A Slippery Slope

Most have probably heard by now the rehash and replay of a sermon by Pastor Wright, from Trinity Church in Chicago. If so, I hope they have also listened to the response by Senator Obama. Then there was the backlash after he spoke of his grandmother as “a typical white person” a few days later. I’ve been thinking a lot about what a slippery slope it is when you talk openly and honestly about race. Particularly when someone is waiting in the wings with motives that are less than honorable.

I don’t know many who have had the occasion to attend a black church. I would go a step further to say that unless you are black, it really wouldn’t make much difference because you would not have the history or life experience to fully comprehend the significance. I don’t.

Two years ago I attended a diversity and inclusiveness workshop in Gary, sponsored by the Calumet District of the United Methodist Church. It was an experience that brought considerable self-examination. The first thing I learned was that in order to have meaningful dialogue everyone must seek to understand, be honest, and open to change.

I found a good piece on Black Liberation Theology from the Group News Blog. The author is a minister’s daughter brought up in Harlem and Queens Village. Here is her final thought:

I don’t for a moment believe that this is the end of this long-needed conversation about race in America. I think it’s another beginning, and that it needs to continue. I would just like to ask, gently, as my Mama would have, that we who talk about these things in good faith, check our assumptions, like weapons, at the door.

My mama would have agreed. And so do I.