It is amazing how the seemingly little world of peace and tranquility can suddenly be thrown into such upheaval. With one small anomaly of deviation a shift begins to manifest. Cultural change and megatrends have our highly categorized world ready to invert on its axis. One might say, “This commotion will surely usher in the return of Christ or implode into the Mayan calendar’s version of the end of times.”

Suddenly, we must stop and shake ourselves and say, “It’s only a basketball player we’re talking about here!”  The brief history of the storied Jeremy Lin is just now developing into the good news story that one would expect.  Lin is a good Christian guy who is overcoming the odds of being more than just a minor league career player, yet he is breaking new ethnic barriers and destroying stereotypes concerning Asian Americans.

After one ESPN writer was fired, a TV anchor from the same network was suspended, and an MSG Network writer was reprimanded, all for using racially insensitive language. Amazingly enough, their behavior occurred in this time of so-called post-racial America. We still don’t know how to stop this clumsy sojourn through the meander of ethnic diversity in this country. Numerous people try to suppress any talk of ethnic diversity, racial bias and racism. Consequently, we are simply treating the symptoms (i.e., the acts of offense) over and over again. This is by definition insanity: doing the same thing again and again while expecting a different result.

The matters of the heart are where God lives. There is an old saying, “You cannot legislate morality.”When we look to this place where God lives, we must look at us, followers of Christ, and ask ourselves how we deal with ethnic diversity and its value to us.  Do we deal with it at all?

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”Matthew 6:21 King James Version (KJV)

In all the talk about social issues in this election season there remains a lack of talk concerning “love” for one another (multi ethnically).Followers of Christ treat the symptoms by talking in the same highly polarizing extremes as society in general. This attitude does not promote the true reconciliation and love inspired oneness, which is in Christ. Galations 3:28

The real challenge is to move deeper than the experience of sitting next to someone of a different hue on the pew in a multiethnic setting. We, as followers of Christ, must lead society toward correcting this reckless clumsiness with deeper intentional multiethnic relationships by “Building the Bridge Together” from all sides of the ethnic/cultural divide. Because,  “If you know me, you will know how to speak correctly to me and concerning me.”- Kevin Robinson

With this in mind we can better prepare for the next Jeremy Lin.

Kevin Robinson, Executive Director

This story was originally posted by Starlette McNeill  February 17, 2012  On “THE DAILY RACE”  (Faith seeking an understanding without race)

Acccept it: racial supremacy. Blend it: melting pot. Ignore it: color blind. Deny it: white privilege. We have come up with many potential solutions to the presence of race in American society. None of which have rid us of the tension of this socially constructed human difference. When I was in elementary school, the image of the melting pot was presented as a means of explaining how the different cultures of American society come together.The textbook went on to discuss the many dangers of mixing: American slavery, The Trail of Tears, Japanese internment camps, Jim Crow segregation and the like.  Still, in the pot, no one stands out but all are gathered to make one grand cultural dish wherein all of the cultures and their traditions are evident, named, seen, experienced and equally represented. But, we all know that this was not true in the 1990s and is certainly not true now. I did not know at the time but the term was made popular by a play performed in 1908 (A copy of the playbill is pictured on the left.). The image has since been challenged and today, America is described as both a “salad bowl,” wherein each of the ingredients remain distinct.

But, while many might agree that the idea of the melting pot is problematic, it is still viewed by many as the American way. Wait. I’ll prove it to you. The melting pot is about acculturation, assimilation and more importantly, identification as persons are melted down to an homogenized image of what it means to be an American, which is raised as the standard and in turn, becomes our golden calf. It is the image that we bow down to; this image of whiteness that was presented to the Italians, Jews, and those from Poland who first immigrated to the United States. The Chinese immigrants faired worse as they were often ostracized and forced to form their own communities of support, referred to as ”Chinatown.” Today, we hear the same arguments that were presented beginning in the 1890s when there is discussion of immigration laws, America’s borders and the “browning of America.”  The mixture of equal parts or at least the illusion of such must be maintained. We are deciding who gets to be in the pot.

