Posts tagged ‘racism’
Will I ever be authentic enough?
Last night I saw a documentary called Blacking up: Hip-Hop’s Remix. Basically, it was about how “white” people can never really identify themselves with “black” culture.
Terms like wanna be were used to describe “white” rappers and those who liked hip-hop music. Even Vanilla Ice realized that he was being exploited in this music genre to put a “white” face to hip-hop music. This is part of the reason why he’s not in mainstream anymore.
All this begs the question: Will I ever be authentic enough?
Over the past year I’ve heard of several churches bring a “black” person on staff because they wanted an authentic gospel sound. It’s the fine line of trying to be authentic and maybe even racist.
Sometimes when people mimic other cultures it’s because they’re fascinated with those cultures and want to learn more about it. Yes, there are people who make fun of other cultures, but I don’t even try to pay attention to those people.
So, the other question I have to ask is: How can I honor someone else’s culture even though I’m from another “race”?
The answer is in relationships and immersion and….practice, practice, practice. For example, if I wanted to incorporate country music in our service I would do a few things:
1. Go to country music concerts in the area.
2. Find someone, locally/regionally/nationally, who loves country music.
3. Visit some places where the cities are identified with country music.
4. Ask the people who love country music if I’m doing it “right”?
The fact is there’s always going to be critics. But keep your eyes on Christ and ask Him to help you find ways that will honor other culture and style of other people…while at the same time allowing it to be part of you too.
I’ll end this article with a quote from my capoeira teacher, Mestre Senna DaBahia: Everyone wants to be special, be different, unique, but the thing is to be authentic!!!!!
Share your story and your life…
Sincerely,
Peter Park
Blogger/Worship Leader/Speaker
peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
(800) 453-3284
© 2010, Peter Park. All rights reserved.
Spiritual warfare and racism in America
How does slavery, original sin, and spiritual warfare play a part in the division we face in the American Church? (This video is only a small part of a longer radio interview with Soong-Chan Rah.)
© 2010, Peter Park. All rights reserved.
Racism…Is it just a personal issue?
With only an individualized theology as a reference point, American evangelicalism fails to understand the power of corporate sin, especially as it related to racism. Racism is an individual issue that needs to be resolved by focusing on individual prejudice. But by focusing on individual prejudice, we limit the understanding of racism to strictly a person issue.
~The Next Evangelicalism by Soong-Chan Rah
I hear a lot of people say that they’re not racist and that’s a great thing. But what if took responsibility for the bigger picture. It’s not easy to ask for forgiveness for something you don’t even feel responsible for. I’ve have several opportunities in the past few months where I’ve heard speakers confess the sins on behalf of their race. It’s been really powerful. I know that as Koreans I’ve known many people who will work with people who were only Korean. It’s not because we don’t like other ethnic groups. I believe we are afraid of other ethnic groups. On behalf of Koreans I want to confess that we have been racist and ask any of my readers for forgiveness.
Share your story and your life…
Sincerely,
Peter Park
Blogger/Worship Leader/Speaker
peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
(800) 453-3284
© 2009 – 2010, Peter Park. All rights reserved.