epilogue to cultural autobiography

Epilogue

Reflecting back on what I wrote in my cultural autobiography I am struck by how much easier it is to perceive and criticize aspects of our culture that we have least internalized. Those aspects of our culture that most influence our ways of thinking are usually those we are least aware off, the “background” that Dr. Branson speaks of. My early reflection picked at threads of this background, usually as a result of some boundary crossing experience, but naturally most of that background remained unperceived and uncommented on.

Two readings this quarter have been particularly helpful for me in bringing that background into my field of vision, in problematizing my cultural assumptions for me to again borrow Branson’s language. Emerson and Smith in “Divided by Faith” note the individualistic assumptions and anti-structural assumptions of Evangelicalism (also found Euro-American culture in general). While I think that these assumptions are less engrained in me as a post-modern millennial than they are in my parents, for example, I had never before found the language to describe these assumptions even as I reacted to them. For several years I have felt that systems need addressed and changed, and that the church has not done enough in this area, but I didn’t have the vocabulary with which to fully and insightfully critique this state of affairs. Like a child learning vocabulary and concepts to make sense of this world we need words to make sense of our experiences.

The second reading that helped me see my cultural background was Eric Law’s treatment of power in “The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb.” My perception of power was something that was truly a part of me but of which I was completely unconscious until now. Of the readings this has probably had the most impact on how I interact in multicultural settings. My church is predominantly African-American, and it has been particularly helpful to keep in mind potential differences in power-perception when interacting with my brothers and sisters (particularly the sisters).

Of course, much of my cultural background remains invisible to me even now. The goal cannot be to make the whole background pop into the foreground, but rather to begin to be aware of this background, that it is operating and is a factor in my interactions.

Where to go from here? What are my competencies, and what are my areas of weakness? Musing over these questions I recalled my interaction with people in East-Germany, probably the most significant cultural gap that I have faced. I enjoyed that time immensely even though it was hard going. There is something that I simply love about the messy business of boundary crossing, and that is a helpful place to start.

As I reflected on that experience I realized that there are two significant factors in addition to myself in any boundary crossing endeavor. My experience would have been quite different if the people I interacted with were not open to interaction and dialogue. Whenever I face a cross-cultural situation I need to be thankful for those I am engaging with. Secondly, without God’s moving in our situations none of this would be possible. As I think about boundary crossing and engage in multiethnic events and interactions I need to remember God’s role in this work.

My greatest weaknesses come right back to the first paragraph of my cultural autobiography—I am a white, educated, Euro-American male. As Eric Law points out, I perceive myself and am perceived of as having power. I can “live” the American dream and “make a name for myself” (Gen. 11), and will, unless I learn to live the cycle of cross to resurrection. I need to follow the example of Christ, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…” (Phil. 2:5-6). This is not natural to anyone, but is keenly difficult for those (like myself) who hold the most power. Jesus said that it is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God; no matter how I hash it, I am rich—not just materially, but also in education, cultural capitol, etc. As I continue to be involved in boundary crossing I will need to consciously divest myself of this power, giving all that I have to those who have not. I will continue to fail at this, but I hope that what I have learned will help me to fail less frequently, and to succeed more often in becoming a servant, giving to those who do not have, and empowering those who lack power.