Addressing Racism in The Church Discussion Paper

Learning Journal

Lecture One

Is racism a deeply theological problem? Finding answers to this fundamental question can offer useful insights into how the Christian story and way of life has been shaped by racial differences between and among members of the congregations. Brown (2018) explained that whilst African American Christians and white evangelicals may be perceived to share a good deal theologically, their social understandings are relatively distinct. On one hand, whilst African-American Christians may be said to possess a politically- and socially-active faith, their white evangelical counterparts tend to place more attention on personal faith and a belief in individualist explanations. Similarly, Wytsma (2017) noted that whilst the racial architecture of Christianity in the western world is evidenced by the strength attached to the principality of whiteness, the spread of Christianity by the early European Christians in the new world appeared to reinforce a distinctive kind of racial faith. In other words, whilst the European Christians played a major role in the spread and expansion of Christianity, the pedagogical imperialism of Christianity did immensely contribute to the rise of contemporary Christianity that is not open to changing, learning, adapting and become new. On the contrary, the Christianity life that emerged in the wake of colonialism and imperialism placed strong emphasis on segregating and/or assimilating peoples into their own distinct version of Christianity, something that has over time formed the basis of racial faith (Husain, 2017). Therefore, the historical relationship between race and religion must be comprehensively examined with the core intention of gaining a better understanding of the connection between religion and racialization in the modern context. Roberts (2020) pointed out that religion has the greater potential to inspire harmony and mutual understanding amongst people from different cultural backgrounds and with highly unique experiences, and can form a key starting point for mobilizing resources aimed at reducing or averting racism. Addressing Racism in The Church Discussion Paper

ORDER  HERE A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

Lecture Two

Do white and Black Christians differ? In this question, I am more interested in the notion that although the Christianity life and practice demands all adherents and followers to duly share in the Christian faith, a powerful and entrenched racial faith is explicitly evident. Tisby and Moore (2019) clarified that becoming a Christian is by and large a transformative process that involves total embodiment in Jesus’ holistic ministry. However, research has shown that the American church is guilty of discarding the Holy Scripture’s robust comprehension of God’s redemptive kingdom in favor of a racial faith that strongly supports racial inequality and racial injustice in the church and the community at large. Wytsma (2017) argued that Christianity might have played a role in the generation of racial categories through promoting the power and principality of whiteness while asserting the inferiority of blackness. In other words, the theological justification of slavery, colonialism and imperialism as perpetrated by the early European Christians paved the way for the racist ideology that has to the present day influenced the differences in Christianity belief and practice among whites and blacks. Oyakawa (2019) pointed out the subjective association of white with Christian during the slavery era and into the colonization period formed the basis on which social dominance, submission to white normativity and the spread of cultural captivity that has since the 1600s equated American culture with Christian orthodoxy. Research has shown that the notable differences between white and black congregations emanates from an historical background of colonialism, slavery, reconstruction, Jim Crow, the civil rights movement, mass incarceration, and colorblindness (Bost, 2020). Therefore, whilst the church has been highly instrumental in promoting cultural diversity and tolerance in the American society, it has remained complicit in maintaining the structural and institutional systems as well as historical realities that are responsible for the differences between white and black Christians. Addressing Racism in The Church Discussion Paper

Lecture Three

Are we there yet? This being the 21^st century, one of the most pressing issues is whether racial reconciliation has been fully attained despite the entrenchment of racial distinctions and race-based discrimination in key areas of the mainstream American society. Bantum (2016) insisted that although major legislative and institutional developments have contributed to the promotion of racial equality and diversity, the narrative of racial progress is still incomplete and subdued. Prevot (2018) concurs that although the post-racial status of the modern American society has been extensively emphasized in the socio-cultural, economic, educational and political realms, the downfall of racism is far from being attained. Research findings indicates that the racist ideology of white privilege and white supremacy has greatly undermined the pursuit of racial justice and social equity, and this has paved way for an apathetic culture of bystanders to flourish in what can be described as ‘white America’ (Tisby & Moore, 2019). Lewicki (2021) noted that the centrality of whiteness as a cultural standard is reinforced by how many of the racial minorities are further othered as inferior and the mere objects of help. In other words, although white people have historically been portrayed as wealthy and influential, their racial minority counterparts are depicted from a deficit standpoint as lacking, in poverty and incapable of salvaging their needful situation. Moreover, there appears a common misconception that white people are naturally needed and possess the ample resources that inherently positions them as the privileged donor, and hence the hierarchical differences between them with the needy recipient is informed by the centrality of whiteness (Bost, 2020). These findings indicates that although a majority of people condemn the existing racial injustices and inequalities, the shift from a culture of white supremacy to that of white fragility and white guilt and maintenance of white centrality is evident. Addressing Racism in The Church Discussion Paper

