Fierce Shepherds of Change

On May 4, I participated in a retreat facilitated by two members of a group called 'Beyond Diversity. This retreat was sponsored by the Summit Interfaith Clergy Council. This Council consists of all the houses of worship in Summit, NJ. There are Protestants, (both from mainline churches and the Black Church) Catholics, Jews, Unitarians, and Quakers who have as their charge to "seek the welfare of the city." We come together to support, diversity, affordable housing projects, anti substance abuse initiatives, the education of children and various other issues that help to make Summit a better community. Our retreat was for the purpose of talking about racism and white privilege.

We started with a game which had us talking one on one for thirty seconds, sort of a speed dating session but really short. We were asked to speak to each other about our earliest memories of differences and particular ethnic, and racial groups. This ended with debriefing, and more conversation. Next, we went outside and stood in a line holding hands -- together, in solidarity. This exercise was called 'race to the wall.' One of the facilitators began to instruct us and we were to step forward or backward according to our response to 'if/then' statements. The statements went something like this:

If you wake up in the morning and don’t have to think about race, take a step forward. 
If you have ever warned your children that people may not like them because of their race, take a step backward. 
If when you use checks, credit cards or cash you can count on your skin color not working against the appearance of financial liability, take a step forward. 
If you can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to your race, take a step forward. 
If you were ever told that you were not capable of achieving academic success, take a step backward.

After just two statements we were no longer standing in one line. We were not all together. Though we wanted to still be in solidarity, some of us had moved ahead and some of us were left behind. There were lots and lots of statements, many of them were like those found in the article, "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack," by Peggy McIntosh. At the end, the majority of the white participants were far ahead of those of us who were African American. Those of European descent hardly ever took a step backwards. This simple exercise was a blistering reality check of how race still holds sway in our lives, how even with an African American president, we have miles to go before we sleep. We still have hurdles to remove and obstacles to tear down before racism is a thing of the past.

At the end of the retreat, the Senior Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, when asked, what she needed to give up in order to do this work of abolishing racism, said that she needed to give up thinking that she could hover over and protect all the children of the world. You see, she with her flaming red hair and ivory skin is the wife of a man of color and has a young elementary school age daughter who might be considered mixed race. She describes herself as a mother bear who wants to protect her cub and all cubs or as a shepherd who would  fiercely stare down any wolf that dared to threaten the sheep.

Another question posed was: "what do you need from the others in the community in order to participate in this work?" And I told the UU Minister that I needed for her to take back what she thought she needed to give up. For me, an African American, to be a partner in this work with her, I need her to take back the idea that she can hover over, protect and fiercely stare down any danger, any oppression any inequality that would hurt any child -- girl or boy, black, red, brown, yellow or white. Because I believe that God gives us the power to do just that; I believe that God gives us the power to change the world; I believe we are able, to stare down any issue, including racism, that would hold down our children.

As a mother and grandmother I believe that the end of racism will come; I believe it will happen! Perhaps it will not happen in this generation but in the next; if not for my grandson at least for his children. And I need for her and the entire Summit Interfaith Clergy Council to believe with me.

As people of faith we can stare down the wolf that is racism and be fierce shepherds of change. I know we can! We can "seek the welfare of the city" by speaking up and challenging racism wherever we see it. Don't you agree?

Won't you consider becoming aware of white privilege and racism, and being a fierce shepherd of change?