I have been hesitant to write about the events in Ferguson,
MO, over the past couple of weeks because of fear of insensitive or simplistic
response to this human tragedy. I have
feared that one more ponderous white voice, which hardly can plumb the depths
of black umbrage in the face of white privilege, would not be helpful. I am, at heart, an academic, who tends to
prolong thinking at the expense of action.
Keeping
silent, however, gives the impression of lack of care or negligence in the face
of ongoing racism in our neighboring city, St. Louis, or our own Kansas City,
which has its own racial dividing lines.
I cannot fathom the despair of black parents who do all they can to
prepare their children for the disparity in educational, financial, and social
dimensions of 2014 American life.
I am a
child of the pre-segregation South/Southwest, albeit Oklahoma did not fit
neatly into the protracted civil rights journey of Alabama and Mississippi, and
other states of the Deep South. Yet, the
bigotry of Jim Crow shaped my educational experience, also. We had two high schools in my hometown of
Muskogee—Central High School and Manual Training—the former white, the latter
black. Even the name of the black high
school indicated a prejudice about academic promise.
I remember
when my home church took a vote on whether to admit black members of the
congregation. It was not a placid
business meeting in the late 60’s, and I wondered about the ferocity of the
argument. It seemed at odds with our
understanding of the Gospel, yet parochial tradition retained a strong voice.
The stain of racism has blemished many a Baptist church, my own included. Hence, it would be only fair to describe
myself as a “recovering racist.”
Central
strives to be a school that “flattens” educational privilege. This means that we are intentional about whom
we will scholarship and how we will build diverse cohorts. We are learning that white churches and black
churches and immigrant churches need one another to live into the dream of
Jesus’ prayer—“that they might be one.” Yet, we cannot spiritualize the real
acts of violence that are based in racial prejudice.
Several of
Central’s alums have been close to the bloodstained drama unfolding in Ferguson. Ministering in neighboring communities, they
have drawn near to the need for pastoral care, thoughtful interpretation of
what they have observed on the ground, and relevant advocacy for justice.
The
Director of Social Media for Central, Francisco Miguel Litardo, felt drawn to
be present to the critical events in Ferguson, especially the ways in which
pastoral care has been offered to the suffering. I give thanks for his presence and
willingness to provide images of what has been transpiring.
Central is
aware that we are still viewed as a “white” institution, even thought we are
not majority white. While that is our
historic identity, the presence of many others, all a part of the family of
God, is transforming us toward the goal of racial equity. For this, we are grateful.
Molly T. Marshall
Central prepares women and men for seeking God, shaping church, and serving humanity.
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