I have no idea where I got that idea because it wasn't like I was surrounded by black people in those early years. Even by the time I was finishing high school there were maybe three African Americans in my graduating class. It wasn't until college that there were a significant representation of black people in my everyday life. My first college roommate was an African American guy named Wayne Simms. It didn't take me too long to realize that Wayne used different products in his hair than I did and that he used a lot of lotion on his body every day (I later learned that was so he didn't get "ashy").
Years later I found myself as a youth pastor at a beautifully racially diverse church in Allentown, PA. I felt myself being drawn much more to the black and Latino students than I was to the white students. I made sure we played music that was culturally relevant to their lives... feeling in my heart that the white students had plenty of youth groups they could attend that would represent their culture if all they wanted was a homogeneous environment.
In those years Darian Colbert became my best friend and still is today. Is it possible that my desire for a black friend as a child was something placed in me from the heart of God?
Several years ago while in Atlanta, GA together, Darian and I watched the movie "Remember The Titans" together and cried as the movie told the true story of a white and and a black high school football player forced to play on the same team in the 1970's due to school integration.Just a few weeks ago Darian and I spent four days together in Guatemala as he experienced his first time being out of the country.
Through our friendship and other meaningful friendships with black and Latino friends... and now from my experiences in Guatemala and having a daughter from Nepal, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for being able to say that my life experience has been multi-cultural.
By God's grace I have had the opportunity to experience relationships that truly express His heart for reconciliation among all people.
During the election coverage last night, one commentator said, "We know that racism is a stain on America's history...". I must say that racism is much more than a "stain" on our history. It is a deep and dark part of our history that I believe needs to be redeemed.
As President-Elect Obama gave his speech last night he spoke of Ann Nixon Cooper and her 106 years of life in America as an African-American woman. He talked of how she was born at a "a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin".
She voted early the other day as she "she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change".
She has experienced the redemption process through decades of American history...
The redemption process took huge steps forward as Abraham Lincoln led over three million slaves to freedom through the Emancipation Proclamation.
The redemption process took huge steps forward as Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
The redemption process took huge steps backward as protesters attempted to peacefully march from Selma to Montgomery, but were beaten by state and local police with billy clubs after they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
The redemption took huge steps forward when the third march successfully made it to Montgomery.
The redemption took huge steps forward in 1963 through the March on Washington and as the the words "I have a dream" came from the mouth of an African-American Baptist preacher from Atlanta, Georgia.
The redemption process took huge steps backward in 1968 as "early morning April 4th... a shot rang out in a Memphis Sky" and Martin Luther King Jr. was slain.
The redemption process took huge steps forward last night as we elected Barack Obama to be the 44th President of the United States.
As I was writing this, Darian called me on my cell phone and told me ab0ut how he saw hope in the eyes of his African-American neighbors as they lined up on 2nd Street in Allentown, PA to vote yesterday. He ended the conversation by saying, "I called you this morning to tell you that last night we saw history made".
Amen, Darian.
May the redemption process continue...
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8 comments:
Great insight Bill. We are truly living in amazing and exciting times! Growing up where we did and when we did limited our exposure to ethnic and racial diversity. And while I did not seek out diverse friends the Air Force thrust me into a melting pot and you have to be able to trust everyone around you with your life. So, race became a non-issue. And when I first laid eyes on my now bride, I honestly thought nothing of race, I just really appreciated her shape:) Race didn't become an issue till we got our families involved (another story for another time). It seems to me God is continuing to tear down these barriers. I do believe the Church needs to be on the leading edge to truly reflect God's glory.
Have you noticed how many people we grew up with in such a "vanilla" era in Brewster have these amazing diverse friends and family? Maybe I'm shallow for noticing but, I think it's pretty cool.
At any rate, I appreciate your words.
Grace,
Brad
Makes you wonder what Wayne is up to these days.
BC
Is this Brian "BC" who I think it is? Send me an email address...
Hey, Bill! I appreciate your zeal for racial barriers to fall. I see it and feel it everyday here. When I walk down the streets, I get stared at. When I grocery shop, people gawk at me. When I catch a cab or ask for directions, all they hear is my foreign voice and not their mother language.
As a land of people from every nation in this world, America needs to break down racial barriers and stereotypes.
You and your leadership in my middle school and high school years helped me understand and love individuals who other leaders in my life felt prejudice against because of the color of their skin.
Now I live in a land, where I'm by far the minority. However, I don't see race. I see people. I love these people. I want them to know the Truth.
My hope is that America wakes up and listens to what McCain had to say in his concession speech. We need to become united.
My concern is for the youth of our nation and the direction of their lives. Also, I am concerned about the leaders they follow - whether popular entertainers, school officials, youth leaders, government officials, and especial parents.
America is in rough times right now. My hope lies in the One who controls it all. I will stand vigil for America and her people and hope that the next four years some of the social issues and heart issues will be solved by the One who can heals all wounds and solve all problems.
It will be good to hear from you - Brian.Clapier@gmail.com
I really like Stacy's comments. My hope is in "the One" as well. I remember when "W" was elected and then re-elected, and I read many articles about how there was was hope and security with a true Christian with Christian values in the white house. Today, Bush is the most unpopular president in American history. I'm a big fan of Obama, but I'm very skeptical of America's short term future, and even more skeptical of God's concern with America's economic growth. Barack Obama is a great man, but I think it's important to realize that he has just accepted the job of Caesar. As an American I'm proud, but as a Christian I remain slightly indifferent.
I have to say a black man I am happy to see a black man about to take office. As A Christian I am sickened by the black man chosen to lead this country. I was on Obama's bandwagon 4 years ago and got of in 2006. I would rather see a white man who will do more things in the will of God then a black man who will do things outside the will of God.
Matt, I fully respect your opinion (especially as a black man) and trust you have looked at this from all perspectives before coming to the conclusion you have.
While I respect your opinion, I am challenged by the thinking that somehow President-elect Obama will more "things outside the will of God" than say a President McCain would do. It seems as though for some Evangelical Christians there is some sort of litmus test that for them helps determine how "godly" a president is or would be... and that litmus test seems to be limited to just a couple "hot-button" issues and not the whole of Scripture (which includes issues of injustice, poverty, equal opportunity, how we treat our neighbors, etc.). I think it is important to look at all of these issues.
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