[This is a continuation of the topic started on December 1, 2019. ]

The political environment as well as the rhetoric and acts of hate in our society makes it difficult for any person to engage in authentic ways with our community. We are so cautious that we prevent ourselves from meaningful and holy friendships - we prevent ourselves from being a good neighbor. Ecclesial spaces are not the exception, we are often very careful of not having "the wrong people" in our pews, that instead of becoming exemplars of holy relationships, we often become exclusive spaces. In this class, by taking a close look to the principles of cultural humility, participants will learn about the posture needed in order to be a good neighbor that fosters holy relationships.

Lord, OPEN UNTO ME (ADAPTED)

THE POSTURE NEEDED TO move toward Cultural Humility

• Philippians 2 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
• Imitating Christ’s Humility

  If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, ² make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. ⁵ Let the same mind be in you that was^[a] in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, ⁷ but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
  
  [a] Or that you have.

Exclusive
An Exclusionary Institution

• Intentionally and publicly exclues or segregates African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans
• Intentionally and publicly enforces the racist status quo throughout institution
• Institutionalization of racism inclues formal policies and practices, teachings, and decision making on all levels
• Usually has similar intentional policies and practices toward other socially oppressed groups such as women, gays and lesbians, Third World citizens, etc.
• Openly maintains the dominant group's power and privilege

2. Passive
A "Club" Institution

• Tolerant of a limited number of "token" People of Color and members from other social identity groups allowed in with "proper" perspective and credentials
• May still secretly limit or exclude People of Color in contradiction to public policies
• Continues to intentionally maintain white power and privilege through its formal policies and practicesk teachings, and decision making on all levels of institutional life
• Often declares "We don't have a problem"
• Monocultural norms, policies and procedures of dominant culture viewed as the "right way" and "business as usual"
• Engages issues of diversity and social justice only on club member's terms and within their comfort zone

3. Symbolic Change
A Compliance Organization

• Makes official policy pronouncements regarding multicultural diversity
• Sees itself as "non-racist" institution with open doors to People of Color
• Carries out intentional inclusiveness efforts, recruiting "someone of color" on committees or office staff
• Expanding view of diversity includes other socially oppressed groups
  
  But ...
• "Not those who make waves"
• Little or no contextual change in culture, policies, and decision making
• Is still relatively unaware of continuing patterns of privilege, paternalism and control
• Token placements in staff positions must assimilate into organizational culture

4. Identity Change
An Affirming Institution

• Growing understanding of racism as barrier to effective diversity
• Develops analysis of systemic racism
• Sponsors programs of anti-racism training
• New consciousness of institutionalized white power and privilege
• Develops intentional identity as an "anti-racist" institution
• Begins to develop accountability to racially oppressed communities
• Increasing commitment to dismantle racism and eliminate inherent white advantage
• Actively recruits and promotes members of groups that have been historically denied access and opportunity
  But ...
• Institutional structures and culture that maintain white power amd privilege still intact and relatively untouched

5. Structural Change
A Transforming Institution

• Commits to process of intentional institutional restructuring, based upon anti-racist analysis and identity
• Audits and restructures all aspects of institutional life to ensure full participation of People of Color, including their world-view, culture, and lifestyles
• Implements structures, policies, and practices with inclusive decision making and other forms of power sharing on all levels of the institutions life and work
• Commits to struggle to dismantle racism in the wider community, and builds clear lines of accountability to racially oppressed communities
• Anti-racist multicultural diversity becomes an institutionalized asset
• redefines and rebuilds all relationshipsand activities in society, based on anti-racist commitments

6. Fully Inclusive
Anti-Racist Multicultural Organization in a Transformed Society

• Future vision of an institution and wider community that has overcome systemic racism and all other forms of oppression
• Institution's life reflects full participation and shared power with diverse racial, cultural and economic groups in determining its mission, structure, constituency, policies, and practices
• Members across all identity groups are full participants in decisions that shape the institution, and inclusion of diverse cultures, lifestyles, and interest
• A sense of restored community and mutual caring
• Allies with others in combating all forms of social oppression
• Actively works in larger communities (regional, national, global) to eliminate all forms of oppression and to create multicultural organizations