Join an intentional community of people
Be an Advocate for Friendship
In the Midst of Diversity!
Introduction
Racial
reconciliation, racial harmony, racial justice, diversity training, and cultural
sensitivity are words used to describe our awareness or lack of awareness of
the reality of racial prejudice and institutional racism. There are secular and
religious organizations, individuals, and denominations fighting for racial
equality. But here is the question I
would like to propose: Are we gaining greater
understanding and greater acceptance, or are we more confused and more
powerless? My quest is to join with you to explore a pathway for real change. Many
race initiatives expose white privilege, internal racial oppression, and
institutional racism very well. Some walk away racially aware and emotionally
abused. I am envisioning a “next step”
to diversity trainings that will motivate and inspire us to step to the front
line of the battlefield. I believe that the sharing of our stories will
tap into the spiritual strength within each one of us and will teach us how to
be willing participants to promote unity in the midst of diversity between
individuals and communities.
Who Am I?
There were once
abolitionists and segregationists, perhaps de-segregationists and, heaven
forbid, even racists. I am an integrationist! I am African American, over 50,
and a “sold out” believer in the indwelling spiritual power of Jesus Christ. I
seek to gather together and to help integrate individuals of different ethnic,
cultural, socio-economic environments, and faith beliefs into a circle of safe
dialogue for the purpose of developing multiracial friendships, mutual
learning, and reconciliation healing and hope. The essence of being an
integrationist is persistence, perseverance, and presence.
I am advocating that a movement towards the
development of intentional friendships across culture, race, and religion is
necessary for reconciliation to begin. Our impetus for change comes from a
repentant heart. I choose to believe that we can “undo racism” because racism
is learned, and it can be unlearned. As a committed integrationist, I envision
a Hearts In Harmony reciprocal community that sees racial and ethnic diversity
as central to its existence.
I envision a community that seeks to develop faithful leaders of all
peoples and are committed to a cross-cultural covenant that transcends and
transforms personal preference. It will be our collaborative effort that
enables us to effectively address social and racial injustice.
We are FAT: Faithful,
Available, and Teachable. The birthing
of this intentional movement towards change is nourished through trust and
ongoing dialogue across the boundaries of socio-economics, disability,
religion, gender, culture, and race. This movement towards change I boldly claim
as: Operation Koinonia.
Friendship
in The Midst of Diversity
This movement is defined by a community of people who are intentionally
working towards developing authentic, reconciling dialogue that seeks to
proclaim life together through honesty, humility, confession, forgiveness,
concern, restoration, accountability, availability, acceptance, and love.
STARTED MY NEW JOB TODAY. I AM THE newest member of the KEZ (Kingdom Enterprise Zone) Team. PRAYER MOBILIZER for the sw region ... yeaaaa for God! I am so ready. I wil be Working with the initiatives of the KEZ to start new church plants between the RCA & the CRC; developing new prayer fronts and advancing the Kingdom in new ways.
