Kerux: a portfolio of Calvin Theological Seminary - Volume 41.10 - 15 January 2007

Come on, white people!

A discussion about Proposal 2

by Adam Stout, Guest Writer

The entire Calvin Seminary Community is invited to read this article, but as the title suggests, it’s directed particularly at the white folks here (specifically male ones, like myself). This article is an acknowledgement of a problem that should make us uncomfortable: racism.

As you probably know, “the people” of Michigan recently voted yes on Proposal 2, effectively banning affirmative action. The measure passed by a vote of 58% to 42%. Recently, many minorities and some white people have begun to protest the law, claiming the proposal was “unconstitutional.” Meanwhile, others (mainly white people with some minority support) continue to uphold the ban and vocalize their displeasure with the reactionary nature of the dissenters.

Several white people in the press have made comments stating, “The people have spoken on Proposal 2,” or, “Michigan voted in favor of Proposal 2; to fight the constitution would be unconstitutional.” Let’s momentarily dissect those comments. Terms like “Michigan voted” or “the people have spoken,” offer the illusion of an impersonal vote that distances us from our race and gender. In reality, different groups of people voted. For instance, African-Americans turned out in large numbers and overwhelmingly opposed the ban. Hispanics also firmly opposed the ban. Meanwhile, white people, (particularly the male ones and the over-40 population) voted overwhelmingly in favor of the ban. Since white people make up 80% of Michigan, who might a minority voter think we are referring to when we say “the people?”

As Christians, it is our responsibility to listen to our brothers and sisters, no matter their race or gender. But it is foolish to pretend that race and gender are not intrinsically tied up in what it means to be a person living here in the United States. Although we should not assume a minority friend voted to keep affirmative action simply because he or she is a minority, we should recognize that a majority of our minority neighbors want to see affirmative action stick around.

For those of us who are confused by how many people see Proposal 2 as an important issue, we should be asking “why?” and listening to their answers, so that we may facilitate understanding. We are at a place in time where we have an opportunity. Through honest dialogue and God’s grace, we can come to a place of understanding. From there, we can work to actively seek out ways to promote reconciliation within our lives and communities. If not, divisiveness and destruction will continue their natural course. As white people (particularly men), we have a unique opportunity now to listen with open hearts to brothers and sisters who are feeling defeated and speak the truth in love to those of our race who are causing trouble by making racist comments (which are only occasionally explicit in nature).

Proposal 2 was voted on in a day, but its implications are still being felt. For many, it has re-opened old wounds. So, Calvin Seminarians, let’s pause today. If we listen carefully, perhaps we will hear prejudice escaping others’ lips in unguarded moments. More frighteningly, perhaps we will hear our own ugly prejudices bubbling up from somewhere deep down. Prejudice and racism, like other sins and systems are bigger than we are. If we fail to confront them in Jesus’ name and look for mutual support within our community, they may stay rooted in our lives.

Calvin Seminary has a choice to passively allow divisiveness or actively strive to facilitate healing in the world around us. Of course, we choose the latter. But before we can work on unity and healing, we have some practical steps to take. For starters, we white people (have I mentioned particularly the males?) must be sensitive to the reported realities of white privilege and racism, and seek to educate ourselves (and others like us) concerning these crucial issues. Only then can we hope to follow through in promoting the cause of racial reconciliation and living in true community that God created us for.