Shepastor: “The Power of Honest, Transparent and Respectful Conversation…”

 ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12, NIV

 

For the last five years, the Cleveland Foundation has supported a community wide initiative called, “Common Ground.” Common Ground is a platform for community members to come together to discuss ideas, issues, concerns, etc., to make our communities healthier, stronger, better.

On July 27^th, 2021, Restoration Ministries of Greater Cleveland, Inc., and Faith in the City Euclid, Ohio, hosted the conversation, “People, Place and Shared Power: Where Are We On the Journey?” Our facilitator was Dr. Martina Moore, Ph.D., President and CEO of Moore Counseling. The basis of our conversation was the ground breaking book, White Fragility, by Robin DiAngelo.

In preparation for our discussion, the board members of our group came together to read the book and discuss how the concepts, truths, and overall idea of the book impacted us as individuals. Our conversations were open, honest, transparent and raw. Sometimes we laughed, sometimes we cried, and sometimes we became angry. But our conversation remained respectful with truths shared in love. 

Dr. Moore asked that each of us share our experiences during the book discussion with our conversation participants. Our participant audience of 22 individuals was diverse in terms of age, race, ethnicity and religious beliefs. Following opening remarks from the facilitator and the experience sharing from the book study group, everyone was given an opportunity to respond and share.

Individuals transparently shared their thoughts about racism. White participants shared honestly the fears they had been taught to have over the years about African American people and their culture. African American participants shared the realities they face daily related to systems that were designed and continue to persist to oppress, marginalize, penalize and disenfranchise minorities on every level. An Asian participant shared the oppressions, aggressions and disappointments they face as they experience “tokenism” from White people, and rejection from African American people.

A young person responded to a statement regarding fear of the African American culture. He shared that most fear is based in a lack of knowledge about the culture. He also articulately shared how history writers control the narrative, frequently painting those they oppress in a negative light. It is therefore important for people to get to know people for themselves, to read a more expansive repertoire of literature, from the perspective of those from the culture and to understand the systems that create and perpetuate poverty, “inner city” conditions and the dangerous atmosphere that rightly engenders fear.

WOW! What a POWERFUL CONVERSATION!!! Following the sharing of ideas, thoughts and experiences, participants all agreed that more dialogue is needed on these issues. Participants exchanged contact information and made a commitment to spend time getting to know one another. People expressed a desire to learn more and to engage in a follow-up discussion in the Fall. 

To God be the glory, honest, transparent and respectful conversation produced the fruit of meaningful dialogue, new friendships and hope. We began to "see" one another! With God, all things are possible, even in a time of historic divisions in our nation. By faith, we will walk on. By faith, together, we will overcome, someday…

In Faith, Hope and perseverance,

Pastor Chris

www.shepastorchris.org