Today’s Scripture Reading (June 6,
2015): Genesis 21
Traditionally, one of the most significant differences
between Canada (where I live) and the United States is found in the way that we
try to deal with outsiders. For the United States, the term that is often
employed is the “melting pot.” The United States traditionally seems to have liked
to pour everyone into one grouping, and then take the best and incorporate that
element into the society at large (Yes, if you are an American, you are the “Borg.”)
Note, melting pot has always been a better description of the ideal than it has
been of the reality. And the current White-Black violence that seems to be
sweeping the United States is probably proof that the model has never really
worked. If the concept of “melting pot” has worked in any way, it has worked
for the upper classes which has excluded most foreigners – and any people “not
like us” anyway.
The Canadian model has, again traditionally, been “mosaic.” A
mosaic never tries to eliminate the individual elements, but incorporates those
elements as they are into the whole. A mosaic values both the individual and
the corporate picture. But there seems to be evidence in both societies that
the traditional descriptions are changing – or at least that those in the
majority position within the culture want them to change. (And please don’t get
mad at me, but “mosaic” is the way the United States has actually treated
foreigners, allowing them to even build little communities inside of the large
communities, more proof that the “melting pot” is largely a myth.)
The new model for North America would seem to be that of the “alchemy.”
We are no longer interested in “melting” the foreigner into our society,
allowing society to change the foreigner and the foreigner to have an impact on
society. And we also seem to have no desire to create a “mosaic,” to
incorporate the foreigner into society without expecting them to change in any
way. Our desire now seems to be that we want the foreigner in our midst to
change into us – and that is the dream of the “alchemist.” If you are a
foreigner in our midst, we want you to leave your traditions and dreams that
you have developed in your past life at home, the place that you came from. We
want you to dress like we do, act like we do, and accept the religious belief structure
(which is increasingly secular in nature) that we have accepted. For most the
phrase that pays seems to be “become white like me.” And there is only one
problem with the new model. Alchemy has never worked. And it is extremely
doubtful that it will work now in our cultural context.
As Abimelek and Phicol come to Abraham, it is not with a
demand that Abraham should become like them. The request is actually formed
around the concept of the “mosaic.” We welcomed you as you were. We accepted
you, now accept us and welcome us. We have already shown kindness to you, we
have taken the first step, even though you are the foreigner in our midst. Now
be kind to us. We have allowed you to live as you want to in our midst, now do
us the same favor and allow us to live as we feel that we need to in your
midst. Help us to become a single mosaic. As you have been given, give to us.
The reality, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, is
that often get what it is that we give. Violence returns violence, suspicion
returns suspicion, segregation returns segregation and, believe it or not,
kindness returns kindness. Maybe it is time that we began to leverage kindness
in our dealings with people who are not like us. After all, there is probably
nothing better that draws them into conversation with us – and helps us learn
to be a “mosaic” together.
Tomorrow’s
Scripture Reading: Genesis 22
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