Christian Racism and Presidential Frustations

So recently we received what could only be called a public spanking for the actions of an isolated few. Apparently when we had a forum consisting of bulletin boards on which we were supposed to post our opinions on the election and events surrounding it, certain people posted racist or inappropriate comments and neglected to sign their name to them. And I realize perfectly that this needs to be addressed in some way. But I could not help but to feel that the manner in which it was done was not only condescending, but inappropriate.
It was done at the beginning of chapel. Which in itself is bad enough in my opinion, but it was not the only factor that made me cringe. We had a guest speaker who was, guess what? Latino.Great idea. Let our guest know that there are people, probably in that crowd, who are racist and will say so. And apparently are racist to the point that a public lashing in the manner that a high school principle at an assembly would do, was in her mind the best action.
Now I am not saying that we should hide our problems from the world. I don't think Messiah is perfect, and I don't think that we should pretend that it is. Certainly not. But racism is something that is a flaw in character, a flaw in upbringing, a flaw in the Christian organized Church. Sunday mornings are the most segregated times in America. We have to make a conscious effort to promote equality in church because when most people look around at the representatives of the body of Christ in there pews they don't see anything but their own race. I know of very few that consciously seek diversity, or even ever address it at all. Certainly I never heard it in mine.
When everything in our upbringing either ignores or blatantly promotes the reality of racism, is it really that surprising to notice racist Christians? A public chastisement by our president that tells us that she is not proud and does not approve of the racism displayed is going to do nothing about the underlying problem. It will let everyone know our position on racism, which is certainly good, but it will change nothing.
Until we start to think about salvation as a new social order, a mosaic of people and a radical change in how we think of ourselves and the world, we won't be perceived by the world as anything but hypocrites. People won't see that prejudice is a serious injustice, and no one is going to make an effort to change the way they think about race and other types of prejudice. If we care in principle but not in reality we are perverting Christianity and crippling the body of Christ.

Now a word about the president and the ideas that I personally have gotten. The most common criticism I have heard is that she lives in a mansion on the outskirts of campus. The biggest thing about that is that it has a name. Orchard Hill. But for me, that is insubstantial next to the intense sense of disrespect for the student body that I feel coming from her. For example, below are two emails that are directly copied and pasted. These are from last year, and I don't think that my opinion of Kim will change very easily given the way we were treated. The first is from my friends and I, the second is the response from the president who claims to value "discourse with students."

From: "Rebecca... "
Sent: Sat, April 12, 2008 6:14 PM
To: "Kim ..."
Subject: Compassion Forum Concerns for college standards


President ...,
My friends and I were having a picnic by the breeches on this lovely Saturday afternoon, April 12th. While we on our way back to our resident hall we decided to check our mail due to the upcoming compassion forum. We were all rather shocked to see cigarette disposals outside Eisenhower Campus Center. Messiah College is a smoke free campus, this is announced at sporting events, plays, and concerts. We are concerned that the college has lessoned its values, which we all pride ourselves in, during the time of a nationally broadcasted event. We believe that this is a time when Messiah should be standing proud and not loosening its convictions. The compassion forum is a great opportunity for the nation to see what an upstanding college Messiah is, however will this be possible if we are lowering our standards in the presence of the nation. We are greatly disappointed in the college and we ask that you understand our concerns.
Thank you for your time and understanding.
Rebecca
Renae
Gina


Here is the response received:

I have just returned from Calif and I will check into this. We have not changed our policy and will ask people not to smoke biut do need aplace to deposit the trash when we ask them not to smoke

Those typos and the misuse of grammar are in the hastily sent email exactly as they appear here. And now, every time I hear her express her opinions I feel this sense that she holds of superiority over students. She may love the college and the ideals that it represents, but I think she values her students much less than she would have us to believe. And for me, there is nothing more frustrating than getting that sense that there is nothing that I could do to be heard except through student government. And my friend who ranks fairly highly in SGA feels that there is a definite limitation to conversation as well, even in SGA.
In a Christian College, and between believers who are supposed to respect one another, there should be mutual respect. At least pretend that you care and proofread your emails. When we get an email back from SGA that is more articulate and APOLOGIZES on behalf of the President for the poor quality response we received, I think we have a symptom of a larger problem.