Racism, Women and Hope
Fuller, Brett, Dreaming In Black And White.
1) What are the main pivotal points/thesis of the books?
Because there is sin in the world, where the majority victimizes the minority (I include all places in the world – not just the U.S.), I wonder if the generalized expression that “racism will never end” will haunt humanity’s steps till HE comes again. [1]
I am taken in with Brett Fuller’s Epilogue in “Dreaming in Black and White” [2]
He writes, “I believe dark forces are behind the sin of bigotry and racism. Those forces can move individuals and entire groups to hate, to racism and to lies. If true, then we have a two-tiered battle, a fight at two levels. We must contend with love and legislation ….Yet I think we see in the story I’ve just told that there is a spiritual battle we must also fight. We have to take a prayerful stand against those invisible but powerful battalions that work behind the scenes.” (169)
Because Fuller so clearly identifies the spiritual battle, then the spiritual conclusion is that this sin, as all others, will continue to the “end of times.” Ephesians 6 and the spiritual armor of God serves as a warning and as solution.
Putting all cynicism aside, Fuller’s words resonate loudly with me. “Walk in love. Kneel in humility. Serve with the strength God provides. Speak the truth with compassion. Care for your enemy and do not rejoice when he fails. Be the difference you are trying to create.
Let us set ourselves to the task. “
2) Fuller urges us to BE the difference strongly reminds me of Greg Satell’s, Cascades: How to Create a Movement That Drives Transformational Change. [3] How can we be the change?
Fuller, Brett High Ceilings: Women in Leadership
1) What are the main pivotal points/thesis of the books?
Fuller lists the different categories on this topic.
Complementarian: Men and women have different but complementary roles and responsibilities in marriage, family life, and religious leadership.
Egalitarian: Positions of authority and responsibility in marriage and religion should be equally available to females as well as males.
Complementary-Egalitarian: Within the bonds of matrimony and family, men and women have different but complementary roles and responsibilities. Outside of the familial context, positions of authority and responsibility should be equally available to females as well as males.
Suppressionists: Men are superior to women in every way: therefore, women in every way; therefore, women need men to aid them in all areas of life.
Fuller is in the Complementary Egalitarian camp. “Therefore , in this preachers’ estimation, a woman’s functional ceiling in the church is as low as her gifting, calling, and capacity allow. (Kindle location, 41)
2) Based on pivotal points/thesis of the books, what questions would you like to ask the authors when you meet them?
How can we be the element of change?
Wallis, Jim. God’s Politics(4)
1) What are the main pivotal points/thesis of the books?
Wallis’ title set the stage for the rest of his book, Why can’t we talk about religion and politics?
The major point, Fuller states, is “The real battle, the big struggle of our times, is the fundamental choice between cynicism and hope.” (Kindle location 346)
He goes on , “So they retreated to cynicism as the refuge from commitment…Cynicism protects you from commitment. If things are not really going to change, why try too hard to make difference?”
The response to this cynicism is hope, states Wallis. He writes, “Hope is not a feeling, it is a decision.” (Kindle 346)
2) Based on pivotal points/thesis of the books, what questions would you like to ask the authors when you meet them?
What hope can we find in the two current conflicts, Israel/Palestine, Ukraine/Russia?
[1] James Baldwin, a prominent author and civil rights activist, often addressed the seemingly never-ending nature of racial injustice in works like “The Fire Next Time” (1963) and “Notes of a Native Son” (1955). His writings discuss the deep-rooted systems of oppression and the challenges of eradicating racism.
Ta-Nehisi Coates, in his essay “The Case for Reparations” (2014) and his book “Between the World and Me” (2015), speaks about the historical and systemic nature of racism, often highlighting how it continues to impact modern society.
Frantz Fanon, in works like “Black Skin, White Masks” (1952) and “The Wretched of the Earth” (1961), discusses the deeply ingrained systems of colonialism and racism, expressing pessimism about the ease of overcoming these structures.
[2] BRETT FULLER, DREAMING IN BLACK AND WHITE (S.l.: BOOKBABY, 2021).
