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RACIAL ETHNIC MINISTRIES

Cultural Competence in a Diverse World Workshop

In mid-November at Montrose Zion UMC, the East Ohio Conference Committee on Religion and Race held a day- long workshop, "Cultural Competence in a Diverse World." Rev. Dr. Barbara Isaacs, associate general secretary of the General Commission on Religion and Race was the featured guest leader for the event. Isaacs' GCORR portfolio includes Education, Institutional Development, White Constituency Anti-Racism Concerns and GCORR’s work and relationships in the Northeastern Jurisdiction.

Isaacs' recognition of her own white privilege and recognition of God's charge to tack action against wrong doing, has motivated her to challenge institutional racism and white privilege within the church and to confront the alienating whiteness of political, social and economic institutions of the global community. Her path of pursuing racial justice and reconciliation has been both personal and public. "It is an unending struggle and awakening in my life and in the life of our church, said Isaacs. "It is a journey to perfection in holy love, a journey that we must walk together.”

Using workbooks, videos, panel discussions, sharing and participant exercises, Isaacs helped identify those conditions that create "circles of privilege," "power and privilege," and "the costs of whiteness."

In one revealing exercise, 18 participants were gathered into a circle where they were all asked the same questions. Depending on their answer to the question they were to take steps forward into the circle or to take steps backward out of the circle. After questioning, it was evident that the circle had been broken. Some participants stood close to the center while others stood far way. Those in proximity to the center had experienced the ill-effects of "power and privilege" in their lives. Those on the outermost areas of the circle had not. Isaacs asked participants how they felt about where they stood. One father, closest to the center of the circle responded to Isaacs saying that that he felt angry that he had experienced much racial prejudice in his life, but then he also felt proud because standing on the outer-most area of the same circle was his teenage daughter. One woman standing on the outside of the circle said she felt guilty, comparing herself to those within the inner circle. Isaacs explained to the woman that she shouldn't feel guilty, that the woman's social and economic experiences had had a direct hand in where she stood in the circle.

The two panel discussions showcased three individuals on each panel. The first included: Rev. Orlando Chaffee, North Coast District Superintendent; Nathan Murphey, CCYM President; and Donna Kaye Montemayor, president, United Methodist Women. The second included: Joe Hightower, member, Youngstown Centenary UMC; Rev. Edna Stahl, chair, Committee on Racial Ethnic Empowerment; and Davida Whitt, CCYM, North Coast representative. Each panelist shared their life experiences focusing on prejudices or privileges that each had observed.

Videos revealed that the political, social and economic institutions of our global community have greatly contributed to the ethnic polarization of past years. They also emphasized the need to continue to pursue racial justice and reconciliation in the future.

Throughout the workshop Isaacs asked the participants to talk amongst themselves about what they had just seen or heard and share their own experiences. They shared, they listened and they grew in understanding. The goal for the day was to bring individuals together, sending them away with a deeper understanding of those present and to root a sense of support for racial justice. It was a well received learning experience for all.

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