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The ability to discern God's judgment on race and
racism and the ways we express and maintain them calls for another step: the
willingness to expose, resist and challenge them in everyday places. This
ability requires that we think and act differently. It also requires that we
participate in reconciling relationships and foster the development of a
sociocultural environment that makes it possible to express reconciliation. Most
of all, from the perspective of Christian faith, it requires the transforming
work of God. In this session members focus on these requirements, exploring what
is needed for reconciliation and the obstacles that stand in the way.
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Assignment before reading |
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Writing Assignment #1: |
Were you ever shut down by a parent, boss, co-worker, spouse, pastor or
friend in response to your asking "why" about something? Have you ever put
someone down when they asked you that question? Were you ever told or did
you ever say "Because I said so!" or "That’s just the way it is!" or
"Because the Bible says so!" If the answer to any of these questions is yes,
recall that situation and describe it. If you were the one who was shut
down, what was the reason for your question? What did you want to know or
do? If you were the one who shut down the other person, what was the reason
for your response? In either case, how did you experience that event, and
what was the outcome? Write down your thoughts.
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Now READ Chapter 5, pages 275-84 |
This section deals with the development of critical consciousness
regarding racism. It suggests that such thinking involves three things: (1)
recognizing and challenging the assumptions behind racism and its
expressions, (2) recognizing and challenging the influence of the
racialized context on our thinking and living, and (3) imagining and
exploring alternatives.
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Writing Assignment #2: |
Read the article "Color-Blinded"
by Michael Emerson and Christian Smith in the October 2, 2000 issue of
Christianity Today, and look for evidences of the absence of critical
consciousness in the stories told by the authors. Look for the presence of
critical consciousness in the author’s analysis. Take note of the assumptions,
contextual influence and alternatives (if any).
Then read Jared Taylor’s article, "The
Myth of Diversity" at the website of American Renaissance. Using critical
consciousness, write down what you think are the assumptions and contextual
influences operating in his presentation, and describe an alternative.
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Now READ Chapter 5, pages 284-99 |
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Writing Assignment #3: |
This section discusses racial reconciliation as a way of life expressing
the new humanity. It focuses on five "requirements" for living out
reconciliation (repentance, forgiveness, relationship, church and
sociocultural transformation). Read through this section again and for each
of the five requirements identify what you think is its central element,
what it is that makes it a requirement for reconciliation from the point of
view of Christian faith convictions. Write out these central elements.
Then describe what it would mean for you to commit yourself to meeting these
requirements. What would you do differently? In what particular ways would this
commitment lead to reconciliation? What impact might it have on the spheres of
your everyday life?
Then describe the reasons why you should take up this commitment. And
finally, describe what inhibits or prevents you from taking it up. What are the
points of resistance in you?
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Writing Assignment #4: |
Read the statement, "Cry
For Renewal" at the website of Call to Renewal, and write down your
thoughts on how this document reflects critical consciousness.
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Suggestions
for Group Discussion |
- Share your insights from your reflection on your experience of asking (or
being asked) "why." Explore common and unique aspects in the reasons for
asking and the responses given.
- Critical consciousness involves challenging assumptions, but assumptions
are not always recognizable. Share and discuss some of the ways you unearthed
assumptions in the Emerson/Smith and Taylor articles (what questions you asked
and what indications of assumptions you saw). Then discuss how, as a group,
you might identify and challenge the assumptions in a racist situation in your
community (e.g., housing discrimination, resistance to diversity, hate crimes,
etc.).
- Discuss the implications of Stephen Carter’s view of "integrity" for your
involvement in contesting racism (discerning what is right and wrong, acting
on this discernment even at personal cost, and declaring that you are acting
on your discernment). In what sense does your group practice this integrity?
In what sense do the institutions of which you are a part practice integrity?
If integrity is not evident, why is that? What obstacles need to be removed in
order for integrity to be expressed?
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Focused
Question for Group Discussion |
The book ends with emphasis on the church as a community of the reconciled
and a call for transformation of the sociocultural order. Many individuals and
faith-based groups have responded to such a call and are working to dismantle
not only racism but other forms of inequality and injustice in our country. Do
you think it is an expression of Christian response-ability to work as
individuals and as faith-based communities to dismantle racism in the social,
political, economic and religious spheres? If so, identify some strategies that
address particular problems and explore how they express critical consciousness
and integral Christian witness. If not, what are the reasons to justify
non-involvement?
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