I grew up in South London during the 1960s and 70s. Even then, it was a very cosmopolitan area. I lived among many families which had mostly settled only recently from the Caribbean, the Middle East, South Asia, the Far East and a multitude of countries. I loved it. Everyone seemed to get along just fine, and we were all happy, or at least that’s how it seemed to a young, naive boy.
By the time I was at Secondary School, I soon realised that having skin that was a different colour to mine meant that you would not get a good education in my school. Then I saw the rise of the National Front tearing the community apart. I witnessed violent racism (verbal and physical) from the local police. I saw where people were being housed by the council and housing associations and my naivety vanished. Racism was all around me and doing enormous damage to many lives and our communities.
When I go back to that area, I see a much improved situation. But here in the North East, where interaction with minority ethnic groups is still quite uncommon, I keep hearing the same dangerous and damaging racist attitudes that I remember from so long ago.
Racism needs to be challenged in our communities, our churches and ourselves. We so easily make assumptions about people which are built on stereotypes, prejudice and misconceptions. The “We Belong” pack is a good way of helping us face those issues that we all need to face in a constructive and life-enhancing way.
The pack is designed as a six-session workshop, which can be run over a weekend or over a longer period. It can easily be used by a bible study or fellowship group as part of its normal programme. It is interactive and biblically focussed, encouraging the sharing of stories and experiences to assist participants in growing more conscious of their own culture and that of others. It is designed to help participants challenge negative stereotypes and images, whilst affirming our commitment to develop as multicultural communities of faith, challenging racism as a central part of our mission.
Session 1 looks at “Reading Images”. By looking at some visual images of people from various ethnic groups, participants are encouraged to share their instinctive feelings and why they may have such feelings. Do the images influence the way we see ourselves and others? Does our thinking perpetuate inequality? How might such images influence the way we relate to others?
There is a short sketch that can be acted out or read aloud and then discussed. If you were at General Assembly 2007, you saw the sketch being performed by members of the Racial Justice team. The sketch is followed by a look at scripture, presented in a thought-provoking way. We look at
Jonah 1-4 and Jonah’s attitude to the Ninevites
Mark 7:24ff where Jesus’ own boundaries are challenged by a Gentile woman
John 4:1-30 where Jesus talks theology with a Samaritan woman
and Mark 5:21-43 where Jesus delays Jairus to talk to an “unclean” woman
- thus challenging attitudes to social importance and acceptance.
Finally, there is an opportunity to explore those images again and hear who they are. Some will be familiar names, others less so. What we discover may challenge our pre-conceptions.
This session looks at cultural identity and associated tensions. Again, it offers a very good sketch that can be performed or simply read aloud, designed to get us thinking. It looks at an encounter between an Asian-British woman and a white Englishman in a church. I recognised the scene as one I’ve witnessed many times and even been a part of, regretfully. Some questions are offered which encourage us to reflect upon the meaning and importance of identity, and how, often unwittingly, we can damage someone else’s sense of identity.
The biblical reflection begins with a script based on Acts 10 which is read aloud, looking at how Peter is shocked to discover that God includes Gentiles as well as Jews. We look at Mark 3 where Jesus extends the boundaries of the family. In Luke 15, Jesus tells of the shocking teaching of God’s inclusiveness, and in Galatians 3:28, Paul describes his bold vision of the effects of the cross for all. Each reading comes with a short comment and some questions for discussion.
An Asian-British couple who recently moved to Northumberland from London described to me how difficult they were finding their new situation, even in their local church. They felt as if the attitudes of their new neighbours and fellow worshippers were denying their Britishness and at the same time making thinly veiled criticisms of Asian culture. They feel unaccepted as British despite being born in London. They feel under pressure to deny or reject the Asian cultural influences that have made them who they are. “Why can’t we just be accepted for who we are?” he asked.
Good question! This session may help us challenge the attitudes that we and our churches have.
Racism has a lot to do with fear. Why do some people find the presence of black and Asian youth walking along the pavement to be threatening? Why do people fear the presence of refugees and asylum seekers in their communities? Are we led towards unhealthy ways of thinking by some parts of the media and some politicians?
