Jamin Bradley

I am a white, straight, middle-class Christian man. While these are not curse words (for I have no control over some of these characteristics), they are words that offer me some power within the socio-economics of the United States. But because some of these characteristics are as close to me as my own skin (quite literally), I generally remain oblivious to those powers until someone different from me informs me of how they’ve either suffered under my power, or someone who carries a similar power.

There are two responses in such moments: (1) get defensive or (2) listen and try to comprehend. If you’re willing to do the second, you’ll soon discover that many others have the same story. As life continues and you process these stories, you start seeing the proof of your power. It’s surprising and disturbing and drives you to be a part of the change.

When we first become aware, our zeal gives way to another problem. We try to lead the charge rather than elevate the powerless by giving them our power. But our best efforts to fix the situation often go to create equality rather than equity or justice. We don’t know the story like the powerless do. We don’t know all the intricacies and dynamics in their everyday lives. We don’t know what they’ve already tried to do to fix the situation without success. Even in the fight, we must learn to listen yet again.

Jesus lived in a strange dynamic. Being fully God, he came with all the power in the cosmos. But being fully human, he came to us as a homeless, oppressed Jewish man, born in poor conditions (to a blended family?), raised a refugee in Egypt, despised by his own people, hated by the religious leaders, and executed with capital punishment as an enemy of the state. He had all the power and no power all at the same time. And what power he did have, he sacrificed to raise up and empower the people around him. He became a servant to us and told us to do the same as he uplifted women, engaged the demonized, ate with sinners, ministered to Gentiles, and chose the kinds of disciples we wouldn’t. He lifted people up where they belonged and sent his Spirit to us so we might be even more empowered to carry out his ways.

Privilege (power). Wokeness (becoming aware). Being an ally (empowering the powerless). On one side of the debate, these are curse words, but on the other side, they are virtues. I understand these buzzwords can go south just like all words do. But with our defenses down, I think we can come to understand the needs around us and serve the powerless in ways that Jesus would have.