by Julie Jeffery Manwarren
David Robinson grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He came to know Christ as a teenager and went on to attend Clarks Summit University. He played basketball for the Defenders under Coach Mike Show. Robinson and his wife Erica have two daughters. Robinson taught bible at Lakewood Park Christian School in Indiana and Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, in Akron, Ohio, where he also coached basketball. In 2017 he accepted a position at Grace Community School in Tyler, Texas, where he serves as the director of equity and inclusion and men’s varsity basketball coach.
Why do you think we struggle as Christians when we have conversations about racism?
Robinson: One of the things I noticed right off the bat, is a disconnect in what we mean when we talk about racism. What I have experienced and found to be generally true, is when my white brothers and sisters are talking about racism, they are talking about it from a very individualistic perspective: “I’m not racist. I don’t use these slurs. I don’t have a problem with this particular group of people.” That’s all very individualistic. So, in their mind, because they’re not racist, or might not even know anybody who is racist, therefore it doesn’t exist or is a thing of the past.
When you learn about the past, you learn about individual acts of racism more than anything else. Because it is looked at from an individualistic perspective, then it is easy to say it is a thing of the past and doesn’t exist. But what I found more often than not is that when black people are in the same conversation talking about racism, they can be talking about the individual dynamic of it, but more often than not they are talking about the overarching systemic impact of racism.
Right away, that creates an issue because we are using the same term but with different meanings in a conversation that is already emotionally charged. That is why you have one side becoming defensive: “I feel like you’re telling me I’m racist.” And the other side is feeling hurt and frustrated because: “I don’t feel heard’ or ‘my perspective is not being considered or validated.”
When we come back to the principles and teaching of Jesus we see “Love your neighbor.” Our loving our neighbor is listening, seeking to understand, and not being dismissive.
But I think we are in a climate right now where people want to win more than they want to build community. And that’s unfortunate.
To have these conversations, what is a starting point for any ministry or organization? How do profitable and valuable conversations about race relations get started?
Robinson: I think it’s important that all of the terms associated with this topic need to be defined. I think we should define diversity. “When we talk about diversity, here’s what that means. When we use the words equity, inclusion, privilege, here’s what that means.” I think organizations need to take the time to define those. Especially because we live in such a politically charged world right now. A lot of those terms are going to be attributed to various political points of view. And in all fairness, some of those terms are used by people from differing ideologies. But my goal is not to get caught in that whole debate, because I think it’s a distraction from what really needs to be happening. It’s important for us as Christ-followers to define those terms and look at those terms through the lens of Scripture.
Practically speaking, when you begin to enter into those conversations, it’s important to carve out safe spaces to have the dialogue. I think you’ve got to establish how you’re going to have that dialogue. You’ve got to have “rules,” if you will. What are going to be your “community norms”? Things like: “We are starting from the place that says: this is my brother or sister in Christ, and I am going to choose to think the best of them. I am going to listen. I am going to avoid generalities and share my personal experiences. I am going to be comfortable with the fact that I might not have closure at the end of these conversations.”
I believe we can learn and understand where people are coming from and it doesn’t mean we have to agree with everything that they say. It also has to move from conversation at some point.
How do we do that? How do we change? And how do we implement change that lasts?
Robinson: In order for there to be lasting change, it has to become part of your DNA. I think that’s where a lot of organizations get stumped. I think this is true of a lot of Christians and Christian organizations. They say, “We want to be more diverse or anyone’s welcome here.” In reality, they just want proximity. Diversity is really just proximity. Sometimes diversity has been defined as “I’ve got people from different backgrounds and we are all in the same place.” That’s just a starting point. We may sincerely want people of different ethnic backgrounds to come, but we still want to do things the way we have always done them. We don’t want to account for the fact that different people from different backgrounds are bringing different experiences, preferences and cultures.
It’s important for me to say this here, when you start having some of these conversations I found that people equate diversity with “mission drift.” Or, we are changing who we are. Or we are getting away from our standards. All these little code words reveal a fear of mission drift, and that’s not what’s happening.
The reason I do what I do is that I feel passionate about families from different backgrounds whether it’s ethnically diverse or different socio-economic status or families whose kids need a little extra help in the classroom. God gave me a passion to discover how we reach those families and give those families access to Christian education. And not only give them access, but create an environment, so that those kids, regardless of whatever their difference is, has the same opportunity for success as another kid so that they have what they need and feel at home.
Building true community and sustaining it long term means asking questions. Can others see themselves in how you do things?
This will be hard. When you think about inclusion and creating an atmosphere where people feel at home and feel like they have a say and they see themselves in how you do things, then you can build true community. When you talk about sustaining long-term change, this is the marathon portion. This is the portion where I think Christian organizations aren’t willing to go. Because in order for everyone to kind of see themselves, you have to start addressing: “What does our faculty and staff look like? What are our hiring processes? What does our leadership team at the executive level look like?” If you’re an educational institution, “What does our curriculum look like? Who are we talking about?”
What advice do you have for how to build true biblical community?
Robinson: First of all, do the hard work of figuring out why. Have absolute clarity on that. Because the moment you start down the road of trying to establish true gospel community, you’re going to face opposition. An unfortunately, you are going to face opposition from people who were, at some point, some of your biggest fans. In that moment, it’s important to understand why you’re doing it.
Clearly define the terms and how you’re going to engage in these conversations. Then, you have to do something. And do it consistently. For it to be lasting, it has to permeate throughout your organization. It’s not just a one off.
Another practical point for individuals is to start to do some homework. Start to read and learn from people who don’t see the world the same way you do. Find the people who have the same biblical beliefs and theological views that you have but who maybe come from a different ethnic or economic background. I would also say read things from people who have opposing views and seek to understand their perspective. As an individual, do that work.
Most importantly, we need to see what the Bible has to say. Because the Bible does address equity, injustice and prejudice and things of that nature.
Be a good neighbor. Build genuine relationships. That doesn’t mean to run out and try to befriend every person of color that you know. Because the one person or two people of color at your job doesn’t need everyone running to them trying to be their friend all of a sudden. It does require a level of intentionality, but it needs to be organic.
I have really sensed a different level of openness from my white brothers and sisters and from Christian organizations recently than I have seen before. I really think that is the Spirit of God moving.
Understand that it does more damage to jump into it and then pull out when things get uncomfortable. In my mind, it’s almost better to not even get involved. That’s just my personal opinion. But there could be damage done if you don’t understand that it’s going to be an ongoing process.
There is no quick fix. Understand that it’s a marathon and not a sprint. You’re going to have to roll up your sleeves and get involved in the ‘messy’ to really build true gospel community.
Read the interview with alumnus Dr. Charles Ware.
Read the article featuring Ware and Robinson from Summit Magazine.
