LEARNING CAPSULE: White Privilege

Gracious and gentle and condescending God, God of peace, Father of mercy, God of all comfort; see, I lament before you the evil of my heart; I acknowledge that I am too much disposed to anger, jealousy, and revenge, to ambition and pride, which often give rise to discord and bitter feelings between me and others. Too often in this way I have offended and grieved you, my long suffering Father, as well as my neighbors. Oh! forgive me this sin, and allow me to share in the blessing which you have promised to the peacemakers, who shall be called the children of God.

2000 Years of Prayer, Johann Arndt

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BEFORE BEGINNING, we want to recognize that white privilege is a polarizing term. We humbly and graciously ask that you put aside your preconceived notions and take the time to read, listen to, and watch the following resources to help you learn about white privilege through a Christian lens. To help prepare your mind and heart before engaging with this topic, we highly recommend reading our four-step framework.

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READ

READ: White Privilege is Seeing White as the Default / Ronke Abidoye
By bringing attention to seemingly innocuous products such as Band-Aids that white people take for granted Ronke Abidoye clearly makes a case that white is the default in American culture and acknowledgment of that fact is needed to move forward.

READ: No racial reconciliation without intersectionality and privilege / Anthony Bradley
Professor Anthony Bradley says white evangelicals have to get comfortable using the terms white privilege and intersectionality to move the conversation beyond platitudes. White people must admit to their privilege not because they need to feel guilty, but to use their privilege for the poor and the oppressed.

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LISTEN

LISTEN: Racism, white supremacy and Black lives matter / Unbelievable?
From protests to Black Lives Matter to critiques of white fragility to critical race theory host Justin Brierley talks with theologian Dr. Drew Hart and Christian sociologist Dr. George Yancy about how the church can respond to each issue. Comprehensive and thought provoking with a focus on bringing action back to the pragmatic.

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WATCH

WATCH: The Controversial Jesus – Jesus and Privilege / Jon Tyson
In a nuanced, informative, and kind sermon, pastor Jon Tyson defines privilege as “when you do nothing and you get something.” Tyson then proceeds to give the history of the modern understanding of privilege saying that most people land on the rights side or the responsibility side on the privilege spectrum. Using Philippians 2:1-11 as his basis he says that Christians need a distinct approach to privilege – a redirection that elevates and benefits those who need help in our society.

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DIG DEEPER

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QUOTES

“I look upon white privilege as the unspoken assumption that my whiteness somehow makes me more worthy of trust from the general public, department store clerks, civic authorities, educators, law enforcement, and others than that afforded to people of color.” _{^{James Atwood, Collateral Damage (Harrisonburg, VA: Herald Press, 2019) 138.}}

“We must have the humility to realize, that in most cases, we have benefited from the racial status quo. White people must recognize with humility that, although life can be difficult for anyone, their skin color has not added to their hardships.” _{^{Jemar Tisby, How to Fight Racism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2021), 183.}}

“I am a (relatively) wealthy white American male, which is fine, but it means I have to work hard at reading the Bible right. I have to see myself basically as aligned with Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and Caesar. In that case, what does the Bible ask of me? Voluntary poverty? Not necessarily. But certainly, the Bible calls me to deep humility — a humility demonstrated in hospitality and generosity. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with being a relatively well-off white American male, but I better be humble, hospitable, and generous!” _{^{Brian Zahnd, Postcards from Babylon, (Las Vegas, NV: Spello Press, 2019), 50.}}

“The lie of white supremacy elevates the image of God in one people group and diminishes the image of God in others.” _{^{Mark Charles, Unsettling Truths, (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2019), 122.}}

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