The Disturbing Thing You Missed During Chris Rock's Monologue

So last night during the 88^th Academy Awards, comedian Chris Rock, in his opening monologue, decided to tackle the hot button issue of racism in Hollywood that has caused this year’s Academy Awards to be so controversial.  While making several good points—the need for movie studios to consider black actors and actresses for more prominent roles in movies—Chris spoke about racism in Hollywood in a very charming and funny way that filled the whole house with laughter.  Like the guy who jokes at a funeral luncheon to cheer everyone up, Chris did a good job of lightening the mood for the rest of the Oscars.

However, there was one thing in his monologue that Christ said that actually disturbed me.  It disturbed me because of the way the crowd reacted to what he said.  So what was said?  Well, he said this: “I’m sure there were no black nominees some of those years. Say ‘62 or ‘63, and black people did not protest.  Why? Because we had real things to protest at the time, you know? We had real things to protest; you know, we’re too busy being raped and lynched to care about who won best cinematographer. You know, when your grandmother’s swinging from a tree, it’s really hard to care about best documentary foreign short.”

 

The reason this part of Chris’ monologue disturbed me had nothing to do with what he said, but the fact that the crowd laughed it off as a joke.  Now, in their defense, Chris delivered these sentences in a very comedic way with the intention of getting laughter as a response.  However, how can we laugh at something that isn’t funny?  I’m sorry, but the lynching of black people and the raping of black people throughout the history of our country is not funny, and to laugh at it is to make light of the seriousness of those crimes against the black community.

This reaction also disturbed me because it also downplays the reality that racism and violence towards the black community is still prevalent today.  To laugh it off as a joke is to send a message that we, as a society, aren’t going to take this seriously and it is okay to act with racism and violence as long as we can have a good giggle about it afterwards!”  But since it comes from the mouth of a black man we can laugh, right?!  Wrong!

Yes, I know that comedians are supposed to say controversial things in order to get laughs out of people.  In many ways, comedians will say truthful things that need to be said, but because they say them in a funny way that makes us all laugh, we can make light of them like they don’t really matter.  I feel that comedians are really prophets in disguise.

What is probably most disturbing about this is the fact that, to me, this signifies that we as a country don’t want to face up to our problems.  We would rather face the truth through jokes and laughter so we can discredit it as something we need to address and deal with.  Now, don’t get me wrong, comedy has its place and I love going and listening to comedians rant about how life can be hilarious at times.  However, no one can deny that it is hard to take something seriously when we all laugh at it like a joke. 

It makes me wonder if we have so separated ourselves from the violence and the hatred in our country that all we do now is laugh when someone brings it up.  Maybe its all we think we can do?  Maybe its how we cope with it.  Maybe, if we can laugh at it, we can remove some of the shame and the guilt of our indifference.  Whatever the reason, we would much rather someone like Chris Rock give us a joke about our problems rather than sit down and have an honest discussion about them. 

 

See you in the conversation,

Pastor Zach

Expanding Valentine's Day Beyond Hugs and Kisses

Ahh, it’s Valentine’s Day.  A day of sweet romance.  A day to let the one you love know how much you appreciate them and how you just couldn’t possibly live without them.  It’s a day to give each other flowers, chocolates, and cheesy cards that say things like “I wuv you,” or “you’re as sweet as honey.”  Anyone sticking their tongue out yet?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I think it is always a good idea to appreciate those cherished ones in our lives that show us plenty of love and affection and who are there to support and comfort us when life becomes quite challenging.  And, I have nothing against doing something nice for your loved one either (although perhaps that “I wuv you” card isn’t the best thing we could do to show our appreciation).  However, When I see the commercialization of Valentine’s Day and when I hear people talk about it, it is clear to me that Valentine’s day (to a lot of people) has a narrow focus of romantic love.  The holiday, as portrayed, is all about attempts to court a romantic partner, or attempts to get your romantic partner in bed for some “loving,” if you get my drift.  Unfortunately, this is such a narrow view of love, and it is one that causes a lot of people to despise this holiday.

