Contemporary Whiteman's Burden:
Reconciliation or Neocolonialism?
April 16, 2002 ~ By Jeny Covill
I have a curious book that was given to me many years ago. It reminds me of a good, strong coffee. It gets better the more you partake of it. It's an acquired taste! The book is called, "The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs To Know." At first I could not understand its value, but in recent years it has become very useful.
Last night, as I was putting together a different study, I came across this definition: " "white man's burden" - A phrase used to justify European IMPERIALISM in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; it is the title of a poem by Rudyard Kipling. The phrase implies that imperialism was motivated by a high-minded desire of whites to uplift the less advanced black and brown peoples."
As I read this, I felt sick to my stomach. How many times do we, as Believers, say we are ministering in response to a 'burden'? Questions began to flood my mind. "Are my Native people offended by the word 'burden' in regards to Native Ministry?" "Am I responding to God's burden or is it my burden?" "Does our ministry come across as a contemporary version of the 'white man's burden', or as the Creator's heart for true reconciliation?"
To answer those questions, I began to look over the Scriptures and more definitions from the above mentioned dictionary. I think you will find this very thought provoking and possibly even inspiring. If you are like me, you will definitely be challenged to present your heart before the Creator.
"Imperialism: Acquisition by a government of other governments or territories, or of economic or cultural power over other nations or territories, often by force. COLONIALISM is a form of imperialism."
"Colonialism: The control of one nation by "transplanted' people of another nation -- often a geographically distant nation that has a different culture and dominant racial or ethnic group. A classic example of colonialism is the control of India by Britain from the eighteenth century to 1947. Control that is economic and cultural, rather than political, is often called NEOCOLONIALISM."
Suddenly, it occurred to me. Our Native people were definitely victims of imperialism and colonialism, as the European people (aka 'transplants') enforced political control through wars, treaties and reservations. The common thought of our new era is that this is our past history, and not really relevant today. However, this is a false belief. If you look around you will see that in the year 2002 the leaders of this land are still practicing neocolonialism.
"Neocolonialism: The dominance of strong nations over weak nations, not by direct political control ( as in traditional colonialism), but by economic and cultural influence."
We know that this exists today on many levels. Our people are still in bondage to many destructive habits, addictions, and lifestyles that were the fruit of traditional colonialism, and are evidenced today by the poor economic state of the reservations and the battle to regain the dying cultures and traditions of our bands, clans, tribes and nations. Our people are still under the oppression of neocolonialism.
Our hope is in the widespread reconciliation efforts being made in both the secular and Christian arenas. However, this reconciliation movement needs to be the responding to the Creator's burden, in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. The enemy of our souls is also active in this reconciliation movement with a counterfeit that I call a 'contemporary whiteman's burden'. This counterfeit is recognized by a subtle spirit of control, power, and superiority by the 'dominant' people of this land trying to once again 'save the Indian', through helping them find themselves. (Note: Native people can also have a mindset of a 'contemporary whiteman's burden' or neocolonialism.)
At this point, many may feel offended. I do not want to offend you. The reason the enemy is successful with a counterfeit is because it looks, feels and sounds like the real thing. Good hearted, compassionate people with a desire to serve the Lord and minister the gospel can become deceived. There is no doubt that the Creator is calling people of different cultures to repentance and reconciliation with one another. The trick is guarding our hearts and minds so that the enemy doesn't influence our words, actions, direction or motivation, leading us to participate in empty acts of reconciliation.
How do we discern what is the Creator's heart for reconciliation between races and what is the counterfeit? We need to look at the meaning of 'reconciliation' and the Scriptures. The word 'reconciliation' is defined as: "The act of reconciling estranged parties; renewal of friendship after disagreement or enmity; the act of harmonizing or making consistent; agreement of things seemingly opposite or inconsistent."
There is a certain fruit to reconciliation we can look for: Peace and Relationship. Peace without relationship is more common, quicker to establish, easier to claim, takes less commitment AND is often superficial. It will not stand up when tested by fire. Peace with relationship, in my opinion, is the true measure of reconciliation.
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." 2 Cor 5:18-20
"God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others. What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God." 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 CEV
In context of this Scripture, and according to the Greek, reconciliation means: "an exchange, adjustment, restoration to (the divine) favor." Although the Scripture is talking about a relationship between us and the Creator, through Christ, we know that the Creator also desires reconciliation between peoples. For example, the Scripture says that the fruit of our relationship with the Creator and Christ, is measured by our love for others. Also we are to seek reconciliation with someone who has sinned against us, and we are not to offer a sacrifice at the altar, without first seeking reconciliation with our brother or sister.
