Discussion Guidelines and Film Study Guide Standing in the Gap: Student Voices in Reconciliation A film by Glen Kinoshita

Transcription

1 Discussion Guidelines and Film Study Guide Standing in the Gap: Student Voices in Reconciliation A film by Glen Kinoshita The documentary film Standing in the Gap: Student Voices in Reconciliation features the perspectives of Christian College students as they face the challenges of diversity in Higher Education. Christian Colleges and Universities across the country continue to reflect a predominately White Suburban Middle class culture that is also embedded in the structures of the institutions. Critical dialogue as well as intentional action continues to be a need. Standing in the Gap was produced with the intent to address these crucial challenges. Students in our institutions are a valuable source of insight and wisdom. In this film, students share what it is like to step up to the challenges of speaking out, engaging the student body and faculty regarding the need for heightened awareness, and ultimately they share their ongoing process of building a biblical world view while facing these challenges. Standing in the Gap does not pretend to portray easy solutions but rather seeks to move us into a dialogue about diversity in Christian Higher Education and to obey the biblical mandate to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly (Micah 6:8). Discussion Guidelines The goal of these films is to engage one another in personal reflection and group dialogue. These guidelines are offered as general principles to remember as we engage the content in the films. As we all share our thoughts as well as intently listen to others, an environment can be fostered where we can all learn from one another. Listen and reflect. In other words, try to really understand what others are saying, especially if their views are different than yours. Be respectful in your inquiries. Asking questions is key to growth in our understanding. Use I statements as you share your thoughts. In other words, speak for yourself as opposed to putting words in another person s mouth or speaking for someone else in the room. Do your best to communicate clearly. Be in touch with your thoughts and share what you are thinking and feeling. Remember, it is not for you to figure everything out or have all the answers in order for you to contribute. Be aware of your blind spots and limitations. We all come from various backgrounds and bring insights as a result. All of us, however, have more to learn about the world around us. Those from different backgrounds have a lot to offer us if we are listening.

2 Seek to learn from interacting. As we share our thoughts, others may gain insights from what we have to share. As you listen to other s thoughts and feelings you can also gain insights you may not have previously considered. Make a commitment to continue reflecting and engaging in dialogue. One session watching a film and discussing it will not solve all of the issues brought up. Ultimately, racial reconciliation is a lifelong process. You can use the questions in the study guide chapter to further reflect on a more personal basis after the class or session is over as well. They can also be prompts for discussion as you interact with friends and family. Know this, my beloved brothers, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20 ESV). Standing in the Gap: Student Voices in Reconciliation Film Study Guide Preface In the preface to the film, Liana Sims makes the statement, being a Christian does not negate talking about the tough issues in society. Being a Christian brings a liberty to talk about issues. What do you make of Liana s comments? What are the tough issues Christians avoid dealing with? Christianity is more than bringing people a bible, it s bringing them a God who cares. Do you think Christianity brings people a bible with an uncaring God? If so, how would people in need encounter a God who does care? Does the church today portray this? What scriptures come to mind as you ponder these questions? Suburban Plunge As we meet some of the students in the film, Christian Hernandez, Willie Rivera, and Liana Sims share with us who they are and where they come from. What are key points re-occurring as the students describe their urban background? How do they describe the Christian College setting? What were some of the challenges they faced as they matriculated into college? Reality Check Despite the fact that there are many good aspects of attending a Christian college/university, a common deficit is diversity. Students in this section describe their

3 frustrations, pain and surprise at the lack of awareness on the part of the college/university. What are some of the specific instances students describe as they entered college/university? What are some of the reasons Liana shares with us as to why she sits with her African- American friends during meal times? Emily Schulze likens discussions about diversity on campus to gossip. Why do you think these discussions are in private? Chelsea Albano says she hears her White friends say such things like, I am not a racist. Why are statements like this problematic? When I see you, I don t see Color Students begin this section by describing their experiences of hearing their friends portray Christianity and Jesus as colorblind. The students then share how they searched the scriptures in response to colorblind ideology. How is colorblindness potentially an act of defensiveness? How is the concept of colorblindness inconsistent with the bible? How do the students make a case for biblical diversity? Tabitha describes her study in the book of Acts searching for ethnic diversity and the issues dealt with. Have you studies Acts in this way before? What are the different ethnic groups and issues encountered in Acts? Students in the class react by agreeing or disagreeing to these statements: I feel it is easy for students to interact with instructors about diversity on my campus. I have been made to feel intellectually inferior because of my ethnicity. My college needs to hire more faculty of color. Put yourself in their shoes. How would you respond to each of these statements, or how do you think you would have responded as a student? What was your reaction as you watched them process by moving around the room? How are students at a disadvantage being taught by a majority White faculty? How would they benefit from a more diverse faculty?

4 What do you make of Dannielle s statement that secular universities understand diversity better than Christian universities? Dannielle concludes her comment by stating that Christians are supposed to be leading the way. What do you think it would look like for Christian colleges/universities to be leading the way in diversity in Higher Education? What was your general response to the student s discussion on what is White culture? Karina says no one has ever explained White culture to her. Can you list elements of what makes up White culture? What is your response to Liana s statement all ethnic groups in America live in relation to White culture? We don t call it White culture, we just call it American culture. Is there a problem in doing this? White Culture Everyday Stop on ponder Michael s thoughts on why he has to be comfortable. What is the connection to being comfortable and the issue of power and control? According the Christian s comments, what is the difference between racism and prejudice? God in our Image Michael begins this section by making the statement that he sees Jesus as White. Liana then challenges the validity of a White Jesus. Chelsea then describes Christianity manifested in White cultural norms. What is the connection with these concepts? Students in this section describe what we often neglect in our Christianity. Can you see how this is manifested in contemporary Christianity? What would a campus committed to social justice and reconciliation look like? Neglected in the Daily Distribution From this point, the students begin to process how to connect their daily struggles in their college/university to a biblical frame of reference. The struggles they engage in regarding how do we make our Christian institutions more inclusive is found throughout the biblical text. One of our challenges is to draw it out in our daily bible studies and make it relevant for today. In the section, Christian describes the pain he feels and experiences daily and likens it to the Hellenistic Jews in Acts 6:1-6 who were being neglected in the daily distribution.

5 Can you see the connection to being neglected in services provided daily in college/university settings? What might be some examples of daily distribution today? What was the significant factor in what the Apostles did in response to the Hellenist s murmuring? What would a mirror of what the Apostles did look like today? The Ministry of Reconciliation Many today use the term, racial reconciliation or reconciliation to describe the process of dealing with diversity in a Christian context. Many are uncomfortable with the use of the term. Christian and Willie unpack the basis for reconciliation as they seek to build a biblical framework. Can you articulate why many Christians would prefer to use this term, reconciliation? Are there other terms you prefer? In his talk, how does Willie connect the ministry of reconciliation to the fall in Genesis 3? Willie uses the examples of Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10, as well as Jesus and the Samaritan women. How do these examples apply to us today? Fighting the Good Fight In this last section, the students bring their thoughts together basically stating that their hope lies in building the Kingdom of God on earth. The solutions for the issues brought to light earlier in the film are addressed in seeing the Kingdom become more of a reality in out midst. As Liana opens this section she mentions, dealing with issues of reconciliation as a process. How does engaging in process make for a more viable option as opposed to seeking a cookie cutter solution? What is your impression to Christian s comment regarding the Kingdom is found most in the margins of our society as opposed to mainstream?