"Traces of the Trade" 3/26/09 Screening

I attended the "Traces of the Trade" reception, film screening and discussion on March 26 as part of the WGVU Campaign for Love and Forgiveness and posted this:

Great thanks to Steve Chappell and all involved in offering such a personal and powerful venue for walking further into the reality of racism and the hope of being changed. The prophetic and compassionate spirits expressed differently by Katrina and Paul helped us see the breadth of possible responses.

Coupled with my preaching on forgiveness during Lent using the Love and Forgiveness resources from the Fetzer Institute; the annual Bridges diversity event and dinner in Rockford; the recent Partners for a Racism-Free Community annual event; and an Institute for Healing Racism in December 2007, the daily benefits of white privilege and daily degradation of racism are more evident to me. What is also more evident is the incredible value of seeking community to confront them. I found the question and answer time energetic and chaotic which is what happens when we are deeply affected by a common experience. I agree with the suggestion of having people submit written questions. Hand out the cards as we enter the event so we can write throughout the presentation.

One significant insight I received was in Katrina's sermon at her home church in the movie when she witnessed to the grief that is a foundational part of her journey with her family and the film. Grief and sadness are often covered over by anger which seems to be a more socially acceptable emotion. Yet, I have found when grief is acknowledged, we find more honest energy to confront problems.

I look forward to organizing some kind of next step in the fall in northern Kent County related to "Traces of the Trade" and/or Fetzer's Campaign for Love and Forgiveness. I am grateful for recently meeting both Steve and Rick Wilson, and the opportunities I have had to already work with them.