Drawing the Line

In his book Acts of Faith Interfaith Youth Core founder, Eboo Patel, quoted African American Scholar W.E.B. Dubois as he stated, "The problem of the 20th century is the problem of the color line." Patel went on to assert that the problem of the 21st century is the problem of the "faith line."

The two "lines" are related, of course. As an Amercian of Indian descent, and therefore a person of color, Eboo learned about the difference in the levels of privilege enjoyed by some racial, ethnic and gender groups compared to others. As a Muslim in a predominantly Chrisian culture, he knew the difficulties of remaining faithful to his religious traditions in a foreign religious landscape.

Eboo Patel visited Syracuse a couple of weeks ago to deliver a lecture at Syracuse University, lead seminars with college and high school aged youth, and meet with community leaders that were specifically concerned with an interfaith approach to dealing with youth and young adults. It was a wonderful series of events. He is a very impressive leader and individual. Here is the link to the Inter Faith Youth Core. http://www.ifyc.org/

At the community leader's meeting (at which both Geoffrey Black and I were present), Eboo shared an interesting anecdote to describe the generation gap when it comes to interfaith understanding. He pointed out that across the United States the population of Muslims is about equivalent to that of Episcopalians (about 4 million). He has observed, however, that when he talks to people older than 40 very few of them know any Muslims, but most of them know some Episcopalians. On the other hand when he talks to youth and young adults about the same issue, almost none of them know any Episcopalians, but nearly all of them know at least one Muslim.

One of the major points that he makes throughout his presentations is to distinguish between the notion of diversity and pluralism. We are a diverse nation. Indeed, the entire world has people that have come to live here. Our national motto is taken from the Latin phrase "e pluribus unum", (out of the many, one.)

But how can we be both many and one at the same time? The "melting pot" is one theory that became the norm of analysis of the nature of our democracy. That is, people coming from around the world were all thrown into the same pot until the brew was stirred into one aromatic blend of different ingredients. Everyone would sign onto the same national values, speak the same language, live out the same traditions. This, in my words (not Eboo's) would be a monolithic diversity.

To the contrary he is working to promote a pluralistic diversity. Pluralism is the theory whereby differences are acknowledged, respected and embraced for the benefit of creating a unified whole of very different parts.

And so, Muslim Americans are different than white Protestant Christian Americans. We worship differently. We have some specific and different traditions. Yet we are all Americans. We care about "liberty and justice for all". We vote for our elected leaders, care about the education of our children, the health and welfare of all citizens, etc. But we do so from our own faith and cultural perspectives.

Beth Broadway, Director of the Community Wide Dialogue to End Racism program of InterFaith Works of Central New York, spoke of a dialogue group that she ran in the north side of Syracuse.

The "north side" has traditionally been an international gateway neighborhood for people emigrating from other countries. A century ago the neighborhood became home to large numbers of Italians and Germans. Friedens UCC is located in this area and was founded in the early part of the 20th century. Now the community has been transformed into a place where Asians, Africans and Central Americans share the same neighborhoods. And so, there is tension. Beth was asked by community leaders to address ways to work through the tension and the fear that threatened immanent violence.

She described a dialogue group made up of Italians and east Asian people. She said that many of the Italians become loud and demonstrative in their discussion of how they experienced their life in this changing neighborhood. The east Asians were demure and deflected their eyes from looking directly at the European neighbors.

In other words Beth observed they were acting in ways normal to their own cultures but obnoxious to each other's traditions. The Italians were trying to reach out to and embrace the Asians only to be met with what they considered as disrespect. "They won't even look us in the eye when we speak to them!" Asians felt that the Italians were too loud and aggressive and angry. "Didn't they know that out of respect you don't look one another in the eye?" Therefore, there was much to talk out in order for these groups to live together and work out the issues that everyone was confronting.

The north side is also know as "Little Italy". There is a community organization that puts on an annual festival. Part of the festival is to name a "Miss Little Italy". Shortly after this dialogue Beth received a call from a leader of the Little Italy community organization. "Miss Little Italy, this year, is Vietnamese," the man reported, "can we have a Miss Little Italy that isn't Italian?" After talking together, the man admitted that in this changing neighborhood of increasingly diverse people, maybe Miss Little Italy didn't have to be Italian. Viva le Pluralisme!

Another plea for pluralism has come from John Thomas and Michael Kinnamon, speaking for the national setting of the United Church Christ and the National Council of Churches, respectively. On April 3, these two national leaders held a press conference with Otis Moss III, pastor of Trinity UCC, Chicago, in which they called for a national "Preach-In" on the issue of Race in America on May 18. Resource materials will be distributed soon. In the meantime here is the link to the video announcement of the Preach-In.


Here is the link to the online article from UCNews on the UCC website. http://www.ucc.org/news/ucc-ncc-calls-for-nationwide.html.

Color line or faith line, there are barriers that separate us unequally and unhealthily. There are those who wonder whether talking will do any good. On the other hand not talking hasn't worked either. In the Community Wide Dialogue circle in which I took part even though I knew about and accepted the reality of the white, male privelege that I enjoy, there was much that I could learn in listening to the perspectives, the continuing hurt, as well as the persistent hope of those that live without the priveleges that I take for granted. This wasn't white liberal guilt that I was feeling. But it was a dose of reality that I could look at in order to help change.

I think Paul has such matters in mind when wrote to the Romans (12:9-21).

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Blessings

Rick Cowles