And the melting pot begs the question, “What are we attempting to make?” And since we’re on the subject: Whose recipe are we using? Who decides which cultural groups get to go in? Who is adjusting the heat? Who is responsible for the mixing? How will we know when the melting is complete? What is the desired appearance of the mixture, the end result, the desired outcome? And are we mixing and melting in order to form an image?  And if so, of who or what? At least for me, it would call for one who is not able to be mixed in, who must remain pure and whose presence is not a requirement. Who is removing the dross and what classifies as such? Who is standing over the melting pot? Finally, ”Is God calling us to jump into a melting pot?” I don’t think so and I’m jumping out.

Jeremy Lin has brought an incredible buzz to the world of NBA Basketball. He has achieved in just a few games what has never been statistically, by averaging 27 points per game in his first five starts. Some have brought the issue of the ethnic divide into this seemingly universally gratifying story. Championship boxer Floyd Mayweather posted on twitter: “Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he’s Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise”.

Neither of these statements could be any farther from to the truth. The greater question is where does this sentiment come from? Is it the Black, Yellow Dividei.e. the distrust and racial tension that seem to exist between African Americans and Far East Asians? Or is this another way for the Dominate Culture to encourage the “Divide and Conquer formula”.

At the root of this would seem to be subconscious attempts to delay the re-coloring of America. If we can remember back to the presidential election, there was then the so-called Black and Brown Divide between African Americans and Latinos that was talked about extensively, but never materialized.

However the far more sinister effort is in play as some have said that we shouldn’t look at Lin’s ethnicity. And why he should just be seen as a great basketball player?   Though that all sounds nice; stripping him of his God-given uniqueness as a human being is not the answer.  This is the result of the apprehension that allows for the individual and cultural symphony of our society to be silenced by a fear of the bright shiny object on the cultural spectrum therefore causing many others to fear that they will lose their brilliance.

To put it another way is to understand that when we talk about a breakthrough of yet one more ethnic group overcoming our tightly packaged world of categorization which is forever repeating the system of injustices.   An inkling of reassessment to must be given to the comment made about Lin by Mayweather ‘s overlaying, generalized and painful comment.

Under the surface lies the racist history of not allowing African Americans to play the game they now dominate. Could all of this merely be a well orchestrated combination of the clandestine forces of privilege attempting to keep the rats in the cage at one another’s throats yet again? All of the whiles, at the same time pacifying to the dominate culture’s guilt disguised in a cover of “color blindness”

This whole matter reeks of the old human nature inspired hatred i.e. racism.  Cain and Able played over and yet over again one more monotonous time.

“It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then? ” Galatians 5:15 The Message (MSG)

Reblogged from accord1:

The Language of Reconciliation is one that must be spoken with the Accent of Peace.  Reconciliation among ethnic groups cannot be achieved unless those on all sides are willing to recognize the language spoken beyond the accent or the variables of dialect (cultural framework) in which it is spoken.  Language is when gestures & words go together. When people use gestures to supplement our worlds, to provide a deeper understanding of what we are communicating. Language-(the primary way in which people …

The Language of Reconciliation is one that must be spoken with the Accent of Peace.  Reconciliation among ethnic groups cannot be achieved unless those on all sides are willing to recognize the language spoken beyond the accent or the variables of dialect (cultural framework) in which it is spoken.

 Language is when gestures & words go together. When people use gestures to supplement our worlds, to provide a deeper understanding of what we are communicating. Language-(the primary way in which people communicate with one another) is a system of symbols that can be strung together in an infinite number of ways for the purpose of communicating abstract thought.

What may be most surprising is that many times what are viewed as differences are not. Dialectical differences of syntax or word usage can cause confusion or even conflict when it need not be. In essence people of the same language may be saying the very same thing but simply in a different way. 

