United We Stand, Divided We Fall
Unity makes or breaks a country…
In summary of the recent read, “The Rise and Fall of Apartheid”, it appears that unity was the secret ingredient for the rise and fall of the South Africa apartheid. The lack of unity of Africans set a stage for an apartheid to take hold, in the same way, African unity was instrumental in capsizing the apartheid in the early 90’s. Ironically, poverty bypassed the segregated apartheid system, as people of all races lived and worked together within the slums. They did not have the luxury to marginalize or disqualify people according to race and color, for they depended on one another. Outside the slums, there was a fear of race mixing, as the voices of Africans and people of color were diluted and stifled by the white minority in every area of society, preventing them from developing identity and power within their own country.
It was intriguing to note how much social engineering and political maneuvering went into establishing an apartheid. The emphasis of the South African apartheid was for the whites to organize and remain in power by reinforcing segregation through laws and fostering a culture that kept African citizens at a disadvantage. This also created identity confusion for the Africans, which in turn created challenges for them to unite and organize as a country. The required work and resources needed to establish such a system consumed valuable resources. To separate people based on color, race, and class and to deem one race as superior, and entitled to rule appears to be an antiquated and burdensome way to live. And yet, we see these values repeated in many generations and countries throughout history.
Bringing it home…
The USA introduced a segregation mindset with apartheid values still influencing our country today. With Native Americans being the original residents, they are now considered wards of the state and relegated to Indian reservations. Slavery introduced segregation based on ethnicity, with the residue of its effects still haunting our nation today, as evidenced by discriminatory actions. Genders were segregated, as males were given positions of power, land ownership, and political control, while women could not vote, own land, or have equal access to work. Promotions were consistently made according to gender versus ability, and churches have often segregated according to beliefs, class, and ethnicity; all are consistent reminders that segregation is tragically woven into the fabric of our country.
What could happen if we were all committed to unity versus segregation according to gender, ethnicity, and class? What would our country or our world be like? Our resources could go into improving the education system, promoting efficient healthcare, developing social systems for immigrants, improving the political system, and caring for our elderly, versus using our resources to provide huge insurance policies to protect us from discriminatory action, building “walls” (figuratively and literally) to keep certain races out, and categorizing humans according to their sexuality, gender and status instead of their ability and worth.
In the church, there are natural divides on Pentecostal vs. traditional, denominational vs. non-denominational, member vs. non-member, male vs. female, straight vs. gay, pastors vs. lay pastors, divorced vs. married, and so the segregation goes on. It appears to be wasting valuable emotional and physical resources on finding ways to segregate versus methods to connect. Whether or not we agree with the differences, finding unity where we can, and building bridges with one another built on common ground, could be better for our country, our world, and our churches. This keeps us from staying segregated and experiencing identity confusion and moves us into growing with connectedness and unity, while firmly establishing our identity. Yet, keeping our individuality, our values, and our differences also makes for a rich culture and community. Being the same in beliefs and values does not create a valuable balance and beauty to complement and contrast one another.
To avoid segregation thinking and apartheid values, our challenge appears to be: to create unity despite our differences and create a revolution fueled by peace and love. Africa had Nelson Mandela. India had Gandhi and Mother Theresa. America had Martin Luther King Jr. And the church had Martin Luther, who birthed the Protestant movement, with his revolutionary act of posting the 95 Thesis. Our world has the Church. As Jesus’ disciples, we are called to be revolutionaries and peaceful warriors, as we navigate the challenges of loving humans we differ with, building community, and encouraging unity within the church as fostered by the Holy Spirit. How can we be revolutionaries to create fair and unified systems that honor God, respect each other, and demonstrate value for enhancing our cultures? Our world is craving for a loving, unified, peaceful community, and in so many ways, this is what the church inspires and can grow more to be.
About the Author
Jennifer Dean-Hill
9 responses to “United We Stand, Divided We Fall”
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Thank you Jennifer. You make an excellent point—”finding unity where we can, and building bridges with one another built on common ground, could be better for our country, our world, and our churches.”
I guess this all brings us back to the summit of the gospel as summarized in Galatians 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Wow, Jennifer, this is a powerful essay.
It seems like so much of our desire for separateness, for distinction between people is fueled by fear. Perhaps fear of no longer being “special” and “set apart.” I think about Jonah’s response when God wanted him to preach repentance in Nineveh– “but God, if I preach, they’ll repent and you’ll not destroy them? How can you give them the same right to salvation as you gave your people?!?” We seem to lean into that “special” status of being “better than” someone else, and are fearful when the possibility of “equally special” is presented.
Preach it, Pastor Jen!!
I think you identified the problem that Mandela and De Klerk finally agreed on, “It appears to be wasting valuable emotional and physical resources on finding ways to segregate versus methods to connect. ”
As a counselor you must have some answers to the question of why we seem happier trying to make ourselves superior to other people rather than humbly trying to see ‘others as better than ourselves’ as Paul tells the Philippians. I agree with you; the church needs to do some work here, too.
Great post!!
Jennifer,
I enjoyed your post. In summary, God always raises someone up in the midst of turmoil and disarray to bring peace, order, and direction.
“What could happen if we were all committed to unity versus segregation according to gender, ethnicity, and class?” YES
In my MDiv thesis research I came upon the realization that Paul’s consistent call throughout all of his writings (and even those now considered to be pseudo-Pauline) is for unity. He does not call for complete agreement, but unity in the name of Christ. In those passages where he seems to be placing one type of person over another, read in context of his call for unity, it becomes clear that he wants us to lay down our power, not try to impose it on others. I’m not sure why we struggle so to grasp this.
Jen,
Great post – It is no doubt true that much is possible with unity – much more than could be possible on our own.
The issue, I think, more than any other, is that we often seek only partial unity. Or rather that we so often seek to unify against someone or something ‘other’ that what we define as ‘ourselves’ or ‘us’.
When we ‘unify’ that way most of the things we end up building don’t actual edify ‘us’ or anyone else.
Great post Jen! I would say that in order to reach unity we have to face the truth. The truth about why we are divided. The truth that is hard for many in this country to face. Once we are able to face the truth then we can move toward reconciliation. Until then, unfortunately, these issues will continue to remain.
Jen, I appreciate your positive attitude (as usual). I fully agree with you that Paul’s teaching was radical when He proclaimed that there is no superiority between Jews, Greeks, Men, Women, etc.
Yet, I also know that there has to be a distinction between unity and uniformity. For example, A Christian, A Mormon , and a Jehovah’s witness church can all work together to care for the homeless, but their vast differences in Christology may keep them from worshipping together. A church with members who believe that they have been “delivered” from a Gay or Lesbian identity may have a tough time cooperating with with an “open an affirming church.” Finally, my church (which is Baptist) is embarrassed that we share the same monitor as Westboro Baptist Church. My point? Scripture gives us both a challenge towards unity, and a clear admonishment against false doctrine. In other words “it’s complicated.”