Although the conversation about Biola's Jesus mural is supposed to encourage unity and racial reconciliation within the Biola community, it may result in further division. If the mural is left up, people will be oppressed, but if it is taken down, others will be angry at the former for destroying a beautiful part of Biola's history. Although this conversation highlights a genuine tension in the Biola community, it is acting as a lightning rod for a much larger conversation. It is that many ethnic groups on Biola's campus are feeling oppressed.
Most chapels I have attended on racial reconciliation at Biola University make me feel sad for being a majority. I often feel guilty and want to think less of myself. I often feel stereotyped. The more I think about it, the more I realize that this is due to a lack of understanding on my part of the issue at hand. It is because I haven't understood what the speakers are really trying to say. Until last semester I thought I (being lumped in with my specific culture) was being accused of hate toward other cultures; this isn't necessarily the case. I think the issue at hand is that, being a very modern and westernized culture, a majority of Biola is being insensitive to other cultures. Rather than accepting them for who they are we expect them to conform to our way of thinking, interacting, eating, worshiping, etc. Although a majority of American is very western, this is pretty arrogant.
This is very different from the hateful racism of previous years (though there are similarities), for it is often insensitivity done out of ignorance. Although it can escalade into blatant racism, most students I talk to want to love our fellow brothers and sisters of Biola. Most of the students I talk to are aware that there is a tension, but can't figure out what it is or how to resolve it. I too would love to learn how to better love my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Although discussions about the Jesus mural are important, Biola must first be informed lovingly and articulately as to what the cultural tension is on campus, otherwise its result will be greater tension. Biola must find a way celebrate the intrinsic beauty of each and every culture together while not discrediting the beauty in the majority culture. Such a community is like a breathtaking symphony. Although its distinct notes are beautiful in and of themselves, when put together they cast an array of beauty that envelopes the soul of the hearer. We must envelope the souls of those who observe our community in the love of Christ through harmonious diversity.
Most chapels I have attended on racial reconciliation at Biola University make me feel sad for being a majority. I often feel guilty and want to think less of myself. I often feel stereotyped. The more I think about it, the more I realize that this is due to a lack of understanding on my part of the issue at hand. It is because I haven't understood what the speakers are really trying to say. Until last semester I thought I (being lumped in with my specific culture) was being accused of hate toward other cultures; this isn't necessarily the case. I think the issue at hand is that, being a very modern and westernized culture, a majority of Biola is being insensitive to other cultures. Rather than accepting them for who they are we expect them to conform to our way of thinking, interacting, eating, worshiping, etc. Although a majority of American is very western, this is pretty arrogant.
This is very different from the hateful racism of previous years (though there are similarities), for it is often insensitivity done out of ignorance. Although it can escalade into blatant racism, most students I talk to want to love our fellow brothers and sisters of Biola. Most of the students I talk to are aware that there is a tension, but can't figure out what it is or how to resolve it. I too would love to learn how to better love my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Although discussions about the Jesus mural are important, Biola must first be informed lovingly and articulately as to what the cultural tension is on campus, otherwise its result will be greater tension. Biola must find a way celebrate the intrinsic beauty of each and every culture together while not discrediting the beauty in the majority culture. Such a community is like a breathtaking symphony. Although its distinct notes are beautiful in and of themselves, when put together they cast an array of beauty that envelopes the soul of the hearer. We must envelope the souls of those who observe our community in the love of Christ through harmonious diversity.
3 comments:
"it is acting as a lightning rod for a much larger conversation."
May I just say that this is one of the best metaphors I have heard in a while. Very well put.
Keep up the random posting! (though...at a more decent hour haha)
You have such great thoughts at crazy times :)
I hadn't thought about what you said...the quieter type of racism. That is something I want to think about more...
I would have to say I agree with your analysis of how certain minorities are feeling. I appreciate how you were able to look past the Jesus mural smoke screen to see that certain cultures are just not being appreciated enough.
However, As someone who has a Jewish background, I'm wondering why people think the Jesus Mural doesn't look Jewish. I'm pretty sure that a Jewish person modeled for the portrait. All of that is to say, I wonder if there is hypersensitivity to the subject of race and culture. Maybe we should be challenging people upset at the mural to join hands in uniting cultures, rather than criticizing the expression of one culture through such a painting. Just a thought.
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