In a Walgreens story on facebook the; drug store chain featured a study on how different regions refereed to carbonated soft drinks.  The Great Pop vs. Soda Controversy on the internet, mapped out these various Dialectical differences of describing this one beverage. It is a good thing; stereotypes, profiling, dissention, and racism are not used in these cases of language diversity.

 In order to achieve reconciliation in face to face communication between people, “Self” should not be a means to an ends nor can it be an end unto its self. The concept of “Self” is one that is far too subjective. When attempting to bridge groups and individuals into a dialog of reconciliation

across ethnic boundaries, God’s faithfulness and His trustworthy qualities must be replicated into an atmosphere conducive to Christ’ centered Social Capital.

The Language of Reconciliation is the key in building enough of this Capital to produce real clout i.e. change; in Churches, the Workplace, Communities, and Society at large. This language chooses its’ symbols carefully and the selections of words that are used, are actually thought out. It doesn’t speak with voices of Stereotypes, racism or dissention.

 This language does not cower into a bland, homogenous depiction of a surface level reconciliation that only adds more questions than answers; nor does its’ speaking, disguise mere Political Correctness.

  ‘The value placed upon faithfulness has social implications… [It] is an important aspect of trustworthiness and hence the foundation of the trust which is essential for efficient multi -ethnic relationships.

Faithfulness of this kind also requires truthfulness and in Hebrew thought the word frequently translated ‘truth’ or ‘truthfulness’ is almost interchangeable with faithfulness. Will we tend to think of truth as being primarily concerned with propositional accuracy, Hebrew thought emphasized the requirement to be ‘true’ in character and in the relationships that one has?

The accent of Peace is formed out of the syntax of coalescence i.e. always looking for common ground and bridging any gaps along the way. God’s word further clarifies the accent of peace through simple rules of peaceful engagement in cultivating good cross cultural relationships.

“Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.”  Romans 14:1 The Message (MSG)

The cultural makeup (norms, values, sanctions, folkways and taboos etc.) of various ethnic groups can be used as transitional Phrases of thought or logic, replacing the marginalizing boundaries of dissection, therefore allowing the Language of Reconciliation to speak in the Accent of Peace.

“For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume he should only be a vegetarian and eat accordingly. But since both are guests at Christ’s table, wouldn’t it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn’t eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God’s welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help.”

Romans 14:2-4 The Message (MSG)

The Accent of Peace involves respectful communication which is a unifying vehicle, to use the essence of God’s truth through his word. It is  to be relevant and empathetic between parties.

it is not compromise on God’s standards of moral and ethical character. Word choices are not be accusatory or use non respectful language. Respectful Communication is an invitation to move into deeper understanding of one another by acknowledging our differences. It is  communication that challenges it’s participants to stretch outside of their comfort zones.

The words of respectful communication does not cause participants to lose their identity but they help all parties seek to enhance their identities in peaceful unity, one to another on all sides of the ethnic/cultural chasm.

Kevin K. Robinson Executive Director of Accord1

Young Homie

The late Michael Jackson makes a very poignant declaration to all people in the familiar song when he stated “I’m starting with the man in the Mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways”. Who is one really looking at when one looks into the proverbial mirror and most importantly what is the mirror are they looking into. The large part of that picture is produced by the optic variables that are at work. Many of these optical variables are not determined by ones abilities to perceive but by what takes place in the ambiance i.e. Atmosphere between the reflective surface and the receiver. In essence, culture is the focal point in self perception, so much so that often times  “ we  can’t get out of our own way” in multi-ethnic encounters.

Self is an area that most feel is their sanctuary. Yet, it has been taken captive to the ebbs and flows of  a society and world views of impressions that the (figurative) ambient/atmospheric interference has set. The word of God points to clear evidence of the influence of  Atmospheric societal pressure that aims to be the determining factor in self perception.

“For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and He is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!”

