Christian Nationalism, Misogyny, and Racism – Three Elements in a Toxic Brew
This has been a particularly heavy week for me.
The entire Asian-American community has been reeling after what happened in and around Atlanta as eight people were ruthlessly gunned down, including six of Asian descent.
While some have pointed out that the alleged gunman denied racial motivations in the killings, I find his self-assessment hallow.
After all, he drove thirty miles from one massage parlor to a second and a third.
Were there no other massage parlors he could’ve targeted?
C’mon.
Others have pointed out that he found it “easier to get sex” at an Asian massage parlor, as if that somehow absolves him of racism.
To me that idea, if correct, reflects an Asian fetishism among some white Americans that has fueled sex trafficking for years.
And frankly, it doesn’t help that his story is bathed in the language of the Christian right—”guns and God,” “eliminating sexual temptation,” even “First Baptist Church.”
Some think that these indicate a gross misunderstanding of biblical truth, resulting in a horrific display of cruelty and violence—but not as racially motivated.
I disagree.
What little we’ve learned of his faith journey does tell us that ethnicity is not the only story. But neither is race beside the story.
It’s an important element in the story.
A story in which one more person, drunk on the toxic brew of Christian nationalism, misogyny, and racism, has claimed more victims.
Lord have mercy.
Fifth Prayer Meeting – Video Link
Clint Werezak was absolutely superb.
He shared the unique story of his multiracial identity, what he did when he found out his Trini ancestors were indentured servants from India, and how he realized his need to understand his European background as well.
All the while he couched our freedom to understand in our union with Christ. His identity enables exploration and even critique of our prehistory.
It was brilliant.
If you missed it, I’ll send you the link.
This Week’s Shared Resource
On Thursday our friend Drew Hyun put together a panel discussion on AAPI violence and the church. (AAPI stands for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.)
Joining Drew were Julie Won, Peter Ong, and Donal Cogdell.
This conversation is our shared resource for the weekend.
Watch it, listen, and share your thoughts on our Facebook group.
Special Guest at Our Next Prayer Meeting
A couple of weeks ago I heard Reyn Cabinte share his deeply personal thoughts on the challenge of being Asian American.
His discrediting of the Model Minority mythshredded a straw man I’ve heard all my life.And his honest treatment of minority-on-minority violence enlightened my understanding.
Graciously Reyn has agreed to share his thoughts with us.Reyn Cabinte is pastor of Uptown Community Church (PCA). He’s also my colleague at Redeemer City to City NYC; he serves as the Manhattan church planting catalyst.
We’ll meet Wednesday at noon ET. I’ll send you the link that morning.
I asked Reyn to speak before the tragedy in Atlanta. It seems all the more fitting now that he will address us.
Hope you’re able to make it!
Thanks for your graciousness to me as I continue my own learning journey. We’re in this together, and I’m glad to walk this path with you.
It’s a path of lament. Tearful. Sorrowful. Cruciform.
But it’s a path that brings us to Jesus, a path he himself walked.
And we know what’s on the other side of the cross.