[3] Greg Satell, Cascades: How to Create a Movement That Drives Transformational Change (New York Chicago San Francisco Athens London Madrid Mexico City Milan New Delhi Singapore Sydney Toronto: McGraw-Hill Education, 2019).
{4} Jim Wallis, God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It, 1. paperback ed., [Nachdr.] (New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 2008).
About the Author
Russell Chun
interlinkt.org is now ready for your Refugee Resettlement needs. 15 tasks, languages ESL plans coming10 responses to “Racism, Women and Hope”
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Hi Russell,
I appreciate the question you are posing to Jim Wallis, “What hope can we find in the two current conflicts, Israel/Palestine, Ukraine/Russia?” I look forward to hearing more on those topics. You talk about feeling both cynicism and hope. They both seem to fuel your compassionate actions. I’m looking forward to our time in DC. I can’t believe it’s our last Advance! And please do bring your fedora! The advance wouldn’t be the same without it!:)
Hi Jenny,
As of yesterday, “someone” had pagers held by Hezbollah members explode at the same time. A day later the walkie talkies that they switched to exploded.
Vengeance is promised and I wonder at the prospects of hope. I am looking at Desmond Tutu’s book on me desk, “No future without forgiveness.”
It is hard for me to imagine forgiveness happening any time soon.
The cycle of violence continues.
I have an app on my phone that tracks air raid alerts in Ukraine. I pick the region where my GoodSports Intern is located and if it is in Munkachevo, Kryvyi Rih, Ternopil, or Kyiv I fire off a “how are you” to friends who live there.
In both places despair, and anger are undercurrents impacting everyday life.
I hear Fuller’s words…Walk in love. Kneel in humility. Serve with the strength God provides. Speak the truth with compassion. Care for your enemy and do not rejoice when he fails. Be the difference you are trying to create. Let us set ourselves to the task.
Wow….
Russell- Nice work on your synopsis of this week’s reading. I am curious with your exposure to the conflict in Ukraine how Wallis’ book sat with you? Did you find it inspiring or challenging, or both? Would you add anything to what he had to say about the battle between cynicism and hope?
I think I am the posterchild for cynicism these days. I really have decided to let the presidential rhetoric fly over me. I have one vote and will prayerfully cast it.
My time in Ukraine gave me hope. I saw Ukrainian Christians leaping towards the tasks that God has set before them. They share this “hope” with all those who flock to the churches (no church – no matter what denomination is empty).
People are grasping for normalcy and grounding (churches, cafe’s, and kids sports). In these mundane activities they commune together and find hope.
Not sure if that answers your question.
Nice summaries Russell! Thank you. It’s fun to see how all of us are reading these books through our own experience and lenses. Hope you get to ask a few of these questions.
Hi Jana,
I seem to be really dipping my toes into the readings lately. I will have to go back and do a deeper dive.
Lately, I have been filling out template for our portfolio (as many of us are doing) and finding several holes in my research…sigh.
Shalom.
What hope can we find in the two current conflicts, Israel/Palestine, Ukraine/Russia?
Hey Russell, that word “hope” changes your entire question because I’m sure many people have no hope in regard to these conflicts. I’m going to keep that word before me as I think about these conflicts. Thanks for the good word and see ya soon, my friend!
Hi Todd,
I am looking at Desmond Tutu’s book “No Future Without Forgiveness.” Perhaps our HOPE is tied to FORGIVENESS.
Lately, I have been filling out template for our portfolio (as many of us are doing) and finding several holes in my research…sigh.
Shalom.
“What hope can we find in the two current conflicts, Israel/Palestine, Ukraine/Russia?”
This is a great question, Russell. I would love to heat his thoughts on this. I like that you related his book to a current situation.
Looking forward to seeing you in a few days.
Hi Jonita,
“No Future Without Forgiveness,” Desmond Tutu.
Perhaps our HOPE is tied to FORGIVENESS, but I cannot see the road to forgiveness.
Lately, I have been filling out template for our portfolio (as many of us are doing) and finding several holes in my research…sigh.
Shalom.