We will continue this week with our guest writers reflecting on race and culture. I am honored to present this list of Black men reflecting on their work and families. I pray their words are encouraging to each of you.
Leroy
RICHARD COLEMAN
As the senior director of mobilization and candidacy, Richard oversees The Mission Society’s efforts in recruiting, coaching, and processing missionary candidates. Prior to this role, he served as the manager of recruitment.
Q: What’s been your personal experience as a black man in America? What single incident stands out, in your experience, as a paradigmatic of the larger systematic problem?
A: Unlike many of my fellow black brothers, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve experienced blatant, deliberate racism. However, that doesn’t mean I’ve been spared from the psychological trauma of being black in America. My experience has been filled with a series of silent and protracted para-messages, which tell me that my history, the heroes I celebrated as a child, and the culture that shaped me are not important in the world in which I live. The way I’ve thrived — or perhaps, survived — has been to adjust to the majority culture and create an acceptable, palatable self, much like a missionary does. Is this the ideal solution? Not at all. Trying to fit in has left me feeling exhausted, and at times, stressed. Incidents like the Trayvon Martin shooting do nothing more than to exacerbate the stress.
In college, all of the heroes in history class were white, with the exception of the occasional Crispus Attucks or Pocahontas. In my current line of work, international missions, all of the heroes are white. Although I know these white individuals did some phenomenal things in the name of the Lord, I’ve grown weary of their stories, wondering if anyone that looks like me has done anything worth recording and celebrating. My guess is that other blacks can relate. Not being told that your culture has value can be just as painful as being told that your culture has no value. This, I perceive, is one of the systematic problems blacks and other minorities face.
Q: How have you equipped your sons to function safely in this culture? What have you told them?
A: My son is very young, so what I do now is assure him of my love for him. So many black men have not been affirmed by a father, which leads to all sorts of insecurities and “acting out”. May it never be so for my son. By giving my son clear expressions of my love for him, he will be able to grow up with a firm foundation and a clear sense of identity. As he grows older, I will teach him who he is in Christ and who he is as a black man. Knowing who he is will make a huge difference in the way he carries himself and in the way he interacts with others.
Q: How will this country ever heal and move forward? What needs to happen?
A: In order for this country to move forward, there needs to be genuine dialogue with LOTS of humility and listening. Everyone involved deserves to be heard. Whites should hear how their position of privilege can lead to insensitivity and far-sightedness. Blacks and other minorities need to learn how whites feel and give them a chance to speak. Further, every elephant needs to be herded into the room and addressed one by one.
Q: Should our sons be afraid? What advice would you give them about what to think and feel when walking the streets at night?
A: I don’t think my son should be afraid. Fear isn’t what I want to drive his life. However, I think he should be vigilant and not foolish. He needs to ask himself, “Should I be walking the streets at night, and if so, how should I carry myself?” He will need to be aware of the ways others might perceive him, but he doesn’t have to be uptight about it. If and when problems arise, he will need to respond with tact and humility. My hope is that he will respond nonviolently, but firmly.