. . . lessons in humility . . .

I've been going to Good Shepherd every Monday for sermon prep. A few weeks ago we were discussing the last sermon of our last series, Reconnecting. We were talking about what it is that keeps us from bridging gaps with others. One of the pastors in the group spoke up and said, bridging gaps is usually something that happens when you have privilege. There are things in the lives of those with less privilege that keep them from crossing the barriers we know exist.

Each week I've been there I have started talking to a woman that does their facility cleaning.

I could tell that her first language was not English. I am a white woman who looks like a typical English-speaking person. So, based on looks, she was probably able to deduce that communication with me would be difficult. So, it was in my court to make the first step. My privilege requires me to do it. I could use my privilege to just dismiss her if I didn't want to make a connection...

BUT here's where I misused my privilege. I never once asked her what her name was. Instead, I just started speaking Spanish to her after I said hello in English and heard her accent. In my mind at that moment, I was thinking I did a good thing
In reality, though, I used my privilege and robbed her of her dignity and humanity by not even asking her name. I'm a jerk and will ask her next time. In addition, I am more than likely the more educated and economically privileged person in this scenario so it's not like she would probably ask me to have lunch with her. It's mostly up to me to engage with her to develop a relationship.

Enriching our lives by crossing these unspoken barriers takes intentionality, but if we want to actually be equal, the one with the privilege needs to humble themselves and take more of the initiative. And it's not just a one-time thing - it takes lots of effort...

I look at this from a point of view of being in a country where I don't speak the language. You will often see Americans in developing countries only speaking English to people who don't. There is always this air of unspoken assumption that the native speaker has to try to bridge the gap for the tourist. Really, people who have the privilege to be able to travel should be learning a bit of the language beforehand, or find an interpreter.

You might be thinking, "well, what about the woman who lives here, but hasn't learned the language?" Remember, many have moved here for better opportunities as adults, and it can be difficult for some to learn languages post-childhood.

As people with privilege it's important for us to examine the circumstances and bridge the gap when the situation is in our favor.