By Dr. Kimberly Berry | Culture Coach
My daughter is a speech-language pathologist in Austin, Texas. Recently, she witnessed her five year-old Hispanic client being reprimanded by his homeroom teacher for speaking Spanish at school. The young boy told my daughter, “I have to use English; no one likes my Spanish.”
Unfortunately, there are many stories of intolerance happening around our country.
Diversity, equity and inclusion have somehow become demonized in our society. While I try to understand the constant changes in our country, I struggle with what the new attitudes mean for those who value diversity, equity and inclusion.
God made us in his image, and no two people are the same. Each person’s differences are a gift to the World. So, how can we conclude that diversity should not be recognized, embraced or celebrated? Accepting a multicultural society now feels like an unattainable goal.
The concept of equity addresses fairness for all, and acknowledging that not everyone has equal opportunities. The discussion of equality vs. equity creates great debate among people around our nation. As we witness the tug-of-war, many of our neighbors are experiencing trauma and hopelessness.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be inclusive by welcoming all people to the body of Christ. In a world where separation seems to be the new normal, we must be inclusive and supportive of our neighbors from diverse backgrounds.
As a culture coach, I aim to work with congregations on matters concerning race and culture (www.moumethodist.org/culture-coaches.) The work continues, no matter the chaos happening around us. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul reminds us, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) We must continue the work to make our world a better place for all People.
Each of us can make a difference in our community. This work may seem complex, uncomfortable and even a little scary, but together, we can make a difference. Here are three ways to get started:
Be like Christ. As followers of Christ, we are commanded to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:39) Be kind, generous and hospitable. Continue outreach, and volunteer at local organizations who offer assistance to immigrants and other neighbors in need.
Express empathy. Take a moment to imagine the feelings of those who feel under attack. Those who are frightened of what the future holds. Those who feel abandoned by their community, the church or by God. Offer a listening ear without judgment. Allowing someone a safe space to share feelings can make a difference in their life.
Stand up for justice. Be brave and confront acts of hate and racism. In the words of Albert Einstein, “If I were to remain silent, I’d be guilty of complicity.” Standing up requires stepping out of our comfort zones, which is difficult for many of us. Remember, we have God on our side. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
My daughter responded to the situation involving her young client by visiting with an administrator at the school. This act required courage since she did not know how they would receive her concern. All of us may find ourselves in situations where standing up may be intimidating, but we must demonstrate love for our neighbors.
DEI may be the new “four-letter” word in our society, but that doesn’t mean we should cease doing the Work.
