tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18103415.post6741424464692245728..comments2023-05-05T07:21:39.245-06:00Comments on Bacon is Better with Books: Friere and the problem of power in helping peopleJeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10919768797310249364noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18103415.post-64860256088070633572007-07-24T14:01:00.000-06:002007-07-24T14:01:00.000-06:00Hi again Jeff,I actually posted quite a lengthy se...Hi again Jeff,<BR/><BR/>I actually posted quite a lengthy second comment to this blog but it was lost somewhere. I'll try to summarize.<BR/><BR/>Quit Bitching!!<BR/><BR/>That's it - simple eh?<BR/><BR/>What I mean is that you will never completely identify yourself with the poor unless you are actually poor. When I read this post and when I recall our conversations I tend to think that you know exactly what you need to do in order to fully identify with the poor - actually become poor. Chose the radical life of poverty and "live" with the poor and seek to bring justice and strength through a shared life rather than from some secondary space. Shane Claiborne did this. Mother Teresa did this. Christ did this through the incarnation. If you choose this lifestyle you are part of that type of community. An upside down, backwards, humble, integrative and subversive community - looking a lot like the kingdom of God. <BR/><BR/>The reason you feel like a hypocrite or that you sense a power imbalance is because this is true. All of us are hypocrites. All of us live in an imbalanced world. Either you choose to live in poverty and find complete affinity with the poor (like many Latin American theologians & priests - whom already had the vow of poverty to assist them) or you quit bitching, acknowledge the tension of your relationship with the poor and keep serving them. It's okay to have mixed emotions and motives in any social justice iniative - that's the reality of the power imbalance. Acknowledge it and move on. When you feel criticized as a hypocrite (or if you criticize yourself) - AGREE - then continue to serve.<BR/><BR/>When I was in poverty I understood what it was like to be poor much more than I do now. I don't know if I have the guts to go back there - feeling as though I barely made it through. However, I know that experience with poverty has biased my view of the poor in general. I am constantly challenged to analyze my views and expectations. I'm a hypocrite at time as well. That's how it is. This tension will always be there. Deal with it.<BR/><BR/>I don't mean to be flippant but apart from selling all your possessions and following Christ (which I know you "small e" evangelical heart is really talking about) you will always feel the tension between affluence/poverty and justice/apathy.<BR/><BR/>Don't let the legitimate problem of power freeze you into inaction. Either change your situation or acknowledge the tension and press forward.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18103415.post-5462137810088676562007-07-24T12:22:00.000-06:002007-07-24T12:22:00.000-06:00Hi Jeff,Good thoughts. Bill Phipps really kicks y...Hi Jeff,<BR/><BR/>Good thoughts. Bill Phipps really kicks your ass with the whole "What does faith/life look like as the oppressor?"<BR/><BR/>Check out "The Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne. He works with "The Simple Way" in Philadelphia which serves to embody ministry, justice and presence with urban poor. Shane is an evangelical but is really beginning to raise awarenss of justice issues in a theological context. He has partnered with Sojourners on numerous occassions for iniatives and dialogues.<BR/><BR/>No silver bullet here - but another voice that speaks directly about the integration of faith into this existential dialogue you are working through. Actually - dialogue?? more like reflection. Invite more people to speak with you, it may help.<BR/><BR/>JerrodAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com