November Response

November 1999

"Race in the 21st Century"

"Bible Study: For Such a Time As This" by Joseph A. Agne

To begin this Bible study, the reader must review the book of Esther and ask him/herself some questions about the characters involved in this story. Isn't there a bit of each of these characters in us? This Bible study then takes an in-depth look at the characters in this story and how the Biblical figures apply to us today. Haman orders marginalization, patronization, oppression and killing today. Mordecai is a justice worker, unwilling to compromise. Esther, in the midst of privilege, entitlement and hidden ethnic identity must stay in touch with those outside the palace and must work against oppression even at the risk of her own life. This study looks at how we as a community do the same as each of the characters. Read this article.

"Race in the 21st Century" by Yvette Moore

"If colorline was the problem of the 20th century United States, then navigating a crisscrossing, superhighway of color-coded lines may well be the challenge of the 21st. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation. Always has been." This article looks in depth at why race matters as we move into the next century. It explores the stories of racism against American Indians, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Arab Americans. Then, it looks at what it means to have white privilege and economic, social and political constructs that benefit whites and disempower people of color. Read this article.

"History of the Charter for Racial Justice Policies"

The Women's Division began its work on racial justice in the 1940s and it continues today. This sidebar reviews the history of this work.

"The Future of Affirmative Action" by Frances J. Jett

This article "de-mythifies" Affirmative Action. It is not preferences or quotas for unqualified applications. It opens opportunities to those who have been and continue to be shut out and it calls for merit hiring over racial or gender considerations. The article looks at important examples of why Affirmative Action is still needed and at the future of this challenge.

"Racism Violates Human Rights" by Deborah M. Robinson

Racism is a human rights violation. Yet, this is a statement that few people in the U.S. understand or accept. First, most U.S. citizens believe that human rights violations happen in other nations. Each year the U.S. State Department issues a human-rights report which analyzes the human-rights situations in every country except for the U.S., helping to perpetuate this belief. Second, people believe that the emphasis on human rights negates or replaces the focus on civil rights, which is untrue. This article looks at human rights, the rights to which all people are born. It lifts up testimonies revealing racially-motivated human-rights violations in the U.S., and it gives a challenge to U.S. citizens to recognize and challenge these violations.

"Hispanic Americans: On the Edge" by Alfonso A. Roman

"With demographic projections showing Hispanic Americans becoming the largest minority in the United States during the first quarter of the century, they stand on the edge of becoming a major contender in the struggle for real democracy and equality." This article looks at the Eurocentric racial dominance to restrain the Hispanic populations through policies, economics, procedures, and education. It explores internalized oppression resulting from racism and colonization, and the struggle that the church needs to address because racism is a sin.

"Being Asian American" by Melanie S. Miran Hahn and Alicia Yang

What does it mean to be Asian American? These authors list what it can mean, which are many and often conflicting things. Because of these conflicting pressures and stereotypes, being successful in the 21st century for Asian Americans requires reflection upon who one is, especially in the context of other communities of color. This is evident as Asian American youth speak out in this article, seeking to resolve complex economic, social, and political issues while discovering themselves in the contemporary United States.

"American Indians: Our Nation's Invisible Peoples" by Anne Marshall

"Contemporary American Indians have become invisible in the U.S. conscience-- a conscience appeased by misinformation, disinformation and complacency about the original inhabitants of our nation, and a conscience invaded by the 'Old West' myth portrayed in John Wayne and other cowboy movies." This article looks in-depth at the invisibility of American Indians and how this has occurred. It looks at the facts behind American Indians being the poorest race in the United States in terms of health, education, and welfare. And in the midst of the facts and stories about oppression and dispossession, this writer explores the signs of hope for our indigenous people.

"Education's Racial Subtext: Leaving Children of Color Behind" by Loretta J. Williams

As politicians in today's presidential campaigning talk about "proven results" that test scores are rising among certain populations, the racial and class overtones in the proposals become more and more disturbing. This article looks at how we must challenge innocence and apathy about how racism continues to repeat itself in the classroom. By giving hard facts, this articles challenges us to look at the increasing politicizing of resentment against the poor, people of color and so-called "language minorities" for society's problems.

"Racism and Children" by Mary Pat Martin

This is a must-read article for every parent, child worker, grandparent, or relative of a child who wants to help our children develop attitudes, ideas and values that are inclusive of all God's people. It looks at scriptural goals for us and our children and our responsibilities as caregivers for infants and young children. Finally, it explores culturally-relevant child care and gives concrete examples and ideas for how we can do this and how we set examples for our children.

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