Lecture Four

To what degree can white citizens of the United States of America be dis-embedded from the entrenched myth of white supremacy and white privilege?  Indeed, the social and cultural realities of the U.S. have had profound relations on community relations as far as cultural diversity and inclusivity is concerned. Goodwin (2020) asserted that although moments of racial progress can be identified as exemplified by the key developments witnessed in housing, education, economic opportunities and social relations, the public conversation on racism tend to disproportionately focus on whiteness and on the parameters of white comfort as the basis for analyzing racial discrimination and prejudice. From a theological perspective, Wytsma (2017) pointed out Christians and other religious adherents in their fallen human state are just as vulnerable to the sins of racial discrimination, and most importantly, responsible for idolizing a subjective narrative of white supremacy, subconsciously and/or deliberately. Therefore, whilst attempts to address racism and its consequences has historically emphasized the role of the federal and state governments in changing the status quo, the fusion of Christianity and whiteness must be seen as a key impediment behind the lack of racial progress. Similarly, Roberts (2020) insisted that the centralization of whiteness cannot be undone; implying that those who are left behind by the entrenched values of whiteness, citizenship and ownership have little or no choice as far as draw of homogeneity is concerned. These findings indicates that  whilst the recent years have witnessed a shift toward a more multi-ethnic vision of Christianity, the decentralization of whiteness represents a blatant attempt to position racism as one of the key cultural realities that forms the basis of the Church culture and Christian theology at large. Addressing Racism in The Church Discussion Paper

Lecture Five and Six

Can racial/ethnic minorities be saved from poverty? In this abrasive question, it is clear that the many types of government assistance historically offered to White majority did play a major role in promoting white privilege and undermining the ability of other racial groups to overcome poverty.  Research has shown that the pursuit of racial progress must be defined by concerted effort to uplift the socio-economic status of millions of people from racial minorities and to substantiate the myth of white supremacy from a holistic perspective (Oyakawa, 2019). Wytsma (2017) insisted that although diversity initiatives have been highly instrumental in improving the material situation of minorities, data indicates that white people benefit more from these initiatives. Tisby and Moore (2019) concurred that whilst the slavery era was characterized by the exploitation of black bodies for economic gain or labor, the recent years have witnessed the use of racial minorities by white people for personal or organizational enrichment and exposure. In other words, the inclusion of people of color in the workplace and other formerly segregated places and events has been become tones to prove an organization or individuals ‘open-mindedness’ (Bantum, 2016). Therefore, whilst there may be determined effort to identify and tackle systemic poverty amongst racial minorities in modern America, the superior social location and specific privilege allocated to whiteness has made it completely difficult for the disadvantaged minorities to be saved from the pangs of poverty (Husain, 2017). Equally, the degree of black oppression in the wake of white supremacy has not been fully acknowledged, and hence whilst there exist an environment that is more sensitive and aware of racism, the entrenched nature of racial injustice and ideology still reinforces white superiority and modern racism (Bost, 2020). Addressing Racism in The Church Discussion Paper

