Emergent Diversity
While you can see the full post on my Mainline Emergent/s Day 2, I thought I would toss out this section and see where it goes.
“The other thing worth reflecting on was the Workshop that I attended, “Emerging Issues in Theological and Cultural Diversity” lead by Jay Voorhees and Tim Hartman (deftly handled BTW). We did talk about a great many aspects of diversity: theological, ethnic, socioeconomic, etc., but I wanted to make an observation about the issue of Race/Ethnicity within the emergent movement. I realize this is a complex issue that is actually handled better in face-to-face conversations so I am only making a few observations and a suggestion.
My reflections come out of one thread of the conversation that took place during the workshop. We began talking about the “Modern” structural solution to issues of racism and sexism, the “boxes” or “baskets” that we so easily put people into to define their worth and usefulness to the system. While helpful to be intentional about righting injustice for a certain period of time, most felt like there must be a new/better/emergent way to address issues of racial/ethnic diversity in the church. I TOTALLY agree!
But . . . and isn’t there always a “but” —- my observation has been that the postmodern or emergent response to issues of diversity takes place in one general way. Because we take all contexts seriously, all types of diversity and how we approach them are given equal weight. Whether it be visible diversity of gender or race or more subtle diversity such as class, theological perspectives, etc. there is this sense that we should approach both types in the same way. This is where I think there needs to be some adjustment (not an overhaul, an adjustment). The response I have heard from some self-proclaimed emergents is more savvy than a “I am Color-Blind” posture, but more of a “I am not going to make assumptions about one’s context, because they are [blank].” On the outside, this makes sense, and maybe for diversity issues such as theological perspective or socio-economics this is the way to go. But, when it comes to race and gender, I think we are required to do more work than see the other as a blank slate, no matter how much value one places upon that slate. As an Asian-American and unapologetic postmodern, urban, presbyterian emergent - I do not want to be seen as a blank slate. I want to enter into a circumstance where “Cultural Compentancy” reigns as the norm; where we understand the context/story from where one comes without making the turn towards stereotyping and uninformed assumptions. For me, my experience as an Asian-American has required me to be culturally competent, if for no other reason that to gauge the relative emotional/physical safety of situations. When I walk into a room, I try to value the visual/audio/contextual cues I received so that I can engage more meaningful and appropriate interactions with others.
While this observation is subtle, I think it does have something to do with why there are not more visible Racial Ethnic emergents. The critical mass of the movement has yet to show to many Racial Ethnic folks that this is any more than one more growth strategy of the dominant church. And while this does seem a bit cynical this is a real perception. But - and now the good but - I think the overall approach and posture of the emergent movement has GREAT potential to change this perception. As an Asian-American, I have found great release and “exhaling” as I have found voice and vernacular for my own emergent self. I am in no way alone in this, there are many who need the same kind of opportunity and experience. The emergent movement just needs to find ways to actually live out a cultural competency that that will in turn develop into a Emerging Diversity. I have trust that given time and more conversations this will take place . . . it has to.”
Comment by Dan Wilt on 1 February 2007:
Strong comments on diversity, and I’m thankful for your contribution to these ideas, and their fallible qualities, within the emerging church movements.
Indeed, these parts of the conversation must continue to take place.
Comment by Markus Watson on 1 February 2007:
Great post! I attended the Revolution conference with Brian McLaren and George Barna in Seattle last November. There were several hundred emerging church types there, but almost all of them were white. I think we definitely have some growing to do in the area of racial/ethnic diversity.
Comment by Reyes-Chow on 2 February 2007:
Dan - Thanks, I firmly believe that the emergent posture has the best change right now of having continued and effective conversations around this issue. I do not feel the same way about other church circles.
Markus - Yep…this one part of this part of the emergent village gatherings is still the one piece that gives me a feeling of disconnect/tension, a good tension, I suppose, if others are having as well.
Comment by tony jones on 13 February 2007:
Bruce,
Good points, all. I am truly thankful that you continue to push all of us in this. My perception of the event at Columbia was that the people on the stage (emergents) were far more diverse (in many ways) than the people in the crowd (mainliners). I realize that the mainline in general, and the PC(USA) in particular are diverse, and I was disappointed that that diversity was not reflected in the folks who attended the conference.
Tony
Tony