Family

“Now, I’d buy a ticket to that family reunion…” my friend’s e-mail began.

Yeah, me too.

Al Sharpton and Strom Thurmond might be related. Ain’t that a kick in the pants?

Only in America, folks. And I mean that.

Like all countries everywhere, the America of today is a product of its yesterdays gone before.

But our history is a particularly curious and convoluted one.

There is so much to be proud of, and so many ways that American dreams and people have made the world so much better than anyone could have imagined.

At the very same time, there are real demons of our past and deep-seated attitudes that have haunted us through the generations and are not yet entirely exorcised today.

The most interesting fact of American life is that our story really hasn’t been entirely told.

We are very much a work in progress.

Sometimes, that work gets hampered because we don’t can’t find positive models of conversation that helps and heals.

Even so, the movement that has happened in our country in the last four generations is amazing and should be celebrated.

My grandparents grew up in a world where racial lines were clearly demarcated and never to be questioned. My parents’ generation experienced the civil rights’ movement and integration. That generation bore the pain of change (whether black or white) and struggled to find a way toward that healthy conversation that didn’t end in violence and frustration. I grew up in a different world, though the mix of new and old assumptions have surrounded me throughout my life.

My sons are growing up in a truly different time. It’s not unusual to hear Haitian French, Spanish or Asian languages on the sidewalks and in the common areas of our neighborhood. All the important places of their lives are populated by a wonderful mix of people: some who look like them, and some who don’t.

At school, at church, at the neighborhood pool…they are learning that it really is the content of a person’s character that should stand as the measuring stick of their lives.

Now, I don’t mean to be Pollyanna. Already, my boys have noticed that they need lots of sunscreen at that pool…more than lots of their friends. But I swear, that’s about the extent of what skin color means for them right now.

Recently, when our three year old had some questions about the ways that people look, we asked him what color he was.

“Pink,” he said.

Sounds fine to us.

When they inevitably encounter the idea that says one skin pigmentation is somehow better than another, I believe with all my heart that they’ll reject it. Good conversation, positive friendships and healthy experiences will be the reason why.

One thing I know for sure… loud politicians will not be the reason.

I pray that history will never let Strom Thurmond’s voice stand as speaking for white people everywhere. Although some of his policies and opinions moved throughout his lifetime, he still stands in history as the icon of the “Old South,” running for President in 1948 on a segregationist ticket. He got 39 electoral votes, people.

If white folks don’t want to be judged by Strom, black folks sometimes feel the same about Rev. Al.

Here’s what I mean. Cruising channels a couple of days ago, I came across a panel discussion of African-American politicians and entertainers on TV Land, called, “That’s What I’m Talking About."

Comedian Wanda Sykes was on the panel, and so was Al Sharpton. At one point, Wanda said, “Don’t take this wrong Al, but sometimes I see you on TV, and the first thing I think is, ‘Lord, please don’t let him say something crazy.’”

Rev. Al did not look pleased.

You see, I think Al and Strom might have more in common than an ancestor. They shared a love for the spotlight, and a love-affair with mass media. Both of them could always find the camera and the microphone. Politicians at heart, publicity is like life-blood. They both wanted the seat in the Oval Office.

“I’d buy a ticket for that family reunion.” Me too.

But, I’d rather have a ticket at the kind of reunion that ought to happen in churches, that reflect our communities, every single morning.

Jesus didn’t have a lot to say about “race,” per se, but he sure did have a lot to say about crossing society’s boundaries. He touched those who were considered untouchable. He drank water given to him by a Samaritan woman. He leveled playing fields, championed unlikely heroes in his parables and dared to eat with “sinners.”

That’s you and me, all of us, no matter what SPF you need when you’re down at the pool. Thanks be to God for the good ol’ U.S. of A., warts and all. Thanks be to God for the distance we’ve traveled, and thanks to God for the journey that we will yet make together.

Take somebody’s hand, and make a different conversation ---- a different tomorrow.

Grace and Peace,
Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

This Sunday our own Tim Potate will preach in both Sunday morning worship services. Tim is working through the process of candidacy for United Methodist ministry, and we’re proud to support him in every way that we can. An anonymous donor has begun a scholarship fund in Tim’s honor to support him in any educational expenses he may incur, and all are welcome to donate to that fund.

Sunday School at SOTH: Sunday School is one of the most important moments in our Life at SOTH: Between worship services, at 10:15 a.m., Sunday School classes are available for children and youth of all ages. Please make every effort to support your child’s learning of scripture and deepening of their faith in a fun and upbeat environment.

Sunday School for Adults is available in small group at The Ranch, or in the worship space, as our large group studies The Gospel of John. We use clips from a recently produced film based on the Gospel, and work hard at learning what the scripture is all about. Coffee, conversation and a solid Bible lesson, all just after or right before your Sunday worship experience. Sunday School at SOTH is worth the trip!

SOTHUMC.NET report: Thanks to all of you for the great work you’ve done inviting others to come check out our new website, www.sothumc.net! Since last Thursday, we’ve had over 200 visits, with over 1700 pageviews! Keep up the good work, and invite all your friends to check it out.

Baby Noor in today's AJC: An Update on Baby Noor ran on the front of today's AJC. She is struggling to find needed medical care in Iraq, and her family continues to confront many of the troubles that we knew they might face. Please continue to lift up this wonderful little girl and her family, and all the people of Iraq and members of our armed forces who are in harm's way. We pray for their safety, her health and for peace with justice in our world.