Galatians 6:14-16 The Message (MSG)

In light of the acknowledgement of pressure turning into pretence where self-image is involved, one must take note of the ”Mirror Mirror on the Wall” principal. The fairest one is the one who favors the image of self which has been provided by society. People have been herded like cattle into a certain cast or stereotypical disposition that can turn into a Glass Ceiling or a passport for Privilege. This is dependent upon which side of the power dynamic one finds themselves on.

The reflective surface is where one gets the immediate feedback from the wave length of their cultural persona i.e. “cultural wavelength“. This Wave can be refracted, curved or even distorted according to the condition of the atmosphere; in the same way that a mirage happens over pavement on a hot summer day.

The cultural wave is the common ground upon which ethnic groups share similar experiences and the associated feelings that they produce.

“Young Homey“, written by X Factor sensation Chris Renee exclaims, “Hey young Homie, What  you Trippin on”? ( trippin: When someone is overreacting or getting all bent out of shape over something small: Urban Dictionary). That is the question that all should ask of themselves.

For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].  1 Corinthians 13:12 Amplified Bible (AMP)

If one begins to look for the God purposed “self”. They may not find the clear picture or the stereotyped ultra ego that the society uses to attach everyone to an ethnic profile.  They will not get caught up in the opinionated Mist of a “racial profiling” World, and in some cases Church. Followers of Christ must come out of the Mist and begin to cast down every imagination.

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”     2 Corinthians 10:5 King James Version (KJV)

 In the face of the  failure narrative  of all of those that fit his profile, Chris Renee went on to step out. With imaginations of success, he stepped out on the  X-Factor’s stage.  He had apparently bought into the existence of another reality/possibility for he and his son.

One doesn’t need to underscore or over exaggerate themself (i.e. trippin) against the situational backdrop of the ethnic coding produced by an Atmosphere of division. Through Christ’s love, there is another much simpler reality, which is called Unity. Ps 133. This reality can be realized by believers as they step out onto their stage of faith and therefore imagine a different reality than the ethnic/cultural or class so-called reality that Division’s Atmosphere has predicated.

Re- coloring of America

Auld Lang Syne is an extremely old Scottish song that was first written down in the 1700s by Robert Burns. This is the prime song  selection of every New Years Eve and  it means “out with the old and in with the new”. It is exemplified in the phrase “Should old acquaintance be forgot“. The writer of this song is actually asking a rhetorical question. How can we forget those who have been part of our history? In the “Re- coloring of America” we are remembering that this land that we now call the U.S.A.  is not simply “Europe west” but we are a land that has always been one of multi-ethnic variety.

The many types in the Native American peoples inhabited  America. From the southwest Navajo decedents of the Ancient Pueblo Peoples, to the Iroquois of the Great Lakes, America displayed a rich variety of people at the first arrival of the Europeans. Through the various strands of ancestry they were of diverse ties to their Asian ancestors. Africans were added to the population by the Triangular Trade system of slavery.

Today in this time of the Re-coloring of America, there is room for everyone and no one is excluded because we are of one blood.

“And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;” Acts 17:26King James Version (KJV)

The demographic megatrends evident in America today are not merely numbers and statistics, but this is by divine providence. The social capitol potential in unity between all of the players in the re-coloring of America can give influence to the potential of greatness in America.

Concerning this group of people called African Americans; these people embody the story of America. There once was a comment bantered about in which some people would say “go back to Africa”. If this could be done, African Americans would truly as a group be “fish out of water”. The question would be; who would you pick to go and who would stay? Would it be those based on the darkness of their skin? It is fact that some very dark complexioned persons have more European DNA than those of lighter complexion etc.

From copious reasons, this ethnic group is “America” because of the multi-ethnic blend.  Just think, that some of the better known African Americans such as; Linda Johnson Rice, Chris Rock, Peter Gomes, Tom Joyner, Tina Turner and Maya Angelo are a very misegenated with high percentages of European blood/ancestry. and offer a window into the ancestry of the average African American.  The Re-coloring of African Americans, who have become subjugated to the “one drop of black blood” system, rapes, spliting up of families “passing for white” out of fear along with strands of Native American/Asian an ancestry, qualify this ethnic group as much as anyone to be called simply “Americans”

 These are the same systems that have divided America to it’s core by causing people to choose sides. Sadly the church in times past was in the very center of this divide, aiding and fueling its sting.

