Dark Weeping and Light Sleeping:: Whiteness as a Doctrine of De-Formation - Couverture souple

JUdson, Tim

Couverture souple

ISBN 13 : 9798869979650

Editeur : Independently published, 2023

Synopsis

Foreword

Tim Judson offers a deeply personal but rigorous academic challenge in this year's Whitley lecture, inviting us to face up to the reality of Whiteness.
The death of George Floyd who pleaded for his life with the words 'I can't breathe' was the catalyst for a global movement to assert that Black lives matter and protest the reality of racism. For people of colour, being named and defined as Black or Brown is an unavoidable part of identity because of the systemic racism: racism that is symbolised by his death. As I reflected on the question of identity this lecture raises, I was reminded of a moment in the film 'The Hate U Give' when the heroine says to her 'colour blind' white boyfriend 'you don't see me if you don't see that I'm Black.’
Tim Judson argues white people need to recognise the reality of whiteness, especially if White people want to stand up to racism. He draws on the insight of Black theologians in his lecture, without appropriating them, to show that recognising Whiteness is essential. Reflecting on his own story he observes the way White people generally take Whiteness as an unspoken norm. This prevents white people, including me from recognising the way that Whiteness defines the prevailing, attitudes, aesthetics and structures of our society. Such a denial inevitably leads to the othering of Black and brown people. It also contributes to trivialising attitudes to the personal and generational trauma caused by racism.
In the second half of his lecture Tim offers a theology of Gethsemane that invites us to recognise the trauma Jesus experienced as he anticipated the cross. Drawing our attention to a neglected theme he emphasises the contrast between Jesus’ desire that his disciples watch with him, through his darkest hour, and their sleepiness. He argues that denial of Whiteness is equivalent to choosing sleep when others are suffering trauma, caused by their experience of racism.
There are challenges and opportunities here. The sustained argument that Whiteness is real and needs to be owned invites a response that is not defensive but willing to learn. His powerful reflection on the garden of Gethsemane invites biblical theologians to investigate the theme of Jesus vulnerable needs of others in which he becomes one with all who need friends when faced with hatred, injustice and discrimination.
This is a rich and insightful paper with a prophetic edge that demands a response that begins by sitting with the uncomfortable truth it explores.

Romilly Mark Janes
Secretary to the Whitley Committee..

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Independently published
• Date d'édition: 2023
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 13: 9798869979650
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 61
• Coordonnées du fabricant: Manufactured by Amazon on behalf of the author; https://www.amazon.fr/hz/contact-us; ; c/o Amazon Media EU S.à.r.l., 38 Avenue John F. Kennedy; Luxembourg; L-1855; Luxembourg