Redeeming History

How do you right a wrong that was committed over 200 years ago?

During the first three days in South Africa, we have been learning about the context in which the E.I. businesses are located. The main business is a bakery located in a township called Soshanguve. During the Apartheid, the Afrikaners relocated the native Africans to townships which were far outside the city. They separated the people based on their ethnicity and created preferential treatment for Whites. Interestingly enough, the United States has a strikingly similar history to South Africa. White immigrants came to South Africa in search of a religious refuge. They came in and established dominance. During our tour/orientation, someone mentioned that South Africa is what the U.S. would have been if the Indians had won the war.

South Africa has only had democracy in recent years, so the effects fo the Apartheid rule are still very prevelent, especially in the separation of the city and the township. As part of working with the bakery, we have the make early morning deliveries. When driving out to the township, Sally, an E.I. staff member in South Africa pointed out that we are the only ones driving into the township while everyone else is leaving the township. At night it is the opposite. The Apartheid model of blacks living far from the city and yet still working for the white people in the city is still reality.

During our whole orientation, I kept thinking about the similarity to segregation in the U.S. and how its effects are still being felt. As part of the white majority that was responsible for much of the pain and injustice, what is my role in redeeming that history. As a white foreigner in South African, what is my role in helping this country united and heal from past wounds. One thing our guide said that was really important was that the beginning of the reconciliation process begins with acknowledging that diversity exists and it is not going away. This just ties in more with what I have been processing about diversity on Biola's campus. It has been pretty fascinating to think through diversity while being the minority. I am beginning to gain a better perspective on it.

As far as how to redeem and reconcil history...I have no idea. I wonder where the line of continuing to make amends for the sins of my ancestors is versus moving on.

Separation Barrier

I have thought a little about what it would be like to live in Kenya for longer than two weeks. So far, there is a degree of comfort that I was not expecting. From all the cautions that I heard, I guess I thought I would feel super uncomfortable and always threatened. That is not the case. Kenyans are so friendly, regardless of whether they are trying to sell me something. The employees at the hotel we are staying at are learning our names and stop to talk with us at breakfast. They are teaching us some Swahili words and helping us get around the city. Several people that we just met have invited us to their homes for a meal. The gate keeper to the compound always smiles and waves at us. The people at church greeted us like any other visitor. Life in Kenya would be an adjustment, but it's entirely possible.

However, on this same train of thought I am reminded of the general perception of white people in Kenya - they are the ones with the money. Being a minority, you receive the brunt of the stereotype, whether you fit it or not. Even if I am a poor missionary in Kenya, I would still be expected to pay more than a local would. I think feeling like I am always being taken advantage of because of the color of my skin would be wearing. This reality helps put the issue of diversity on Biola's campus in perspective. No matter how similar your religion, worldview, personality, a minority may always feel like an outsider because they look different. "Fitting in" can only go so far. Others may welcome them, like the hotel staff and the church congregation welcomed us, but there is and will always be a substantial barrier to feeling a part of the group. This is a reality that the majority needs to acknowledge and not sweep aside as trivial.

The debate over diversity at Biola can be heated because one side may not want to engage in that conversation. This is tragic. In order for reconciliation to happen, listening followed by understanding needs to take place. I don't think racial reconciliation ends in us all ignoring color and culture. I think it's goal should be understanding and appreciation of culture.

A lot of pain in the world is from a lack of communication; in relationships, in racial tension, in the news, etc. People either don't listen because they are ruled by the heat of the moment or their pride. I remember watching The Breakup and just dying because neither character was willing to communication their honest feelings and thus both experienced pain. Of course a DTR (Defining The Relationship) would not make for a great movie, but the point still stands. We need to engage in conversations and extend understanding.

Despite all the commonalities in the world, differences in color can add just the right amount of discomfort to leave a person feeling alone and misunderstood.

From this short experience, I am intrigued by the idea of living somewhere other than the U.S. for an extended period of time. Would my opinion change? Would I become bitter because I would be discriminated against? Would I assimilate eventually? Would I miss my home culture?

Diversity is hard and it takes work, but I am taken back to church last Sunday when I was able to praise my Lord in the context of different culture. We all serve the same God - a God that does not favor a specific race. That is the starting point of valuing diversity.

Please don't judge to harshly, I'm in process as well as is my understanding of diversity as a white woman in a predominately white world.