“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:”                (i.e.) “and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16,19b (KJV)

However, true followers of Christ are called to the task of “Building the Bridge Together” over the ethnic /cultural divide.

“Should old acquaintance be forgot”? Of course not; because God has called us to the ministry of reconciliation!

The past must be embraced as a part of our story. The rich reservoirs of all of our stories are what make the re-coloring of America so vital. This is a time to study one another even more intently.

The mixed multitude that traveled in the desert with the children of Israel may have had their share of problems, as we do to in 21^st century America. However, the fact remained, and that was that they kept moving.  But the moving that the mixed mulitude did in the Old Testament at times was detrimental to the origional purpose that brought them out into the desert in the first place.

Unlike the children of Israel, these people did not have the depth of their heritage i.e. story/history as a foundation. Various miscues; such as the bulding of the golden calf and the rebellion of Korah etc most certainly defined this group. Nevertheless, it is extremly important that people in 21st century America do not forget the multi ethnic antiquity of this land through their fumbling steps along the way to “a more perfect union”.

Auld Lang Syne is a phrase defined to say: “for times gone by”. One of those times was very note worthy in American history. It was the first Thanksgiving when the Native Americans and their newest European immigrant freinds viewed one another as equals. The Native American Host where not threatened by the immigants but they embraced them. It cannot be over emphasized that the multi ethnic megatrends of today are nothing new. 

That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home. Eph 2: 19-22 (MSG)

“Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot,” -of course not- And auld lang syne?

Kevin K. Robinson Executive Director of Accord1

The Re-coloring of America

 As we look forward to another year, one in which concludes the Mayan calendar along with all of the misguided opinions of what that means in relation to the future. One thing that is true among the many questions and theories of 2012 is the fact of ethnic change in America. This change is change that we have never seen before; or have we?

 This is because of the new alliances that are being formed. Eastern Europeans of the eastern block countries from behind the former Iron curtain are now some of our newest ethnic friends. However, the largest of these mega trends is displayed in the most visible “Coloring of America”.

 The term demographers have chosen to describe the ethnic change occurring in America is  the “Coloring of America”, America’s newest immigrants are coming from Latin America and Asia as opposed to Europe. Many of those prejudicial sentiments spoken against those Europeans of the early 20th century are the same ones spoken against the immigrants and rising populations of color today.

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.”  Ecclesiastes 1:9 New Living Translation (NLT)

The annals antiquity described in Ecclesiastes 1:9 would almost describe this serendipity of demographic irony as the “Re-Coloring of America” . The Mayan calendar will end in 2012. One point in which the Mayans had it right is that in these times that we are in, we are beginning to see a cycle of sorts. At every ending there must be a beginning and at every beginning there must be an ending.

History shows us that the early American continent was inhabited mostly by Native Americans from various degrees of Asian ancestry.  Today the Latino population is the fastest growing population in America. They, of various degrees of native American and Asian ancestry will increase from 24 million in 1992 to 81 million of the future 400 million. While, the Asian population of obvious Asian ancestry, projected 9 million in 1992 to will grow to 41 million and the African American population will stand at 62 million, all of this by 2042.  At this time of ethnic/cultural equilibrium will be complete and the Anglo population will no longer be in the majority.

 An item of note is that is that these present minority groups including African Americans, by far have a higher percentage of infants that have what is called the mongolian-spots on their skin. Though not a fully reliable marker of Native American/Asian ancestry its presence can offer some general possibilities of it.

