The subject is a line from my boy, Tupac....
Erin and I have learned that racism is alive and well here in the great state of Texas..... and I really can't stand it. I remember sitting at a Mexican restaurant somewhere in SLC with John Harty, listening as John explained his theory that hispanics have become a sort of sanctioned slave culture.... desparate for work they receive paltry pay for their services... and our culture seems more than happy to let this happen....
Several times in the months we've been here I've witnessed caucasians berating hispanics because they have trouble (or are perceived to have trouble) understanding English..... for a place that claims to be the melting pot of society I see little melting going on... and I'm sick of it. Nothing is more telling of a person's heart than their behavior toward those who are at their mercy. Granted there are many people who abuse the system for their own gain - but that can't be an excuse to overlook those who desparately need help...... somewhere underneath the sentiment that poor people (whether they're immigrants or whatever) are where they are because they don't want to help themselves lies a much deeper sin......... intrinsic in that notion is the sentiment that I'm where I'm at because I've worked to be here. Perhaps that philosophy works in the humanistic "get rich while you're young enough to enjoy it" culture.... but this simply won't do for the believer. If we are not brought to the Gospel recognition of our desparate need for redemption in every moment of our lives we are missing Christ. If I can look at someone who comes to me in need and think "if only this person had ______ (fill in the blank) then they would be in a better position" and live with that as if it's christian rationale, then there must be a problem. I think the "Protestant work ethic" notion is perhaps mis-named..... for the true Protestant recognizes Justification by Faith Alone in all situations..... the true Protestant knows that whatever situation comes his way, it is brought about by the providence of God..... blessing or curse, the christian journeys onward toward the eternal city, knowing more and more each day of their weariness, of their need for rescue, of the miracle of redemption and rebirth.
Looking in the face of one who is in need of mercy should bring us to the face of Christ - "who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grapsed but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross! (Phil 2)" If He who was God became nothing that we might be reconciled to God, why do we put it beyond ourselves to become nothing for those who need mercy?
I'm just sick of seeing people be abused because they are in need and willing to do anything to provide for themselves and their families..... I'm sick of seeing them reach out to people who respond by spitting in their faces, and I'm truly growing more and more grateful for the merciful Christ - who rescues His people while they are spitting in His face. Thank you Jesus that my "merit" didn't get me where I'm at, but you're blood.
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9 comments:
You touch upon a subject matter that is uncomfortable to confront, but essential for growth--how we approach those in need. If I'm honest, embarassing as it is, the thoughts that you express in regards to our initial reaction still rise to the surface from time to time, if not in word or deed, then in thought. It's all too easy to pat ourselves on the back and look for the quick fix rather than a lasting impact and relationship.
And like you, it makes me all that much more aware of the blessed gift we have all been given in the blood of Christ.
I was happy to see that my words were remembered. I do miss our noon-time discussions.
Interesting observations.....my take on it would be to wonder what economic forces are in play here?
I agree that money does not give one person more "status" or make them better than another. However, money seems to inflate egos a lot more than it should. Never underestimate the levels of human stupidity.
That having been said...here is the socio-economic questions I would ask:
Does this particular subculture have any legal issues? Can those in this subculture fight back without facing deportation of themselves or a loved one? If no legal recourse exists, then perhaps the lack of action is because its risky to fight back?
Also, what is the legal recourse? Is it expensive? If these are hourly workers, or piece-rate workers; the cost of a lawyer neccessary to combat a degrading employer may be too much. The benefits of the job may outweigh the potential costs of a fight.
Is there a language/cultural barrier here? Pretty sure being mistreated is a feeling that can transcend language, but worth investigating....do these people know they are being treated poorly?
Not trying to sound cold and mathematical, but sometimes asking questions like this can seem this way. My main objetive would be to find out what public policy action could be taken to empower this subculture to challenge their status and rightfully claim equality?
Anyway, complete sidnote, my new blog address is: ostrichjockey.blogspot.com
True compassion is to feel or recognize someone else is in distress AND to do something to alleviate it. Sympathy can be a good thing, to notice someone feels poorly and feel sorry for them but Christ calls us to compassion.
sorry you don't get to see your wife anymore....can i be your wife?
pow!
I'll only post this ONCE (an admission that the Bearded One's thoughts are approx. 3 times as insightful as my own).
One pressing thought with which I've been challenged is this:
When we consider 'slavery' as a nearly universal reality throughout almost all of human history, we tend to look at our democracy in a very good comparative light.
Truly we can say that this experiment of the U.S. is praiseworthy for granting full and equal legal status & citizenship, leading to the abolition of slavery.
But there's more to the picture than this, for people have never been fully equal in any society nor will they ever be. Justice still serves the rich far better than the poor, & the opportunities are not equally distributed by any means.
Can this ever be changed in a complex, over-populated civilization? Sure the local tribe can still maintain basic equality in all of these ways, but a major city - even a major city in the good ol' USA where everybody enjoys equal rights & what not?
In a fallen world there will never be full equality. Life simply isn't fair, people look after themselves & their own, & greed still guides us at the fundamental level. The result is apathy toward the plight of others & a blinding self-pity because after all WE're the ones who are struggling to get by while THEY're the "rich" ones - right?
Honesty forces the admission that Marx at least had a couple of realities clearly in his grasp regarding capitalism - it will make a few people incredibly wealthy and leave a bunch of people in poverty- ALL without the guilt (unless some OTHER source - the Bible, genuine conscience, etc.) remind us that democracy & the free market do not grant moral license to store up all the money privately without any obligation or compassion toward the ones who suffer.
A hard teaching, indeed.
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