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Men of Integrity, May/Jun 2001
"He Dissed Me"
This Week's Theme: Racial Sensitivity
Wednesday, June 27
Key Bible Verses: Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10).
Bonus Reading: Romans 13:7-10
The shortened use of the word disrespect as a verb, as in "He dissed me," began in the black community. Among the gangs one can get killed for arrogant words or actions—showing a rival gang's hand sign or wearing a rival's colors. This negative extreme underscores the importance of respect for the other person's traditions.
One day Jerome, a young black man, and I were working at a friend's house doing some plumbing in the basement. I know quite a bit of plumbing, and was unsure how much of it Jerome knew. "I'll walk through what I'm doing here," I said, "but if
I start going over stuff you know already, just tell me."
A few days later I was arbitrating a confrontation between Jerome and Joel, a young white man. Jerome explained how Joel made him feel when he gave instructions.
Joel's words and tone of voice implied his assumption that whites should know more than blacks. Then Jerome repeated the plumbing interaction and said, "I trust Glen because he respects me. He knows that I know some things."
Joel had unintentionally talked down to Jerome. Sensitivity demands that we affirm the worth of others.
—Glen Kehrein in Breaking Down Walls
Respond:
How can I prevent sympathy for the disadvantaged from coming across as paternalism?
Thought to Apply:
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (First Lady, 20th century)
Adapted from: Breaking Down Walls (Moody Press, Moody Bible Institute, 1993)
For your convenience, Breaking Down Walls is available in the ChristianityToday.com bookstore.
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Prayer for the Week |
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Dear Father, please remove the cataracts of insensitivity from my eyes so that I can see others with true compassion.
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