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Walking Humbly in the Spirit of Fellowship By Dr. Garry Bailey
Below is a segment of the benediction that addresses issues of race and conflict: And now, Lord, in the complex arena of human relations, help us to make choices on the side of love, not hate; on the side of inclusion, not exclusion; tolerance, not intolerance. And as we leave this mountaintop, help us to hold on to the spirit of fellowship and the oneness of our family. Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches, our temples, our mosques, or wherever we seek your will. Bless President Barack, First Lady Michelle. Look over our little, angelic Sasha and Malia. We go now to walk together, children, pledging that we won't get weary in the difficult days ahead. We know you will not leave us alone, with your hands of power and your heart of love. Help us then, now, Lord, to work for that day when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, when tanks will be beaten into tractors, when every man and every woman shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree, and none shall be afraid; when justice will roll down like waters and righteousness as a mighty stream. Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around -- (laughter) -- when yellow will be mellow -- (laughter) -- when the red man can get ahead, man -- (laughter) -- and when white will embrace what is right. Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen. The full benediction transcript is available at the Chicago Sun-Times site: (http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/01/rev_lowery_inauguration_benedi.html). I found the benediction to be very poetic, personal, and thought- and spirit-provoking. I love the idea of asking a blessing upon our efforts to hold to the ‘spirit of fellowship.’ The prayer asks a scripturally appropriate blessing on the President and his family. It assumes the perspective that we are children of God. It seeks help in managing conflict between nations with justice and righteousness. And then it asks for help managing our color differences; all stated very eloquently. Reading beyond the eloquence of the Benediction, I began reading comments people added to the online newspaper transcript. I was intrigued to find that many of the comments claimed Joseph Lowery to be racist. For many, calling on God to help us work for the day ‘when white will embrace what is right,’ is an indictment of whites, many of whom feel like they DO embrace ‘what is right.’ I must say that this sounds like a racist statement. As a peacemaker, though, I see truth in his statement but would prefer a statement that called upon all colors to embrace what is right. My reflection on this leads me to think that work is still needed to change our race-conflicted system. Typically, African Americans, Latino Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans (among others) experience some degree of discrimination in the societal system. Caucasian Americans often feel like they do not discriminate but they support and participate in the societal system as it is—the same system that people of other hues find discriminatory. When I, as a person who looks white (but has significant Native DNA), allow the parts of the system I experience to favor whites over others, doesn’t that make me, to some degree, racist? I have very good friends of different hues from me who feel the weight of discrimination but stand by me in my commitment to justice tempered by mercy. I enjoy the great grace of a diverse fellowship and I am often surprised to find myself supporting some aspect of the ‘system’ that privileges my skin color. I feel called upon to seek equality in a system that is not equal. In your busy worlds of living and studying and working, I hope you will take a moment to reflect on where you are in the system. Do you have opportunities to find fellowship with others who seek the goal of peace through justice and mercy? I can’t help thinking that the answer has something to do with supporting justice and mercy with the attitude of humility. Micah 6:8 (NIV) “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
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At the risk of evoking strong feelings about race issues, I would like to share a reflection on a race-oriented event—the Inaugural Benediction.