the problems surrounding Ferguson stem from issues of privi- lege. But Kilen emphasizes that white communities cannot begin to address privilege without first cultivating compassion and accepting the humanity of their African American brothers and sisters. He explains, "The person really has to become aware of their prejudgments and their prejudices and be willing to examine those prejudices through whatever experience that they can have to do that, whether it is getting to know someone of another race or another situation in life." Kilen's hope is that people will really listen to each other, and perhaps hear something that they haven't heard before. The next step in this process is to start having real conversations about privilege. Kilen says, "People will be able to hear anger—such as a young man who expresses anger on the stage in Ferguson—if they are willing to understand that they have a tendency, based on their privilege, to dismiss that voice, and to really give some legitimacy to the experience that brings the anger." He further explains that "privilege presents a certain power over and not power with." If white people dismiss anger from African Americans as illegitimate solely because they have the power to do so, then an unhealthy form of privilege is present. White people need to hear and process the anger from the person who is expressing it so that they can understand where it is coming from. Here's What You Can Do Start conversations using these tools. Practicing God's Radical Hospitality: Exploring Difference, Change and Leadership Through the Spiritual Discipline of Hospitality Built around Bible study, this resource guides groups through discussions that will help build true community. The activities and questions help participants gain a better understanding of others, themselves and of the systems that influence their lives. This resource was published by Presbyterian Women. Order item PWR13060 through Presbyterian Distribution Service (PDS), 800/524-2612; $9 plus shipping. Becoming the Beloved Community Antiracism Resource Packet PW's antiracism toolkit—available with a DVD (item PWR10045) for $24.95 plus shipping or without a DVD (item PWR10046) for $14.95 plus shipping. Order through PDS. The Racism Study Pack The Thoughtful Christian's 11-session adult study pack on racism in America is designed to help start faithful, honest and freeing conversations about race and racism. It includes seven downloadable, individual study titles, created with a church audience in mind: "Why is it So Difficult to Talk about Racism?," "Racism 101," "The Bible and Racism," "A History of Racism in the United States," "White Privilege," "Is Affirmative Action Still Needed?," and "Do Segregated Churches Imply Racism?" Order item TC0385 from www.thethoughtfulchristian.com; $53 plus tax. T