It is my opinion that as we study the Word of God in the areas of 'friendship', 'peace', 'honor', 'respect', 'putting others above ourselves', 'carrying one another's burdens' and 'unity', we will be studying God's heart of reconciliation between peoples. Many people start reconciliation with identifying past wrongs against one another, humility, repentance and forgiveness. This is a great move toward peace.
However, relationship requires more .... it requires communication, communion, commitment, partnerships and walking the journey together. It requires hearing twice as much as talking. It requires acceptance and unconditional love. It requires walking in someone else's moccasins and seeing things from someone else's eyes. It requires going to someone else's camp, sitting at someone else's fire, listening to someone else's stories, and eating someone else's cooking. It requires dying to self, and making sacrifices for the benefit of others.
A counterfeit reconciliation will reflect peace, but it will not yield good fruit. It is like a tree that is green, but does not produce fruit. It is a hollow shell, that looks good on the outside, tickles the ears, stirs the emotions, but it lacks sustenance. A counterfeit reconciliation will not withstand the refining through relationship. This is where a spirit of neocolonialism can be evident. If reconciliation is administered with a hint of a control, superiority, economical or cultural influence by the dominating ethnic group or a high-minded desire to uplift those less advanced, one can suspect a counterfeit reconciliation or a 'contemporary whiteman's burden'.
For example, the Old Testament priests and prophets were supposed to minister peace, relationship and reconciliation with the Creator. However, we see through Jeremiah 6:13-14, that many of the Lord's servants were ministering a counterfeit peace. "Everyone is greedy and dishonest, whether poor or rich. Even the prophets and priests cannot be trusted. All they ever offer to my deeply wounded people are empty hopes for peace."
I know a Native person who is often invited to mainstream church services by well-meaning white pastors and ministers. However, when he invites these same pastors and ministers to join him on the tribal property, in the sacred circle or the sweat, they always decline. Here is an example of well-meaning white Believers, with a neocolonialism mindset, trying to 'reach' and 'minister' to Natives. They believe that their way, is the right way.
Not only is there a need for reconciliation between people and the Creator, between different races, between the Native tribes, clans, bands and nations, but also between Native Believers. I am quite aware of the division between the various Native Believers that seem to revolve around the issues of culture, theology and doctrine. Each person believes he or she is right, and that the other person needs help in seeing, believing and accepting the truth. In a sense, history is repeating itself with this new form of imperialism. In many cases, those in the debate, then turn to the white scholars, authors, spiritual leaders, and the writings of the white spiritual leaders who have passed on to the other side, searching for doctrine, interpretations and theology to support their position. This is sort of an indirect influence of neocolonialism.
It is my opinion, that when it comes to following Christ as Native American/ First Nations peoples, we need to seek Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Creator to answer questions. We need the support of the non-Native Body of Christ, as we journey into new territory as Natives and as Believers. We need the freedom and support to hear directly from God.
Yes, we are to instruct each other, teach each other, encourage one another with hymns, psalms and spiritual songs, and we are to admonish one another in love. However, we do not know all that the Creator knows. We do not understand His ways. His ways are not our ways, and our ways are not His ways. It is a mistake to think we know so much of His will for others, that we presume we are right and someone else is wrong.
"Everything God says is true -- and it's a shield for all who come to him for safety. Don't change what God has said! He will correct you and show you that you are a liar." Prov 30:5-6 CEV.
If we instruct one another with our interpretations and quoting of Scripture, our visions and dreams, and the words the Lord knits into our hearts through His Holy Spirit - with an attitude that WE know the truth, and that WE correct and that WE identify liars .... than we are at risk of a neocolonialism, contemporary superficial burdens, and a counterfeit reconciliation. The Word is clear. God reveals peoples hearts, God reveals what is in darkness, God reveals misinterpretations and God corrects us and God tells us if we are liars. We are to look at the fruit, test the spirits, and listen to who they exalt. God reveals so that we can see. Not the other way around.
Imperialism, colonialism and neocolonialism found in religion and Christianity was founded on the ideas, beliefs and fears that God isn't big enough to speak to other nations, cultures, peoples, governments and individuals, therefore man has to step in and take control. True reconciliation, with the fruit of peace and relationship, will come when we minister to one another as equals, and let God be God. Reconciliation will come .... one relationship at a time.
Jeny Covill
Founder/ Prayer Coordinator
First Nations Monday, Inc
www.firstnationsmonday.com