More Baby Steps as We Crawl Toward Reconciliation (by Shane Claiborne)
[see all posts in this conversation on New Monastics and race.]
In addition to the steps mentioned in my previous post, I also wanted to share some things that go beyond our local community to the broader New Monastic movement and my role in it. As I said before, I don't want to give any impression that we've figured this out, or to boast "look at all I'm doing!" It certainly has been difficult and not without much sweat, tears, and mistakes. But here goes:
- Countering whiteness. We have currently initiated several projects to work against the homogeneity of "the movement." Every month we host a gathering on radical discipleship (for four days) that is limited to around 20 folks to insure diversity (old/young, male/female, ethnicity, denominational). This means that we have to limit the number of white folks (and end up saying no to about 20 for each white participant who comes). We also have different communities hosting every month to give exposure to the many beautiful, diverse forms community takes, and we have been especially excited to celebrate communities led by people of color.
- Affirmative Action. As a speaker, I regularly turn down speaking engagements that do not have women or people of color in the lineup, and I let the organizers know why. I believe that every critique I give comes with the responsibility to try and suggest alternatives, so I also recommend women and people of color who are dynamic communicators to speak in my stead. I give priority to events organized by people of color and speak regularly at events such as Urban Youth Workers, CCDA, Pentecostals for Peace, etc., and I find these are a great place to listen and learn (not just speak).
- Economics. All speaking events we organize are free or on a "suggested donation" basis so as not to exclude anyone for financial reasons. We give away all proceeds of my books and resources, prioritizing "local revolutions" -- groups living among and led by folks in poverty (such as Coalition of Immokalee Workers, homeless coalitions, etc.).
- Politics. Our communities tend to be fairly peculiar in how we engage the political scene. Traditionally, we often resonate with the history of Christian anarchism and movements like the Anabaptists. We have also become very aware that there is a great degree of "privilege" that accompanies decisions like principled non-voting. We wrestle with this in Jesus for President, but many of us have also taken steps to submit our political voice to people of color or undocumented folks here in the U.S. A friend in the NAACP has said, "Affirmative action for white folks in the election is asking black folks who they should vote for." So many of our communities are doing exactly that.
All this is still certainly not enough -- but God is good to fill the gaps and work through the cracks of our feeble attempts to be faithful. So, again, I want to thank Vonetta and Jason for being the catalyst for reflection, and to cause me to take the pulse on where we are in the "active pursuit of a just reconciliation," to celebrate the steps we have made, and to insist that it is not enough. I guess that is why we begin with "lament." I leave today for a one-month sabbatical, but I eagerly look forward to hearing what others have to say in this conversation and will now "pass the mic" to others.
Shane Claiborne is the author of Jesus for President, a Red Letter Christian, and a founding partner of The Simple Way community, a radical faith community that lives among and serves the homeless in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia.
[see all posts in this conversation on New Monastics and race.]
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Comments
This is a good start. I am so glad we are having this conversation...it is a vital issue that we can't put on the back burner. It is easy for folks excited about new monasticism or radical intentional community to lapse into something akin to the "white man's burden."
But I can't help but note that these bits of wisdom haven't been as forefront in prominent NM books as they could have been. And while I understand that you're not trying to be defensive, you seem to basically side-step the issue a bit and thus make it easier for everyone else in the movement to say to themselves "we're doing ok...we don't need to change anything too much."
Posted by: Mark Van Steenwyk | September 2, 2008 3:26 PM
What is this new monasticism? Your movement on the service sounds all well and good. But, I'm concerned it may not bibical in its application. After, we are to be in the world and not of it. No where in scripture will you find monasticism. This is a tradition of man formed by the institutional church. Your mentioning of Christian Anarchism, another concept not taught in scripture. There were times when the apostles didn't adhere to the government but that was for the preaching of the gospel. You remember, salvation of mankind due to our sinfulness? I understand that Christians need to show the love of Christ to a lost and dying world. Good works without the Holy Ghost are useless in the eyes of God. Okay, you may empower all non-white peoples in this country, but if you forget or refuse to tell them they need to be born again, what does it profit them? They will end up empowered persons enternally seperated from God. How can you not forget that? And not permitting whites or should I say too many whites being part of your man made movement. Your high mindedness has blinded you. Are you shutting up the kingdom of God to whites? I know their are ways for all racial groups to come together in the name of Christ and minister to the needs all persons. Haven't you forgotten that there is no favoritism with God? By refusing whites and refusing to speak at engagement due to not enough woman and minorities on the platform is further evidence of your high mindedness. You sir, aren't a representative of Jesus Christ of the Bible.