What would it look like if St. Valentine’s Day was a day where we focused on broadening the world’s understanding of love?  What if today was a day to go out and spend time with a person who is a widow or widower and homebound; or a patient all alone at the hospital; or sharing a meal with a homeless person at a soup kitchen in addition to sharing love with our partners, friends, and families?  What if we used some of that money we spent on chocolates, flowers, and cards to support organizations that feed the hungry, provide homes for the poor, and advocate for the marginalized?  What would it look like if we spent some of our time together writing letters to congress, advocating for justice for the poor, or volunteered our time at an organization who lobbies for the end to unjust systems that promote racism?  How would people view this holiday different if we celebrated it by hosting anti-bullying workshops?

There are so many ways that we can expand our definition of love—love for neighbor, love for stranger, love even for enemies—by surpassing the commercialized way of celebrating Valentine’s day.  And, honestly, loving and caring for others outside of our sweethearts, friends, and families through acts of service is a way that we can expand the definition of love throughout the entire year! 

Of course, what is the best part about doing this is the fact that, as we love and serve others we build relationships with them.  As we build relationships with them we begin to see the goodness and sacredness in them.  Soon, we begin to see Christ in them.  As we recognize Christ in all people, there is now way we would allow any kind of oppression or injustice to continue, no matter who it is happening to.    

So, yes, celebrate Valentine’s Day and show that special someone how much you love and appreciate them; but then, go out and spread some love to others, so that this holiday becomes all about love for all the world!

See you in the conversation,

Pastor Zach

 

 

What a True Christian Candidate Is and Isn't

If you are planning on caucusing in Iowa tonight, or you are planning on attending a caucus or primary in your local state, wherever that may be, and you happen to be Christian and want to caucus/vote for a candidate who has Christian morals, please read what I have written below, especially if you want a candidate with true Christian morals (whew! Long sentence!). 

Now, there are several candidates that consider themselves to be Christian and to have “Christian morals.”  Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz, Ben Carson, and the Donald come to mind; although, I’m sure there are others in either party who claim to be Christian.  And, while some of these candidates say they have “Christian morals,” they make statements against welcoming the neighbor and the stranger; they don’t value life (unless you’re a fetus) as they promote the death penalty and are against any kind of gun control; they would rather cut off the poor from food (yes, not every poor person is a lowlife who takes advantage of the system), but allow the very rich to get out of paying thousands of dollars in much needed tax dollars; When it comes to social justice issues, like racism, they sweep it under the rug as if we don’t have a problem; finally much of their campaigns are fear driven and are not faithful to God’s abundance, grace, and love.  Does this sound Christian to you?

Being a Christian means that we place our trust, our faith, and our allegiance in Christ Jesus.  No, not Moses, not Abraham, not St. Peter, nor St. Paul, but to Jesus (for Jesus is God!).  This means that to follow Christian morals and beliefs is to follow the teachings and actions of Jesus.  And, if you actually read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), you will see that a lot of the candidates that say they have “Christian morals,” don’t actually have any (or very few) Christian morals!

How do I know this?  Well, when you read the gospels (and please, actually read them if you haven’t!) you will discover that Jesus welcomed the stranger, the neighbor, and the foreigner (Luke 10:25-37); that Jesus values all life (Luke 23:39-43); that Jesus calls for us to care for the poor (Matthew 25:31-46); that Jesus calls for justice of those oppressed (Mark 10:46-52); and that Jesus is about spreading love, not fear (John 13:34-35). 

So, when you go out and caucus/vote for a Christian candidate with Christian morals, make sure you are caucusing/voting for a candidate who wants to care for the poor and give freedom to the oppressed; who wants to welcome neighbor, stranger, and foreigner; who wants to place the lives of people above the right to kill or carry a weapon in public; who will fight against injustice whether it is racial, economic, social, etc…; and who will lead with love, compassion, and is intent upon peace.  These are true Christian morals.  Any candidate who talks about hate, discrimination, rejection, being unwelcome to outsiders, wanting to use lethal force in any way; and thinks we need to cut benefits to the poor are candidate who do not have Christian morals. 

Happy caucusing/voting!

Pastor Zach