Lecture Seven

What are we to do?  The critical issue of race in the modern American society is painted by a very bleak picture. On the whole, although the Christian hope for redemption from both societal and personal evils has been faithfully embraced by many citizens, the narrative of inevitable racial progress is by and large superficial and far-fetched. Lewicki (2021) claimed that Christianity teaches about love, new beginnings, hope and a genuine commitment to breaking any kind of bondage at the personal and communal levels. In other words, well-intentional Christians must form part of the committed team actively involved in taking thoughtful, constructive action and finding working solutions to the negative effects of racism, and in promoting racial justice and reconciliation. Prevot (2018) commented that whilst the complexity of tackling racial inequality and injustice must be acknowledged, the eminent struggle for racial equity must be grounded in a series of clear-cut institutional, policy and legislative developments aimed at promoting a diverse, inclusive and tolerant society. In this quest, religious denominations and their adherents must apply the hope of the Gospel as preached and practiced by Jesus Christ sand his disciples to the work of racial reconciliation and justice with the core intention of promoting societal harmony, racial equity and mutual progress, irrespective of any identifiable differences including race or ethnicity (Wytsma, 2017). Although anti-racism efforts must be encouraged and strengthened to ensure desired redemptive outcomes are realized, there is the need for those actively involved in anti-racist advocacy to orient their efforts around a proper comprehension of others, of self and of God, and to uphold God’s intended order. These findings call for synergy between the existing theological approaches and secular strategies when it comes to tackling the systemic realities of poverty and racism in the United States of America, and globally (Bost, 2020). Addressing Racism in The Church Discussion Paper

ORDER  TODAY

References

Bantum, B. (2016).The Death of Race: Building a New Christianity in a Racial World. New York: Augsburg Fortress Publishers.

Bost, J. (2020).Addressing Racism in the Church: A Historical, Sociological, Theological, and Practical Account. https://baylor-ir.tdl.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/4a6b20b2-2c37-4022-878f-db98568aac11/content

Brown, A.C. (2018). I’m still here: Black dignity in a world made for whiteness. New York:

Convergent Books.

Goodwin, M. (2020). Gender, race, and American Islamophobia. The Rutledge Handbook of Islam and Gender, 463-474. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351256568-31

Husain, A. (2017). Retrieving the religion in racialization: A critical review. Sociology Compass, 11(9), e12507. https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12507

Lewicki, A. (2021). The Christian politics of identity and the making of race in the German welfare state. Sociology, 55(6), 1228-1244. https://doi.org/10.1177/00380385211008368

Oyakawa, M. (2019). Racial reconciliation as a suppressive frame in evangelical multiracial churches. Sociology of Religion, 80(4), 496-517. https://doi.org/10.1093/socrel/srz003

Prevot, A. (2018). Theology and race. Theology and Race, 1-79. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004382565_002

Roberts, R. J. (2020). Networked church. Pneuma, 42(1), 68-89. https://doi.org/10.1163/15700747-04201002

Tisby, J., & Moore, L. (2019).The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Wytsma, K. (2017). The myth of equality: uncovering the roots of injustice and privilege. Downers Grove, Illinois, IVP Books.

Channing Brown, Austin. I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. New York:
Convergent Books, 2018. ISBN: 978-1524760854.
Tisby, Jemar. The Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Church’s Complicity in Racism.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2019. ISBN: 978-0310597261.
Wytsma, Ken. The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege. Downers Grove, IL:
IVP, 2017. ISBN: 978-0830844821 Addressing Racism in The Church Discussion Paper

During the first five weeks of class, students will keep a journal focusing on questions, thoughts,
and feelings that arise from interactions with course content (readings and lectures). Within each
entry, the student should wrestle with a specific question, thought, or feeling that arises as he/she
interacts with and processes specific concepts, events, or processes in the weekly lectures
and/or readings. While some personal reflection is appropriate, each entry should also include
interaction with academic sources (e.g. Course texts, outside books and articles, etc.). Each
week’s entry should be a minimum of one and a maximum of two pages (double-spaced) and
should reflectively and substantively engage with the chosen concept. The final compiled journal
will be five-ten pages.
NOTE: While this is a journal, this is an academic paper. Students should avoid use of slang,
colloquialisms, informal and otherwise inappropriate language in their entries. All entries should
be professional, utilize proper grammar, and proper headings and formatting Addressing Racism in The Church Discussion Paper