言葉はささやき、行動は雷鳴のごとく。Words whisper, Actions thunder (Japanese)
言葉はささやき、行動は雷鳴のごとく。Words whisper, Actions thunder (Japanese)
Part 1 Introduction, a history lesson
Part 2 What my peers are saying
Part 3 What I learned
Part 4 Epilogue
Part 1 Introduction, A history lesson
Soon after the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, effectively placing over 100,000 West Coast residents of Japanese descent, the majority of them American citizens, into incarceration camps. Racism against Japanese Americans was rampant as much of the country grew more fearful and suspicious of collaboration with the Japanese government.
President Roosevelt activated the 442nd Regimental Combat Team on February 1, 1943,
Today, the 442nd is remembered as the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of the US military. The unit, totaling about 18,000 men, over 4,000 Purple Hearts, 4,000 Bronze Stars, 560 Silver Star Medals, 21 Medals of Honor, and seven Presidential Unit Citations[1]
The 44duece, as it is known in Hawaii (my home state), served as what to do in the face of racism. No one was interested in talking about the rightness or wrongness of Japanese racism; the Japanese Americans spilled their blood (as did many minorities) to reclaim the right to speak at the U.S. melting pot table.
Words whisper, Actions thunder. This was the message on a sign hanging on my boss’s office wall in Korea. In this space, we daily served as a deterrent to the North Koreans. In short, his call to action was less talk and more action. We were the human trip wire that spoke to defending freedom—no talk, just diligent presence.
So, my mind went awry when I read Peter G. Boghossian and James A. Lindsay’s book, How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide. [2] This is for those who talk eloquently, with purpose, and one hopes with deep meaning. A part of me wants to put it back on the shelf without a backward glance.
Part 2 What my peers are saying
Kim Sanford DLGPO2 writes, “Hi, my name is Kim. I’m an ideologue… They define ideologue as “one who is unwilling or unable to revise their (moral) beliefs. “And just to be clear, they portray an ideologue in, shall we say, less than complimentary terms.
I guess I am an extremist, an Idealogue. Before even wondering if I would die for my faith, I KNOW that I would die for what some call religiously biased documents that write, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Viva idealogues!
John Fehlen DLGP02 writes, “Peter Boghossian has given us a masterful book (honestly) on how to have impossible conversations, all the while trying to convince the reader, particularly those he calls “religious hardliners” (pg. 6), that we are crazy to believe what we believe. NOTE: If you inspectionally read this one, just trust me, he put those that believe the Bible, the resurrection of Jesus, etc. on blast from page 1 through to the footnotes.
These words sadden me, but Boghossian gives us an out. See below.
Part 3 What I learned
Boghossian writes, “How should you handle the “problem of not being in complete agreement? Simple: Let people be wrong! (Stone, Patton, Heen, 2010). We should take his advice and let him be wrong about our faith in Christ. Our words will not convince him. Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggie Tales, seems to be in a place to minister to Boghossian, who, when he faceplants and comes to a place where his soul reaches out for God, will discover the God-shaped void in his heart can only be filled by the ONE. Vischer is patient, listens, and stands ready to share the truth.
The polarization of the US presidential election in 2024 was fraught with impossible conversations. Immigration is one of those topics. Pastor Stu Cocanaugher helped me see the futility of trying to convince churches to follow the biblical mandates of “loving the foreigner amongst us.” He saw it as a waste of time and energy. Instead, he directed my NPO towards providing a tool for churches that allowed them to say “yes” to refugee resettlement. Thus Interlinkt.org, a refugee resettlement mobile website, was born.
Part 4 Epilogue
Interlinkt provides initial guidance for cross-cultural ministry with refugee resettlement. It even has some of the recommended characteristics that the extols.
In task #1 it reads,
- Learn about them: Cross-cultural relationship building improves when we learn more about the countries and the conflicts that caused international displacement. Countries studies for the Temporary Protected Status Countries (TPS) are attached for your review. Refugees flee conflict; see the websites below to understand what issues surround the newcomer move.
- Learn from them: While International newcomers also have much to learn about their new homeland, they also have much to teach us: 1) language, 2) an international perspective, 3) native customs and traditions, and 4) their religion and faith.
- Learn with them: The resettlement process involves complex tasks requiring a joint effort between the newcomer, volunteer, and resettlement case worker. There is much to accomplish within the first 1st 30, 60, and 90 days. Most federal financial assistance ends at the 90-day mark when newcomers “graduate” from resettlement agencies. However, expecting international newcomers to learn English, find a job, buy a car, resettle into school, etc.…within the 90-day time limit is almost impossible. Survival beyond the 90 days falls to the teamwork of the newcomer and volunteer.
At the end of the day, The authors get something right….
Listening p. 6 or James 1:19: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”,
Patience (p.132 or Proverbs 16:32: “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”), and
Understanding (p. 10 or Proverbs 4:7: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
These are not bad takeaways from the book.
Shalom
[1] 442nd Regimental Combat Team,” The National WWII Museum, accessed November 14, 2024, https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/442nd-regimental-combat-team.
[2] Boghossian, Peter G. How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide. First edition. New York, NY: Life Long, 2019.
About the Author
Russell Chun
interlinkt.org is now ready for your Refugee Resettlement needs. 15 tasks, languages ESL plans coming4 responses to “言葉はささやき、行動は雷鳴のごとく。Words whisper, Actions thunder (Japanese)”
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Russell, snaps to you! I appreciate how you were honest about the authors and intent, but how you also didn’t throw it all out! and found scripture to back them up! Whoop Whoop!
Well done.
Thanks.
At this point in critical thinking, we need to swim around the bath water before we toss it out.
Pam Lau quoted a LOT of Haidt and I appreciated her flashback. (I used his Socratic questions at my Immigration Symposium) to get people thinking.
Shalom, Shalom
Hey Russell. I just wanted to say I love when you wrote. “We should take his advice and let him be wrong about our faith in Christ.” You are so right and I just love that because I didn’t even think of that. Brilliant, sir.
You are too kind. Brilliant and I rarely exist in the same sentence these days. Thanks.