In the world at large the great majority of humans are middle brown complexion or darker, as  this country, sits as an island to its self. With all of this change, will the American church miss its moment? Will the church in this country fall into the comfortable embrace of political alliances and divisions of class and systematic racism that have left this nation caught somewhere between apathetic complacency and a flashpoint?

During the time of slavery when some courageous Christian leaders conducted portions of the underground railroad, while at the same time, most others of the dominant culture’s church stood idly by and in large part the found its self sequestered on the wrong side of history. 

The church will not miss its moment if all sides of the ethnic divide would dare to build the bridge of this spiritual as well as natural ethno-panoramic Anthology together. The Anthology illuminates through the stories, battles and triumphs of each one sitting at the table of relationship. It is these very real relationships that will make the church in America relevant again

True followers of Christ can be effective in the midst of ethnic change by fulfilling the very definition of religion (binding together that which was disconnected). A single story. selection or sonnet does not qualify as an Anthology. This can only be done though the first begotten of many brethren (Christ) 

“He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.” MSG)Colossians 1:18

If 2012 is to be the end of anything, let it be the beginning of the end of systematic racism which is nothing more than that old sin of hatred. There is enough Social Capital around all sides of the ethnic/cultural divide to coalesce into this so called “more perfect union”. Fear must no longer be our posture concerning the Re-coloring of America. This fear must be exposed for the deception it is by understanding that our story is so very rapped up in “His Story” i.e. “history”

“History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.”  Ecclesiastes 1:9 New Living Translation (NLT)

Kevin K. Robinson Executive Director of Accord1

Happy New Year!

There is a collection of stories embedded in the soliloquy of the master’s story i.e. history. It is this that makes multi ethnic interactive experiences so relevant in a mixed world. Culture is the “Anthology” or many expressions displayed in some of its general aspects of “time, sharing and practice”. Time is the multigenerational aspect of culture. Sharing denotes language that is the carrier or communicator through out the progression of these generations and Practice is what people do with this information in diverse aspects of completion.

Religious faith, history is one that is inclusive, bridging the chasm between God and man along with the one between man and man.  The heterogeneous landscape of our world requires a way to change the rambling noise of division into the poetic melody of harmony and unity. The root of the word “religion” itself is re-ligare, which means to bind together that which is disconnected.

It was this concept that was the impetus of the mixed multitudes in the Sinai and Pentecost experiences of the bible.  The USA stands as a mixed multitude of the nations created for the purpose of religious freedom to (bind together that which is disconnected).

The Christian method of Koinoia Acts 2:46-47(sharing and having all things in common), promotes social capital. Broadly defined, “social capital ” is a term identifying the value of a community’s relationships; in contrast to human capital, which is locked up in the skills of an individual.

Small groups provide the optimum place where these elements of social capital can flourish through the increasing webs of relationships that have potential to develop. Social Capital is built upon trust i.e. trustworthiness and reciprocity: which is expressed as doing for others and not expecting any immediate return.

Speaking multi ethnically, the multi ethnic church service can never reach the face to face trust and reciprocity levels that are achieved in a small group of bridge builders. This is not to say that the multi ethnic service doesn’t have its place; however the level of honesty, sharing and depth of relationships required for cultural singularity are not reached.

No matter how many workshops, classes or “kumbaya” multi ethic services we have; many times in larger settings of the corporate workplace, school, the community in which we live or at church etc, the Elephant in the room ignored. This elephant is the lack of genuine/authentic multi ethnic/racial relationship.

In light of all of this; one may ask how can  this elephant ever be dealt with ? An old saying says “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”  And just as Jesus often left the crowds to spend intimate time with his disciples to share in far greater depth the meaning of the many parables that he would teach.  The Social capital of Christ centered reconciliation must be achieved in the bridging groups intent on going deeper. In this same way we can Build the bridge, “one relationship at a time” in the small group setting.

