The American Pull
I came to the United States in 2003 in pursuit of higher learning. Little did I know that my biggest dream was around the corner…she was my divinely prepared and staggeringly beautiful bride, Kristen, whom I had met in Uganda while working with children who had lost one or two parents to war, HIV/AIDS and other preventable diseases. I couldn’t be more thankful and grateful to God for His loving kindness expressed in my bride.
That being my highest point, there have been many other intriguing aspects of my experience in America. One of which I would love to reflect on. I call it “the America pull.”
As a person of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I soon encountered warring forces trying to put me in the categories of “conservative,” “liberal” or “independent”, terms of which I was not familiar with prior to my arrival in the west. In my opinion, “independent” is not a rather appealing bracket because it’s self concerned. I would rather suggest an attitude of interdependence.
Due to this forceful “pull” I was compelled to research and learn more about what appeared to be an American societal, cultural and political identity phenomena. I was genuinely interested because of the common sayings like: “While in Rome, do as the Romans,” or even most inspiring, “I become all things to all men to all men so that by all possible means…” What do these sayings really mean? The question of what I should become, if anything, began bombarding my brain.
Should I become conservative and seek to preserve the best of America’s historic values, promote life that begins at conception, argue against affirmative action, support fiscal responsibility in government, advocate for school vouchers and scream “You lie!” at the President, then raise millions of dollars in campaign contributions? Or should I be liberal, think progressively, de-campaign school vouchers because they are untested experiments, be bold in thinking new unconventional ideas, and protect the environment against the harms of industrial growth (global warming, etc.)?
Would my adaptation of these foreign labels mean working towards being Americanized? Well, how about my African decent…even more so, my identity in Christ? What a dilemma! I wondered as to whether conservatism had a Confucius and liberalism a Nietzsche? Who are the fathers and mothers of these sects?
One source described conservatism as the right wing people who generally like to uphold current conditions and oppose changes, while liberalism as the category on the left where anything goes. I remain puzzled as to why one would desire such labels. Jesus Christ did not espouse any of these identities.
While this grouping many serve to unite some people they also encourage division in the body of Christ. In my opinion, the label conservative can be limiting while liberal may be almost meaninglessly flexible. So I am inclined to the conclusion that these American categories are political terms and to some a form of religion, although unbiblical. These forms of identity are not the way forward to unity, mutuality, and oneness in Christ in any given culture.
“For there is no difference between Jew or Gentile- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him” (Romans 10: 12). The “pull” to which I belong is self-evident: Christianity! It is simple and not about labels. T.S Eliot defines Christianity perfectly; a life of complete simplicity (costing not less than everything).
I read a phrase that stuck with me and I feel gets at some of what you’re describing… “the tyranny of small differences.” We love to divide and to exclude based on so many different things (politics especially in America). Some of it is misplaced priorities, some of it is pride. But when it comes down to it, are we going to be united by our love of Christ, the Lord of all? Or are we going to let the small differences rule over us, separating us from each other?
Do you see an equivalent “pull” in Uganda? Whether political, cultural, or so on?
Thanks for sharing your experience with the “pull.” What does it mean to be a Christian? Who is Christ for us today? Who is my neighbor? These are the kinds of thoughts that I’m finding useful for reflection these days? What you have discovered in such a short period of time has taken me many years to come to terms with. The nature of partisan discourse is a “scam.”
The most basic and ancient “social scam” known to man is a simple little formula – “make you wrong/ make me right.” In the light of “the scam” it quickly becomes evident that the two-parties need each other like a tick needs a dog. They need each other because they need a partner for the “right-wrong/win-lose dance.” The partisan politics game, and arguably politics in general, is a cut-throat game of “winner take all.” This isn’t to say that there aren’t some decent people who are working in the political-shark tank in an effort to serve this country but my point is simply that we need to be honest about the bulit-in rules and values which govern the politcal arena. I am convinced that partisan politics is allot like the world of sports fanatics.
The loyal fan is convinced that his team is the greatest team in the league even when they have a losing record i.e. “Raider Fan.” Part of my identity as a Laker fan is that I have contempt for the Celtics (this rivallry is over forty years old). This “hatred” is what makes the rivalry work and I am proud to say that this has been my creed since I was a young teen. BTW, I have a theory about why Blazer fan is such a Laker-hater but that’s another story (hmmm will I be able to work that into next weeks blog?). Anyway, for what it’s worth, I affirm your choice to avoid that whole scam and to find your fraternity and affiliation in a community that’s not committed to the scam of “I win, you lose.”
Thanks Luke for your comments. In many ways you have complimented and brought yet another hew to the “pull” discussion. Yes! I have seen this kind of a “pull” in Uganda yet there also seems to be low enthusiasms for the division this “tyranny of small differences” bring in villages, churches and constitutes.
Christopher Laid, that awesome! I love the game the Lakers got! I am weary of the “I win, you lose” scam though.
Hey guys. Wonderful discussion. Michael, you touch on a very significant subject that I myself find to be troubling at times. This “scam” as Christopher calls it, is all too often accepted as the norm in the American society today. So much so that it cunningly slithers its way into the Churches’ value systems. I find myself troubled because of how the church (including myself) almost never questions these categories of thinking and political partisan loyalties. You are right. We need to be more discerning as we are led by the Holy Spirit and compelled by the love of Christ, in engaging issues in society so that we don’t simply take the default position of so many Christians today who, without thinking, jump on the political bandwagon of those who call themselves “the Right”…. or “the Left.”
I was shocked when listening to a radio host who was interviewing an evangelical Christian about the investigation of the alleged tortures of POWs during the Bush administration. The investigation was supported by President Obama. The Christian was not willing to say that the tortures against the POWs were wrong and wasn’t even willing to call the actions “torture” instead saying that they were necessary “unconventional tactics” which resulted in much needed intelligence that aided the success of the U.S. military. He was also adamant that people shouldn’t be all up in arms because those “tactics” were not even close to what “….those guys do to our soldiers over there” (to use his own words). Yes…. What a “Scam”!
By the way Chris,…Go Lakers!! You and I are among some of the biggest laker-haters around : Blazer fans… Yikes!!
Being a Laker fan in Portland legitimately qualifies us as a “persecuted minority” group! I understand their pain.
I remember that first Kobe-Shaq Championship in 2000 when the Lakers faced the Blazers in Western Conference Finals. Game Seven – Blazers led by 15 pts. with less than 5 minutes to go . . . Blazers couldn’t make a shot and the Lakers caught fire! The next year would be the same . . .the Lakers ripping the hearts out of Blazer fan on the way to another NBA Championship! Blazer fan has never recovered.
Take heart Blazer fan – you have a young, talented team but I’m not sure if you’re ready for the big dance yet.
Hey Chris,
In response to your 11/12 entry, I can relate as a lifelong Cleveland fan. However, I consider myself a more hearty fan because the last time a Cleveland team won a championship was five years before I was born, yet I’m still standing. I’m not worried though. I think the Cavs will end that drought, most likely at the expense of your Lakers this year. HA!
Scott,
It’s too early to tell if your Cavs are ready for the “next level” but the nba is giving you and I a Christmas present this year – lakers/cavs. If we’re both in town we have to watch it together or I’ll TiVo it. But you guys will have your hands full with celtics before you can go to the dance.
Hello,
I happened to stumble on this while trying to search for a lost friend, now one thing makes it easy to believe that i finally found him, the enthusiasm and passion that was, when you handed me a bible while i was in Uganda just around the years mentioned in your article/post.
Now is this Badriaki a friend to Andrew(now USA) and Brother Mohan from Washington now in Uganda? who was also a member of Calvary chapel in Kampala?