What is Race? Jane Elliot Race: A Biological Category or a Social Construct? A Theological and Ministerial Response Cultural Sensitivity Webinar #2 September 16, 2015 Hugo Magallanes Associate Professor of Christianity and Cultures Blue eyes vs Brown Eyes Exercise Why did this exercise/experiment work? Power and Authority How did she support her arguments? Did it work only with children? What about persons at correctional facility? Academic Performance and Racial Identity during the exercise Can you identify practices that resemble this exercise/experiment (consciously or unconscious ly in our societies/churches? 1. A group of people identified as distinct from other groups because of supposed physical or genetic traits shared by the group. Most biologists and anthropologists do not recognize race as a biologically valid classification, in part because there is more genetic variation within groups than betweenthem. 2. A group of people united or classified together on the basis of common history, nationality, or geographic distribution: the Celtic race. 3. A genealogical line; a lineage. 4. Humans considered as a group. Webster Dictionary A set of biological traits used to identify and/or classify persons into groups DNA based organization of persons into racial groups, this approach is highly contested A sociological category created to differentiate persons, typically, the dominant group gives itself higher status, while others are classified, as different and precisely as others. Theologically speaking: Did God create one race/many races? If so, how many? Biblical references? 1
How many races did God create? How many ethnic groups did God create? Then God said, Let us make human beings in our own image, in our likeness, so that they rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Gen. 1: 26-27 (TNIV) If God created one Human Race, where did the racial and ethnic labels/groups come from? What is the origin of them? Biology (DNA) vs Social Construction The dangers of using biological traits (such as skin color) to categorize groups of people Social construction is real Culture: Consists of behavior patterns, symbols, institutions, values, and other human-made components of society. It is the unique achievement of a human group that distinguis hes it from other groups. (Banks, 60) James A. Banks, Teaching Strategies for Ethnic Studies Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1991 The U.S. culture is comprised of many smaller groups. These micro-cultural groups share many characteristics with the common national culture but have some distinguishing characteristics that set them apart from other groups. Ethnic groups are types of micro-cultural groups. (Banks, 61) 2
Ethnic (Minority) Group: Is a type of micro-cultural group that has unique characteristics that set them apart from other groups. Many micro-cultural groups are voluntary, however ethnic groups are usually involuntary, although individual identification with a particular group may be optional. Ethnic groups are not completely monolithic, nor do they have homogeneous needs and characteris tics Not all Hispanic eat tacos! Ethnic groups are highly diverse, complex, and changing entities; with varying differences between the group and the individuals that make-up the group. Prejudice: Is a set of rigid and unfavorable attitudes toward a particular group(s). (Banks, 73-74) Discrimination: The differential treatment (low regard) of the group or individuals who belong to a particular group. (Banks, 73-74) Racism: Is a belief that human groups can be validly grouped on the basis of their biological traits which in turn determine their behavior, the underlying assumption is that some are superior to others. Self-Concept/Image: Each individual has a picture of self that is largely the product of the individual s interaction with her/his social environment. How a person views her/himself is influenced by significant persons in her/his world, particular people with authority and power. 3
Power: The ethnic experience in the U.S. cannot be understood without considering the role that the struggle for power among competing ethnic groups has played in shaping U.S. history. Interpretations of history show that some groups have had, and still have, unequal power in the decision/making process. Almost every decision made by people in power, enhance, legitimize, and reinforce their power. 27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, Who do people say I am? 28 They replied, Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets. 29 But what about you? he asked. Who do you say I am? Peter answered, You are the Messiah. 30 Jesus sternly order them not to tell anyone about him. 31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. Get behind me, Satan! he said. You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns. 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father s glory with the holy angels. 4
Was Peter s answer theologically right? If so, then: Why did Jesus sternly order them (Peter and the disciples) not to tell anyone about him? VS. 30 Could it be that Peter s answer was theologica lly right, but existentially (based on his socially constructed notion of Messiah, wrong? Could it be that his answer was right, but he was unaware of his personal bias and/or that his answer was a reflection of his own social construction/reality (looking after his personal interest)? Our Identities Christian Identity Identities given to us Date and place of birth Names (First, Middle, Last) Birth order Language Parents Education (basic) Socio economic status Race/Ethnicity (?) Gender Identities selected by us Theological education Christian faith Christian ministry Language(s) Spouse/Partner Friendships Neighborhood Denominational Affiliation Use of Financial Resources What is it? Is it different from other identities? How is it formed/shaped? What elements are non-negotiable? In what ways did Christ define himself? What terms do we use to define Christ and Christians? Are these terms theologically right? What about our context and social construct? What about race/ethnicity and Christian Identity and Worship? 5
Naturally versus Intentionality Naturally: We tend to associate with persons who look/think/a ct like I do Peter s claim: You are the Messiah Homogeneous groups/churches Powerful/Domina nt Narratives Good Friday vs Easter Sunday Self-promotion (Self-advancement) vs Selfdenial Naturally versus Intentionality Christ intentionally identified himself with the marginalized Christ intentionally associated himself with outsiders Christ calls us to a life in which we intentionally do the same Christian Identity and Racial Identities in Ministry Conversion and Conversation Among equals (aware of power differential that exists) Reciprocal Mutually transforming Guest/Hos t Fluid Identity 6
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