Letters to the editor

(Re: “Come on, white people!,” Kerux, Jan. 15, 2007)

At the risk of sounding defensive, while I appreciate Adam’s concern for justice, I was uncomfortable with some of the assumptions in his article. It has become quite culturally acceptable to identify racism and sexism as being perpetuated primarily by white males, but I don’t think this is theologically acceptable. I do not deny the historical and present reality of white male privilege, nor do I deny my own sinful prejudices (incidentally, I also have a lot of other prejudices that don’t fall into the categories of race and gender). I do, however, strongly deny that racism and sexism are primarily white male problems, and I think that to identify them as such is racist and sexist. I also do not think that privilege and power make a person uniquely susceptible to racism or sexism. Racism and sexism are not primarily behaviors of which only the privileged are capable; they are sins of the heart and are committed by every type of person.

There might be many who voted to ban affirmative action out of sinful motives (e.g. fear, indifference). But there are also many (like myself) who voted for the ban because addressing prejudicial behavior with prejudicial legislation seems wrong to them. (With the number of empty pulpits in the CRC, I have no reason to oppose affirmative action out of fear for personal well-being.) God hates racism and sexism whether it’s committed by/directed at the privileged or the underprivileged. It seems that a discussion on the appropriateness of affirmative action would be more helpful than a call for (only) white males to be sensitive.

Craig Hoekema, M.Div.

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Notice to candidates for ministry

Qualifying persons who wish to be candidates in 2007 for ordained CRC ministry should request application procedures by February 2, 2007. For further information, please email Karlene Werner at kaw5@calvinseminary.edu or write her at Calvin Theological Seminary, 3233 Burton Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.