Moving toward integrity
Gretchen Castle writes about on the recent FWCC gathering
What do we know of one another? Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) is committed to building understanding and unity among Friends across the world. We learn, over and over again, that this profound diversity work challenges every bit of ourselves, even when we feel God working through us.
As the FWCC Central Executive Committee (CEC) met at Moyallon in Northern Ireland last week, we returned to our 2017 minute on privilege and historical injustice. We keep pushing ourselves to walk in each others’ shoes, to become closer by exploring how differently we experience our world and each other, and to understand better just what he meant when Jesus taught us to love one another.
FWCC CEC minute 17-19.
Issues of privilege and historical injustice.
We have taken up a concern raised by several Friends for how FWCC’s work in every part of the globe is affected by a history of colonialism and inequality, and by media distortions that influence perceptions of people in other parts of the world. Too often, Friends in wealthier countries only see images of people elsewhere in situations of poverty, misery, and need, while Friends in poorer countries see media images as if all people in wealthier countries were prosperous and successful. We too often hurt each other by assumptions we make, stories we tell, misunderstandings, favouritism, and superficial relationships. Even as we commit to forgiveness, it is difficult to forget or undo long-standing injustices and slights.
We recognize that a key part of FWCC’s work is to overcome these historical patterns, and to foster and model authentic relationships of equality and mutuality. That requires a willingness to name destructive patterns as they occur, to recognize when we have made mistakes, and to ask for and offer genuine forgiveness. When we know each other more fully, in our homes, families, and meetings, we can better understand the full person, not just the cosmetics or stereotypes. Much work has been done in this regard over the past decades, but more remains to be done.
We thank the Friends who brought these concerns forward, and thank the clerking team for making the time for these important conversations. We thank God for challenging us, and allowing us to see our failings. We pray for guidance as we move forward, with the intention of building a world Quaker community that is loving and equal.
How do we overcome the unconscious assumptions which are the legacy of the long history of colonialism and racism across the world? How do we value and deepen relationships, to the extent that it allows for the deep sharing and listening that is required to heal these wounds? How do we as Friends address these inequities that divide us? In doing this work, how can we help others imagine such respectful and loving relationships?
We long to experience the family of Friends as a family of equals, and we have much work to do in our Quaker world to get to this point. We are not interested in inciting guilt, but hope to bring into focus a higher ground, a larger vision of a more equitable world, and the Quaker ability to value that of God in each other.
It begins with each of us, understanding the many ways we can hurt each other inadvertently, seeing the blind spots within our privilege that end up being potentially hurtful – having the humility borne of the greatest desire to open and be opened before God and among Friends. It is through trust and sharing that we can enter into a deeper respect of each others’ experience.
Let us invite the Light into our relationships. Let us seek the humility that tears us open and helps us heal ourselves. Let us be made new in the face of our differences. Let us forgive ourselves and others. And let us know the power of God’s transformative love within our Quaker family.