Bridge Builders are participants of (Bridging social ties that cut across differences such as race, class or ethnicity) groups or organizations. Through the intentionality of their nature, they open the dialog for the far too often shunted discussion of multi ethnic/racial reconciliation, forward motion and goal achievement. In this intimate environment of trust and reciprocity, the freedom for individuals to connect across the ethnic/racial divide through each personal story can be both shared and heard.

Anthology is defined as: a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music. Jesus was most eloquent and effective by His art of telling a story i.e. parable.The soliloquy of His stories produced the foundation of our faith. Through His sacrifice He did “bind together that which is disconnected.” these connecting fibers of each, ”collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music” in us all, remind us that each one- including each personal story, is “God’s gift to the world”.

“God’s gift to the world” recently sang by Kelly Price, Al Jarreau and others written by Phil Perry 1991

“You are like a letter written by Christ and delivered by us. But you are not written with pen and ink or on tablets made of stone. You are written in our hearts by the Spirit of the living God.” 2 Corinthians 3:3 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Kevin K. Robinson Excecutive Director of Accord1

Merry Christmas

A song recently sang by Michael Buble  and a remake of a 1972 hit song by the folk rock band Stealers Wheel by makes one think of the peace located somewhere in the middle. In the case of ethnic/racial relations, in the “somewhere in the middle” place there is a peaceable realm. In this case It must be paramount for people to stay away from racial polarization and therefore the marginalization that result. This practice and this principal tears at the very fabric of peace.  

“and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” Eph6:15 English Standard Version (©2001)

When we put on shoes of readiness, it is for the purpose of going somewhere.

Standing on the periphery will do nothing to bring about this reconciliation that we have been called to. “Clowns to the left of me! Jokers to the right”, exemplifies those who would rather stay stagnant on their side of the cultural divide. The gospel of peace can only be achieved by those who will challenge themselves to step out on to the Bridge of this racial reconciliation to the other side.

It is those peripheral voices which say that multi ethnic unity can never take place. Also included are those who are too in love with the societal as well as the personal world view of their particular ethnic group, to ever want to leave the extreme of division for the middle ground of unity. 2^nd Corinthians 5:18 says that “He (Jesus) Himself is our peace. We are “stuck in the middle with you.” as followers of Christ, All of us have been called to embrace peace. That peace is the very expression of Jesus.

Someone may say why use words such as Clowns and Jokers? This can be explained by simply stating that hypocrisy is at the root of those who plant their stakes into the cold lifeless soil of the extreme and yet try to show the world that they are people of love. In essence if one cannot leave their comfort zone to embrace someone from a different ethnic group then how do we ever solve problems that we regardless, all face together?

In other words, it was people that the bible refers to as the “mixed multitude” that were identified as following the children of Israel in the Old Testaments and Christ himself in the new. The true dialog takes place at the middle point and therefore abolishing the wall of partition. The walls that divide us are potential amalgamation points to become coalesced into the mixed multitude that all are called to become.

The mixed multitude had no other affiliation to the core group except to embrace the strength of the message that was communicated. In the Exodus from Egyptthe message was, moving from bondage and oppression to the freedom of the promise land. In the New Testament the message was, moving from the bondage and oppression of the alienation from God and man to the promise of theKingdom ofGod through reconciliation to both.

This Kingdom was the aforementioned peaceable realm/kingdom. This is a kingdom of peace. Peace is achieved when all hostilities have ceased. To secure a peace, the warring factions must all come to the table leaving no other alternative to peace on that table i.e. ‘stuck in the middle with you”. Being intentioned on “Building the Bridge Together” in face to face dialog; real and lasting peace can be achieved.

To achieve peace, the parties will agree that all weapons must be put away.

The weapons of stereo typing, sweeping generalizations, fear etc. must be put away. The invisible knapsack of the clandestine great protector called White skin privilege must be put away. And the preemptive as well as retaliatory weapon of the “race card” must be placed back under the bottom of the deck.

The word of God says that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.”

The Message translation of this scripture says it this way:

“The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-6(MSG)

 Kevin K. Robinson Executive Director of Accord1