Kentucky church bans interracial couples

As we approach 2012, the  resistance to paradigm shifts continues to gasp for last breaths in shocking ways. A Kentucky church, to promote ‘greater unity’ recently passed a resolution banning interracial couples from being members and participating in parts of worship: Interracial Couple Banned From Kentucky Church.  ”Greater unity” appears to be code for “let’s just have white people here.”

The outcry against this action has led the church to reconsider their decision and overturn the ban. Unfortunately, it appears that serious soul searching and recognition of deep seated bigotry was not part of the process. The pastor declared the ban to be null and void because the bylaws can’t run contrary to local, state, or national laws that would judge this as discriminatory.  Church in Kentucky Overturns Ban After Outcry

Apparently, the legal issue has forced the hand of this church rather than giving priority to a moral imperative for justice and equity.  Have these people read their Bible lately?

When our soul is lost, where shall we find it?

I wore my clergy robes and joined my colleagues in a walk to Occupy Seattle this week. I went to listen and learn, in search of ways our nation might be trying to reclaim its soul.

I sometimes wonder if our soul even knows where to find us, smothered as we are by greed, fear, and cynicism. Yet, I hear a cry from under the buried parts of ourselves yearning for a miracle renewal of wholeness and decency towards one another. It is a dialogue that needs both the 1% and the 99% if we are to survive.

Theologian Leonardo Boff reminds us that even when life as we know it seems about to be extinguished, life beyond us has another agenda:

The Spirit is that little flicker of fire burning at the bottom of the woodpile. More rubbish is piled on, rain puts out the flame, wind blows the smoke away. But underneath everything an ember still burns on, unquenchable. The Spirit sustains the feeble breath of life in the empire of death.

What does it mean for an empire of death to die? It does not go easily into its grave. Perhaps we will find our soul when we are ready to go into those places we most deeply fear and bury the lies we have told ourselves. It will hurt. We will grieve for a life we’ve known even if it has been strangling us because we know how to play the roles we have been taught matter the most.

Now we wrestle with questions like who decides what matters the most? For whose benefit are institutions making their decisions? What voices are left out of the conversation? How can we make it different?

I praise the searching, as messy and confused and difficult as it may be. For to give up the search, is to assume our soul has died and can’t be found. I choose to believe differently. Join me in the search; your voice matters.

Blackface students at Montreal university “welcome” new frosh

Business students at a Montreal university recently welcomed first year students at an athletic week event by painting themselves in blackface to represent Jamaican sprinters, shouting “Smoke more weed,” with some wearing attire with monkey faces and a least one in the group holding up a stuffed monkey. Blackface stunt at Montreal University

 

Tongue tied with language

I was talking with a student the other day who was trying to decide whether to risk talking to someone in power.  He was worried about the impact of his actions and any repercussions that might occur. Several times I found myself ready to say something and had to pull myself back.

White legislators, Indian mascots, and legalizing racism

The North Dakota legislature recently passed a law to force the University of North Dakota to keep its Fighting Sioux mascot.  The University, which was set to comply with N.C.A.A. requirements that prohibit such mascot use, now faces either N.C.A.A. penalties or consequences for breaking state law.

The courage to risk getting stuck

Saturday afternoon I was driving home on a side road when I noticed ahead of me a man and a woman in electric wheelchairs moving down the street.  I slowed down and watched as suddenly the wheels of one chair went in a rut at the side of the road and got stuck. The person was unable to move the wheelchair out. I stopped my car and got out.

I voted for Obama

I voted for Obama is a seemingly obvious statement about a choice and yet the context in which it is said can change the meaning.  Reading a recent post on The Daily Race blog reminded me of this.

You will sit next to me?

Tonight I am appreciative of a white woman I do not know and will likely never meet. Yesterday she sat next to a friend of mine.

What I learned about generosity from Lakota students

I’m thinking tonight of the Lakota students at Sinte Gleska University in South Dakota and their stories of resistance and resilience within our country’s horrific history of death and destruction of indigenous people. I’m pondering how they can speak of maintaining a spirit of generosity through it all.

What stories are we telling to the children?

At the Seattle airport recently, I was asked at a Borders bookstore to contribute to a children’s book drive for the Shriners hospitals.  I agreed and asked the clerk how much was the donation. She pointed to a group of Golden Books and said, “just pick one.”