de colores

Multi-colored vs. multi-cultural. What does that really mean? I used to think that my community was multi-cultural until a visitor told me otherwise. He made a distinction, saying that we were multi-colored, and that is not the same as being multi-cultural. Our language, foods, song, attire, and other expressions were predominantly homogeneous. We had people of color (Hispanics, Indians, Asians, etc.) in community, but our social standards were all pretty similar. For example, did the African-Americans among us bring Afro-American culture to the mix or did they simply blend in with the prevailing Anglo culture?

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I suppose I had never thought this through before. As I look into this, I find that if I want to be multi-cultural, that means more than allowing or being friendly to other people groups, it means an active intentionality about bringing elements together in such a way that they retain their roots. And this, not on a free or casual basis, from time to time... but being a pervasive filter through which everything passes. Honestly, it sounds like more work than it's worth.

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I prefer to come together focused on a task or a common vision. If we occasionally celebrate the uniqueness of any particular culture, that is beautiful. But let the general identity fall where it may. I do not feel right about manipulating our identity or manufacturing a "multi-cultural" community.

soul siblings

We held an Arts Festival with all kind of exhibits on Saturday. I entered my photographs. Among the artistic expressions was another church's choir, praise team, and worship dancers. Some of their expression may be a little different, but our bond through Christ runs deep, and this is my family, who I will share the rest of eternity with. Think about that... my blood kin will be my family for a few decades, but my church family throughout the planet, those before me and those to come, these will be my brothers and sisters forever!

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I generally don't care for interpretive dance. I'm not condemning it as wrong, or anything like that... it's just not my cup of tea, that's all. But now that I have the disclaimer out of the way, let me say that I found this very interesting, and even exciting. They artistically, and effectively communicated the ideas of their songs. I hope I recognize some of these church people at the grocery store or local parks. I would love to continue the sweet fellowship that began on such a high note.

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Then on Sunday, we had another multicultural moment. This lady got baptized. She is from Haiti, and does not speak English. She spoke in French or Creole (I couldn't tell which) through a translator.

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She has a sad episode in her past. Many years ago, she was a single mom. She joined a church and wanted to be baptized. After 6 months of preparation, she was finally told by her old pastor, that they would NOT baptize her until she was married. I don't have all the facts, but that doesn't sound right to me.

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Wanna hear something cool? This lady from Haiti faithfully attends my English-speaking church every week. Like I said, she does not understand the words, but participates as much as she can, and then hears the message for the first time, when her son translates the sermon at home for family devotions on Sunday nights.

Jai Hind

According to Wikipedia, "Jai Hind" is an Indian patriotic salutation that roughly translates, "Victory to India" or "Long live India."

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India won the world cup! (Cricket.) For the record, I am an American egomaniac who doesn't know the first thing about the game of cricket. When I heard they won the world cup, I assumed that it was talking about soccer or futbol. And most of my knowledge of THAT sport comes from my son's soccer club.

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Anyhoo, I was thinking about India and soccer, and it made me smile, because my son is blessed to know several people of Indian descent through church and through soccer. This picture shows a pregame goal kick with two of our soccer pals. The defender with his back to us is a very skillful player whom I have nicknamed "Superfoot." The gent in the white jersey is their coach. They bring their whole family to the games, including Mrs. Coach, the baby and Grandpa.

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When I was a their age, I did not know ANY people from India. For much of my younger years, we only knew two cultures, caucasian and hispanic. Chicago may have all the nations of the world represented in the city, but it is still quite segregated.

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That's why I love the town where I live now. You pass a Bolingbrook church parking lot or walk through a supermarket, and you will find many cross-cultural friendships.

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This reminds me, a bigot once warned me not to let my oldest daughter date black (African) people. "What if they have children?" was supposed to be the convincing factor. But whether a child has an homogeneous or mixed lineage, are not ALL children beautiful?! Besides, mixed backgrounds produce some of the most amazing skin tones and features!

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Am I talking too much? Okay, I'll wrap it up now.

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What I meant to say was that I am grateful to be able to enjoy my friends with Indian roots. God bless you, and congratulations on that cricket thing. Jai Hind!