Posted by: Ken | September 2, 2008 4:36 PM
Ken: " You sir, aren't a representative of Jesus Christ of the Bible."
Ken, please spend a few minutes Googling "Shane Claiborne." He's one of the finest representatives of Jesus Christ that I'm aware of.
Posted by: carl copas | September 2, 2008 4:56 PM
Posted by: Ken | September 2, 2008 4:36 PM
I agree with carl - even though I may disagree with some of his precieved outcomes to certain situations. I find that Shane is a true believer and one that I would be out-gunned in a debate.
I would never say what you have labeled him of not being - I leave labeling for someone else to do.
All the Time - God is Good
.
(see if this one makes it - )
Posted by: big guy | September 2, 2008 6:00 PM
I don't know Ken from Adam, but some of his point is worth making. I have also found that while following a long list of rules, no matter what those rules are, while it seems to make us more obedient; it generally appeals to the flesh more than the Spirit.
Self control is a fruit of the Spirit, but sometimes we can use obedience as a method of control, besides pride and all that other nasty stuff.
I don't know Shane either, so I cannot speak about him, but there is a danger when we have lots of rules that people misinterpret those rules as the message and even the spirit of the rules get lost in the mix.
Posted by: frankie | September 2, 2008 7:49 PM
And not permitting whites or should I say too many whites being part of your man made movement. Your high mindedness has blinded you. Are you shutting up the kingdom of God to whites? I know their are ways for all racial groups to come together in the name of Christ and minister to the needs all persons. Haven't you forgotten that there is no favoritism with God?
Unfortunately, Christians themselves have played favorites -- indeed, we have a legacy of racism we're now just now getting a handle on, and denial of that reality will not help in the healing process. BTW, it's not about "shutting up the kingdom of God to whites" -- it's about opening it up to blacks while recognizing the necessity of allowing their story to be told in their context.
While it is true that "there is no Gentile or Jew, slave or free ... " in Christ Jesus, that doesn't mean there aren't serious differences or that we should simply forget about them. You see, when we do forget we tend to run roughshod over certain people because they don't fit our idea of what Christians should be and do. That's the real tragedy.
Posted by: Rick | September 2, 2008 11:56 PM
1. As I understand it, New Monasticism is about forming Christian communities in the midst of the forgotten places of the Empire, embodying Christ's love among those who have suffered greatly because of the "powers that be."
2. One specific sin that humankind need to be rescued from by being "born again"= racism, understood not as simple prejudice or bigotry but the system of white privilege that continues in this country.
3. The "Jesus criterion" for determining whether we are really followers or not... John 13:34... they'll know we are Christians by our love.
4. The "Jesus standard of evaluation" when the nations are judged... Matthew 25... how we treat the least of the these.
5. The domination system says, "Get power, control others, lord it over them, take the prime time speaking slots." The kingdom is the reverse, "The last shall be first and the first shall be last. The greatest of all is the servant of all." I applaud Shane's decision to step out of the "spotlight," allowing other gifted leaders to share from their perspective/history.
Bottom line. Racism is a white peoples' problem. We are the ones who need to repent. We have been the ones benefiting from the system. From my rocking chair, Shane is leading a difficult, challenging journey in taking steps toward repentance.
That's how I see it, just getting out of bed, still in my PJs, hope that's not TMI (too much information).
