So here's my question: How do we at JBU enter into those relationships?
That isn't a rhetorical question. I want to know real answers, so I'd appreciate it if people would just through out one-sentence ideas. Don't worry about their feasibility; brainstorm.
I'll throw out a few ideas that have been swirling around in my head:
Go to the Spanish church on 412. I've been there once and they were really welcoming. Yes, it's in Spanish, and that means I don't get much of it, but I'm more concerned about the relationships. But going once doesn't build relationships. I wonder if there's a service each week during a time I'm not usually at First Pres. Maybe something that's less teaching-based so that I can work on building relationships (and not have to try to track a long sermon in a language I don't know that well)...
Capitalize on the relationships I already have here at JBU. I know some Hispanic students beyond just an acquaintance level. Maybe try to meet with them for lunch? That seems really formal and uptight, but I'm not sure what else would be feasible.
5 comments:
I have some limited but established relationships with minorities here at JBU. I want to make sure I take some time in the next two weeks to talk to them about some of the issues we have talked about.
Applying my first comment to those not just of another ethnicity or culture, but who I don't see eye to eye with. Identifying two or three students that I have most stereotyped and actually start getting to know them.
I know we dread trying to answer the "How was your trip" questions from everyone, but I think that is an appropiate time to talk it out with someone (because they're asking, duh!). At first my answers were just "Amazing" or "emotional draining", but then I realized that that was me sweeping the issues under the rug. So when my best friend who used to go to JBU asked me the dreaded question, I spilled everything that had been on my mind. She is half black, half mexican, and grew up in a mostly white high school. It was so interesting to hear her comments, she is my best friend but I had never had a conversation with her about race, so I didn't REALLY know her. Being mixed she had very interesting things to say and perspectives. I never would have known, if I hadn't "told her about the trip."
Wow Casey, that's so fascinating...and I'm not just using that word for fun!
Casey that was a great idea! I need to do more of that.
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