There are times when I expect to hear, how do I say this, less than politically correct, perhaps even mildly racist, comments, though that would not even enter into the mind of the speaker. I mean, there’s a Christian radio station here in Chicago, quite popular, plays mostly crap music, and sometimes I find myself listening to it. I used to listen to it all the time but stopped because I couldn’t handle all the underlying racism and sexism that seemed to run through the program that I listened to, specifically their morning show.
But Sunday morning I was listening to the local NPR station. Oh NPR how I love you. The programs and witty conversation. The unabashed criticism of this presidential administration. Fabulous world programming or economic news on my drive home. And This American Life. Don’t even get me started. Really the most fabulous radio program I could ever imagine. All the stories are available online and you can buy them for a road trip or something. Might I suggest the 1/11/02 show, particularly Act IV. So yes, I Love them. And should probably join because I love them so much.
But. BUT. People, NPR has grown feet of clay. I was listening Sunday morning as I got ready for the day and heard the beginning of Hello Beautiful!, a quality program that looks at art. And I was enjoying the gallery review but was suddenly blindsided by this blatantly racist comment by the person providing commentary.
See, there’s this artist. His name is Kehinde Wiley and he has a show up in the Rhona Hoffman Gallery in Chicago. I’ve actually seen some of his work and it’s quite well done. I’ll wait while you go take a look and read more about the idea of the show. Which is fantastic. I love the idea. I love challenging the ideals of people. And then...
Then Margaret Hawkins, as she was commenting on gallery shows, said this
“There’s a painting of St. Peter where he’s holding the keys to the kingdom. But instead of the elegant gesture with the little key he’s holding this enormous key. It’s like a big piece of bling. You know, it’s a real interesting juxtaposition. It suggests that you know, what are the keys to the kingdom? What is heaven? Maybe it’s a big casino somewhere.”
MAYBE IT’S A BIG CASINO SOMEWHERE?!?
And I don’t think I heard much else after that. Because really people, what is this woman saying? Men dressed in traditional hip-hop clothing would not, in fact, have access to the keys of the kingdom? Or maybe that black men would clearly rather go to the casino than participate in a more traditional spiritual endeavor?
What would a modern translation of St Peter look like to this woman? The reality is probably a lot less like what she thinks and a lot more like Kehinde Wiley’s work. Needless to say, I'm a little dismayed. And here's the worst part, she probably doesn't even think there's anything wrong with what she said.
Kelly recently shared about a conversation that she had with some other teachers at her school and their assumption about her as a Black woman and her choice of music. She felt it was her responsibility to note their racist intonations and started a bit of a firestorm. And I had to agree with her. But lots of other folks out there, they questioned her interpretation of the comments and the underlying racism that may or may not have given birth to said remarks. So, maybe you might question my interpretation of Ms. Hawkins comment. Or maybe you might agree with it.
But I think I have a letter that I need to write.
4 comments:
my comment got a little long winded, so i decided to post a response on my blog. chop my head off and put it in a big pot if you like. ;)
Thanks for your comments, melanie-pearl. Here is the link for those reading this and interested: http://melanie-pearl.blogspot.com/2006/09/im-listeninganother-letter-to-hannah.html
Although, I have to agree with Hannah that WMBI's morning program is often quite offensive. I sometimes think maybe being a good Christian is giving that station another chance, but every time I do I end up getting angry and oft times the sun sets on that anger. They need to fire that guy. Next time I have the emotional engergy to turn that station on I will record his comments and write a letter.
Mel, I do want to be clear. I don't just dismiss all Christian radio. There is another station here (with much better music) that I will listen to occasionally. But, in general, I've found that this particular station is far more those things. And has commentary from folks that does seen rather unchristian.
But. BUT! The purpose of my post was not the dog on a particular Christian radio station. It was to call attention to something that might have just passed most folks by, without considering how it might be interpreted to someone such as myself. Or a Black person. Or an Asian person.
I need to run but I'll say more later.
Thanks for indulging my tirade. I, too, want to return the focus to the valuable point you raised. It seems there is another lesson for me to learn besides active listening. I'll call it "Listening through others' ears".
I have no reference for unintentional -or was it intentional???- racism. (Unless you can consider the slight pang I feel when subjected to dumb blonde jokes. Though it pales in comparison, on a bad day I'll admit I do get a bit squirmy.) Whichever the case, I believe the responsibility ultimately rests on the offender/un-offended.
Romans 14:21
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
The issue you cared to raise will resonate with people who want to learn, people who don't want to offend. You are a brave soul, a necessary part of Christ's body to me & others.
So much heartache could be avoided if our tongues could truly be tied long enough for us to consider all implications before we speak.
It seems your post was the next spurt in my recent growth regarding the power of words. (See my Retaining Wall post) We really can't afford to live stagnate, blissfully unaware lives spent in denial. We have to stay on top of what goes in & what comes out. We have to actively forgive and be forgiven.
I am continually amazed at what occurs around me and in me after I actively pray for a teachable spirit. Thank you for being a vessel, a real friend.
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