Privilege

On Sunday, July 30, we held worship in our Fellowship Hall, seated at tables, with wonderful brunch foods and deep, thoughtful conversations. 

We heard Luke 6:39-42 about noticing the log in your own eye before you point out the speck in another's. In other words: Do not judge! 

I then led an exercise called a "Privilege Walk", intended to raise awareness about privilege and marginalization in our culture. Read more here:

https://peacelearner.org/2016/03/14/privilege-walk-lesson-plan/

I was very impressed by how focused and attentive everyone was in dealing with such a difficult and controversial topic. Conversations at tables were respectful and honest. One group was still talking long after worship was over! 

Here are some of the insights people gained from the exercise:

That having more than 50 books in your house when you were growing up, being right-handed, having your parents tell you you could be anything you wanted to, having health insurance, being able to walk alone at night or to purchase band-aids in the color of your skin tone makes you privileged. 

Questions people would have liked to see added were about age discrimination, physical or mental abuse, whether they work to work or love the work they do, and whether they were able to be who they really are at home (growing up, or in the present).

People said this experience was helpful to them as it made them realize how blessed they are for the resources they have access to. It made them empathize more with those who were/are not as fortunate. How can I use the gifts I have been given (financial, education, talents) and use them to benefit others? "We never know what others are going or have gone through."

I was so deeply moved by all this, I forgot to read the Bible passage I had intended to close with: 

Philippians 1:29: “God has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ but of suffering for him as well.”

Learning about our own privilege or marginalization is difficult. Calling it “suffering” is not an exaggeration. This is what it takes in order for our society and our country to heal and move forward.

I am incredibly blessed and grateful to be serving this church, growing closer to God and others together on this journey we call life.