There were, I know, several reasons for my leaving Greenway High School in 1976, but one of them--one I remember vividly--took place in a locker room. There were two freshman team coaches back then, each of us with our own team. My compatriot, I swear, had a better selection of freshman ball players. He won more games than me and my guys did, while I was learning that I cared much more for what happened in the classroom than in the gym.
But he was having some trouble with his players, his Black players, who were sometimes almost out of control. Now the high school's head coach was Black, so he told my coaching buddy that he'd talk to the kid who was greatly talented but driving my coaching buddy plain nuts.
I didn't hear what it was exactly that the head guy said--a great guy and fine coach--but I couldn't help thinking that what went on behind those closed doors was a dialogue that neither me nor my friend could lower at the difficult kid. Behind that door, it was Black coach and Black kid. That made whatever lessons needed to be learned more possible.
I don't know if what I felt about all of that was racist or not--I hope not. But I remember feeling that this offer I had to teach at Dordt College, the place from which I'd graduated, the place where I'd more often than not danced happily outside the institution's modest codes as well as its overwhelmingly conservative politics.
Here comes the potential racism: I thought it would be good thing--I thought I would be a better teacher at Dordt than I was at Greenway because I'd know my students, know the hymns they sang in Christian schools all across the continent, know the codes and morals they lived with, even the ones not stated. I thought I'd be a better teacher with a room full of Elgersmas and Van Dykes. I was a very good teacher at Greenway; the year I left, the students voted me Teacher of the Year; but I'd be better at a school like Dordt, I told myself, where I'd be with my own people.
I used to feel that way, too. That's why I never left. That's why I've done all kinds of work--writing work--for the denomination into which I was born and reared. Through all those 39 years I thought I understood my students, kids from strict but thoughtful Christian homes, like the one in which I was reared. I thought I was teaching students from my village.
I wish it weren't true, but I don't feel that way anymore. The vast majority of the people in my village have determined that our President will rescue us from the abomination that Joe Biden was. Eighty-five percent of the voters in Sioux County, the voters that surround me here, cast their lots with a man who wouldn't know the truth if it came right up and knocked out his front teeth.
Now, as of yesterday, according to the King of Orange, Putin is a fine man and Zelensky is a dictator. Now. as of yesterday, the whole three-year butcher shop in Ukraine is the fault of Zalensky, not Putin, even though any adult alive at the time can't help but remember how Putin surrounded the country with his troops, all the while denying speculation that he was moving into the Ukraine. Then--oops!--he did.
But that's not faith, you say? I think it is, and I think I was taught to believe that all of life is religion, that our faith makes a difference in everything we do and say, in the culture we establish and direct.
Trump has unloosened the world's richest man to put the government as we know it on a chopping block. The man's team of hackers have free reign to run over you and me and the horses we rode in on, and Trump says it's all just fine because he said it is. His doormat Republicans have long ago been emasculated.
"My people" are no longer my people, as I'm sure most of them would be happy to say. I think the old argument I used to justify returning to Iowa from Arizona was right, and I'm happy I made it; but in the last decade or so, I'm no longer part of the family, and I'm sure that's okay with most of those I used to consider my brothers and sisters.
It's sad.
14 comments:
Better to meet a mother bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly.
What to do about Mr. Bone spur?
It is probably good he was kept off campus.
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
I had a talk with a black chiropractor at a unitarian "church" who said he could not make any sense out or "loving his enemies." This chiropractor(combat medic) had been at the Battle of Kasserine Pass with my uncle john when Rommel integrated the US military.
E Michael Jones talks about loving his enemies at Cultualwars.com
My Mennonite friend Ben Klassen concluded that sermon on the mount is just an attempt to subvert non-Jews by the Jews --The white man’s bible.
I am still thinking about the situation.
thanks,
Jerry
I won't pretend to know what this comment means.
Jim, I also understand the way you feel
Dr. Schaap, I feel the same way about my former community, though I never felt totally in sync with it. But feeling that way about DU makes me sad. It had so much to offer the world, but forgot what it means to be Reformed in culture. Very, very sad.
This entry makes so much sense and I am thankful that you made it public. Not thankful that you feel this way, since losing your moorings in your own “family” is never easy, but thankful that you shared publicly because your blog shows some of the rest of us who now also are “outside the family” that we are not crazy and not alone. I’m 40, born and raised CRC, and have appreciated your writing since I started reading the Banner as an elementary schooler….and was given books like “100% Chance of Frogs” upon my profession of faith. I’m thankful you did so much writing for the denomination - rereading “Our Family Album” helped me understand what I was feeling when I found myself as an adult needing to navigate other faith communities. Collections like “Still Life” and “Barneveldt Calvary” allow me to revisit and re-examine my roots and ultimately feel less alone. For those that were paying attention, you’ve been one to pose good questions, reveal the universality of the human heart, and always point to grace. Thank you.
It is sad, and unjust. Our current political situation and feeling outside or out of step with the body of Christians we have been part of leaves me a bit disoriented, as the above commenter says. But for now, I'm just hanging onto the core of faith in Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
I'm wonderfully blessed--and honored--by your affirming remarks. Thanks so much!
The culture wars just did us in, I guess.
+I found it hopeful that in the caucus 44 percent of Republican voters voted for trump. In O’Brien, Lyon, and Osceola counties 68 percent voted for trump. (I hope my percentages are correct—they are close.) Also, there are more democrats, and republicans who chose not to vote for trump, than we are lead to believe living in our area. We are quiet, it may be because we are fearful of damage to our property by republicans. Our country will only be saved if we speak out —in a way that is believable—to the many people who believe Jan. 6 was a normal tourist day. And who believe that trump has our interest as a goal rather than becoming a dictator. We need to stand up to our friends and neighbors who listen only to Fox News.
More important, our representatives and senators need to stop being cowed by trump before we cannot correct his actions and the United States people lose our freedoms.
Romans 13
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.
I'm sorry, but no one is arguing that one should not respect their leaders. This scripture does not fit the discussion here. To say that Trump is God's chosen leader for the USA is simply a misunderstanding at best. Was Hitler God's chosen leader to destroy the Jews and other undesirable people? I would like to think that people in communities everywhere would read, discuss, and use discernment rather than latch onto the the philosophy of TV hosts.
I am bringing my righteousness near,
it is not far away;
and my salvation will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion,
my splendor to Israel.
You are not alone. Ten years ago we left our 'family' because they voted to exclude some people. Now in NW Iowa, a republican is voted for, according to former friends, because their husband, their father, and their grandfather were republicans. I do not know when our government lost its purpose to serve the people. I do know that there are documentaries, films, more news casts than Fox, that show that trump is a sociopath, a self-centered man with no care for family or the United States or world people. His lies are obvious; his morals are poor. I am reminded of the Bible which says that "the people were unable to see." But you are not alone; we will have a dictator unless we are able to stop him.
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