Treasured people, treasure people,
Duh-sciple
Posted by: Duh-sciple | September 3, 2008 7:16 AM
Black people, brown people, whatever people can be racist. You are limiting the definition of racism to slavery in this (and a few other) countries.
Blacks need to value whites as God's creations just a much as Koreans have to value Japanese. Same is true for Jews and Muslims.
Posted by: frankie | September 3, 2008 9:42 AM
Black people, brown people, whatever people can be racist.
True -- I'm black but had to confess my own racism when I was 11 or 12. Thing is, blacks have generally been shut out when it came to making policy, which is why whites have had to make the overtures to blacks. I thought it was telling that the TV producer wanted to focus on the whites moving into the black neighborhood to "save it" and Shane wisely refused to make that the story. People have often said that blacks need to "take responsibility" but have a problem with their being in authority.
As my formerly-all-white began to diversify it began to seek out black elders -- not a problem, because by that point there was a sufficient number who met the qualifications -- not simply for the sake of "diversity" but to let them know, "You too have a stake in this ministry."
Posted by: Rick | September 3, 2008 10:25 AM
Duh-sciple, I think that was the best response about the New Monasticism movement I've ever read.
Posted by: Robb | September 3, 2008 12:53 PM
It's me again. I apologize to Shane and to all who had to read my diatribe. I'm still learning about this thing called grace. Just because someone does it differently doesn't mean they are wrong. I was riding my high horse called self-righteousness and makes me an enemy of Christ when I do stupid things like that.
Forgive me for my outburst.
Blessings,
Ken
Posted by: Ken | September 3, 2008 4:35 PM
Ken,
If this last post was truly you, then you just taught us all much about the things this post tried to address.
In an atmosphere as politically tense as ours, it is difficult to apologize. Blog culture drives all of us to focus on being right rather than doing right, and your apology and humility has been truly counter cultural. The issue of racism will be best dealt with by people who are willing to let go of their positions and opinions and open themselves up to listen to and learn from their sisters and brothers.
Thank you.
Posted by: Ben | September 3, 2008 7:53 PM
Posted by: Ken | September 3, 2008 4:35 PM
Thanks for your comments - we have all been there and need to ratch the labeling and disrespectful comments back. I know that first hand and have had a few people take me to task. We're human and have failings. (I being a big human at times have bigger failings - LOL!)
Blessings -
.
Posted by: big guy | September 3, 2008 8:03 PM
I love what Shane's doing. He's attempting to right wrongs and not just talk about them. I have been blessed by his example and writings.
Yet I find affirmative action within churches to be misplaced. I am white, but spent a couple years serving in a entirely black church under the leadership of a black pastor. It was one of the best experiences of my life. But what I discovered was that churches are not so much divided by race as it is culture.
Our race is can be reflective of our culture. These cultures are oftentimes found along race lines, but you also see them in the midst of the same race. Whether it's upper/lower class economically, political tendencies, or even charismatic/liturgical expressions. Churches do tend to divide on race, but most divisions are defined by our culture even within our race groups.
In my research, there are a handfull of multi-racial churches. But all these churches tend to not be multi-cultural. So any time we talk about bringing races together, we have to recognize that it's more than getting a bunch of people who look different in the room. We still have to deal with cultural differences that play a role in our segregation.
Does racism exist? Yup. Should it be addressed? Yup. Is affirmative action the answer? I'm not sure. It's a great step, but I feel it's a bit narrowminded. I agree with Shane, we don't need another church. But what we have to recognize is that THE church isn't defined by who we can gather into a building. The bride is multi-colored, multi-cultural, and tragically beautiful. But we have to have a broader view of the church. Only then can we recognize that the church scattered isn't that bad as long as we're always looking for ways to intersect and interact across divisions that tend to divide us.
Posted by: John | September 4, 2008 1:16 PM
Ken,
Wow. I'm really amazed by your comments. You have truly modeled humility. I'm more guilty of getting on my high horse than any one I know and I've never humbly asked for forgiveness the way you have.
Good work.
Posted by: Goat | September 4, 2008 6:04 PM
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