The sketch for this session is excellent, looking at a black majority church in which the leadership is worried what will happen if they call an Asian pastor. We explore fear of the unknown and fear of loss of power.
There is a fact sheet included which actually helps us to deal with reality rather than what we fear may be true. After exploring some hard facts, we discuss the contributions that immigrants have made and are making to Britain.
The biblical section looks at Mark 10:32-45 and 14:26-42 and the fear on the road to Golgotha. Exodus 17:1-7 looks at complaining as an expression of fear. Deuteronomy 1 looks at how fear of failure blocks entry to the Promised Land, and Psalm 137 looks at anger in exile, the cousin of fear.
This is another excellent session that has the potential to make a real difference to our attitudes, our churches and our communities.
Racism is often poorly understood. This session helps deepen understanding so that it can be challenged more constructively.
The sketch that opens the session brought back many memories. The parents of a white woman are expressing their fears for their daughter and their disappointment that she has become engaged to marry a black man. The parents insist they are not racist and only concerned for their daughter. Is that true? In 1970s London, I often heard such views. In 21st century Northumberland, I’m hearing them all over again – and it’s disturbing.
We are encouraged in this session, to consider what racism is and the difference between prejudice and discrimination.
The biblical reflections are from Luke 6 where Jesus confronts those who consider themselves superior to others. 2 Samuel looks at how the good in someone can be used to challenge their failings. Romans 12 looks at how Paul challenges us to a new way of being which allows diversity without division. Finally, Galatians 2 and Acts 13 look at the acceptance of Gentiles in Antioch. There are very helpful questions to help open our minds.
Once again, a useful fact sheet about the real effects of racism will provoke good discussion.
As a Londoner, I had been familiar with many cultural differences in the ways that my friends from various ethnic groups lived and thought, but I was taken aback by the many cultural differences I faced as a white man when moving here to the north-east. They seemed greater than the differences I noticed when living briefly in Georgia, USA. It brought home how many difficulties people may face if they come from the minority ethnic groups. For some people cultural differences can be very difficult to deal with. I’ve always seen such diversity as life-enriching, but for lots of people, it can hard even to respect difference and diversity. The result is damaging.
This session has a sketch that considers how an Englishman and a Jordanian reflect on their first shared lunch. Their expectations were so different and their misunderstandings of what had happened, and why, are real eye-openers. Some questions help us to consider how we might deal constructively with cultural clashes and how we might learn to be more welcoming.
Scriptural reflections from Ruth, Leviticus, 2 Kings and Matthew help us consider how the welcomed stranger may bring God’s promises with them, how God’s law demands loving acceptance of strangers as neighbours, how the stranger often struggles with the welcome that is given, and who we should help and care for.
This excellent session will help us reflect on how well we really welcome the stranger.
This final session looks at hospital as a core gospel value and message. It begins with a sketch in which a church has decided to offer sanctuary to failed asylum seekers, much to the displeasure of the Home Office. Food for thought!
The bible passages are Luke 10 with the uncomfortable challenge to limitless hospitality, Acts 6 with its reflections on the painful practicalities of developing justice, 1 Corinthians 11 reflecting on true fellowship, 1 Corinthians 12 looking at affirmative action for the undervalued.
Once again, a useful fact sheet looks at what some real churches have been doing, and there are some good questions to think about
Racism and racial justice are not simply matters for those areas where many ethnic groups live side-by-side. Racism is so destructive and something that we all need to battle with, within ourselves and our communities. Here in the north-east we will inevitably become much more ethnically diverse. I see this as a wonderful blessing, full of opportunity. But the truth is that the welcome will not be as warm as it should be, even in the churches. Now is the time for churches and individual Christian folk to address this issue seriously. Jesus did.
I warmly commend the excellent and constructive “WE BELONG” pack to all churches. It can be purchased from the URC Bookshop.
Barry Welch
Racial Justice Advocate
Read Barry's reflection on Being a Multicultural Church