Race and power at school: Interview with GK

I decided to examine how race, power, and reconciliation play out at a Christian institution in the heart of Southern California, one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the world. I thought it would be interesting to see how a Christian university tackles the issue of ethnic diversity, since on one hand, it is a group of Christians led by Christians who, I assume, seek for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. On the other hand, a college is also an earthly institution with a power structure and even politics of its own, led by fallible people. The school's heritage also stems from one particular Christian tradition – white American fundamentalism – out of many.

The following is a summary of an interview with GK, who has worked at the university for over a decade. After a few years in leadership over student activities, he and administrators recognized a growing need for a focus on multi-ethnic issues and the experiences of minority students. Interestingly, the idea did not originate with the leadership – GK called it a “true grassroots movement” of students who were passionate about Christian diversity. Today, his duties include much administrative work, but also teaching seminars and workshops, mentoring, counseling, and involvement with the Reconciliation Chapel series.

I was affirmed to hear that GK believes reconciliation to be “at the heart of what God is doing” in the world. He explained that when humankind sinned in Genesis 3, humans were not only separated from God but from one another: Adam blamed Eve, and the pair became ashamed before each other. The Old Testament is therefore a story of unceasing tension and conflict; but in the new covenant, we are given access not only to God but also to embracing one another once again. GK's spontaneous words matched almost exactly with the concepts I encountered time and again in my research for this topic. This shows me that such a theology of horizontal reconciliation is a key ingredient in people who care about racial reconciliation.

Talking with GK also brought insight into how multi-ethnic concerns play out in a Christian institution, especially the obstacles presented in the face of change. Although not a local church, a Christian university is an interesting and telling test-case for reconciliatory efforts.

One thing that is crucial to understand is that minority students here do face particular challenges in matriculating. According to GK (and university statistics), “[The university] reflects a white, middle-class, suburban reality.” Those students who do not come from such a background must undergo an orientation to this culture that those in the majority are unaware of, a process that can be stressful and disenchanting.

As a university, we often expect that all embrace the school's culture and get along. Many of us remain oblivious to the imprint of the prevailing culture on almost every aspect of student life: guest speakers, concerts and activities, residence life programming. Even alumni publications most often feature white middle-class alumni, leaving former students of color wondering where the people “who look like them” are.

For instance, one of the arenas where cultural and ethnic differences are seen most clearly is in one’s tradition of worship and spirituality. At a Christian college, this means university chapels. GK pointed out some features of the modern ‘white’ worship tradition that many of us have never stopped to think about: In chapel, as in our churches, the worship music often begins with an uptempo song, perhaps with hand-clapping, as a way to “release nervous energy.” As the set progresses, the songs become slower, more contemplative, and deeply personal in lyrical content.

In other ethnic worship settings, however, the opposite is the norm – as the Spirit takes over the worship service, the music becomes ever louder and more jubilant. Furthermore, in some African-American or Asian traditions for instance, many Christians have a far higher emphasis on the spiritual condition and history of the community, rather than the individual. The concept of “personal quiet time,” taken for granted by so many students as an integral part of spirituality, is foreign to many students of color when they first step on campus. Preaching themes also reflect different emphases; whereas university chapel speakers often bring linear three-point sermons that emphasize the cognitive, other ethnic groups are accustomed to a more cyclical, holistic, or emotional emphasis.

None of this is to say that one style is inherently better than another. In fact, GK took care to say that many things, like quiet times, are important and beneficial to introduce to those unfamiliar with the practice. On the other hand, white evangelicals can find much to learn from other ethnic traditions about the church as a community and the center of a Christian’s life. Mainly, what all of this tells me is that our differences simultaneously are much more subtle, yet also shallower, than what people seem to think. White and minority evangelical Christians share the same conservative doctrines and hold a high view of both God and scripture.

The other interesting aspect of this interview was that of current power structures as crucial to either maintaining or changing the status quo. Without my having to broach the topic, GK naturally and frequently mentioned what he saw as the key role of leadership in bringing more ethnic integration into the university. He acknowledged that racial reconciliation is “not always embraced” at the school as a whole, and that it poses a challenge for many people, perhaps even for everyone. He also admitted that interest in racial reconciliation fluctuates from year to year, because student leaders come and go. Awareness is growing, but there needs to be more implementation.

It is difficult to change the structure of an institution, and “people can’t do what they don’t know,” said GK, meaning that until administrators and those in power educate themselves and become passionate about diversity in the kingdom of God, things cannot change as much as we would like them to. Diversity on campus, according to him, must be leadership-driven. All-university chapels held in the gymnasium, for one, reflect the values of those in charge, which is why Reconciliation Chapels exist, to meet needs for “a more holistic Christianity” that are not being met otherwise. I suggested that a few years down the line, perhaps there will no longer be a need for this chapel series, because all chapels will include reconciliation efforts. GK simply advocated taking one day at a time, remarking, “We have a lot of work to do, obviously.”