A Crisis, A Call, A Way
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~ understanding the ways in which “disconnection” of marginalized groups has resulted
in a de-centering and devaluing of their voices, invalidation of their narratives, and barriers to needed resources and how the use of art and cultural (through cultural strategy) can build and restore “creative connection” may offer a theologically rooted means for supporting and uplifting communities ~ |
A CRISIS: Disconnection of the Marginalized
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Often marginalization involves the process/systems of disconnection including, disconnection from identity, freedom, agency, access, and each other. To (re-)build communities and center the marginalized, these connections need to be re-established (and in some cases, re-imagined). True liberation is as much about connection (to true self, to others, and to one’s own history) as it is about disconnection (from colonizer/oppressive thinking and systems). Throughout the world, there exist linguistic terms to describe togetherness and reveal our interdependent humanity. |
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Patriarchy, white supremacy and capitalism and their associated systems, institutions, and beliefs distort our understanding of our interconnectedness for selfish gain
limiting our domestic and global understanding of the expansive narratives concerning our interconnectedness and thereby, cutting us off from part of our strength, our true “community,” power, and imaginings of liberation. |
~ kapwa (Philippines) ~
~ Ubuntu/ Obuntu/Unhu (South Africa, Uganda & Tanzania, Zimbabwe) ~
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Internalized ideals of “personhood” become distorted and destroyed
making communities more vulnerable to external abuses and enable the harmful ravages of privilege to go unchecked. When societal injustices are allowed to persist and are cemented by the disconnection of marginalized communities, eventually all reaches and corners are adversely impacted. Liberation requires a connection to our full truths and experiences – even our complicity in systems of oppression. |
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Can we consider an organizing and social justice theology that is centered on building connection along multiple planes of being?
“the Holy Spirit is the continuing community creating reality that moves through history. He who works against community is working against the whole of creation.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “An Experiment in Love” |
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I extend this concept of “community” to mean “connection.”
Therefore, building “connection” can be serve as a faith-rooted act of resistance
serving not only the disenfranchised community but the whole of society.
A liberative theology of “creative connection” seeks to remind, reveal, build, and restore connections:
to the Divine, to each other (especially in marginalized communities), to self and to resources (e.g., land, systems, etc.)
through art and cultural strategies.
Therefore, building “connection” can be serve as a faith-rooted act of resistance
serving not only the disenfranchised community but the whole of society.
A liberative theology of “creative connection” seeks to remind, reveal, build, and restore connections:
to the Divine, to each other (especially in marginalized communities), to self and to resources (e.g., land, systems, etc.)
through art and cultural strategies.
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A CALL: Co-Conspiring with the Creative Divine to (Re-) Establish Connection
“…there is a creative force in this universe that works to bring the disconnected aspects of reality into a harmonious whole.”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “An Experiment in Love”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “An Experiment in Love”
One call to “faith in action” can be through mobilizing our connections to the Divine and our (co-) creative gifts
to build and support connections for the marginalized.
Biblical text offers support for theological considerations of both creativity and connection – especially as they pertain to social justice.
In The Wedge, Episode 3 (hosted by Dr. del Rosario) both directly and indirectly “collaboration” was viewed as powerful “acts of resistance” (described by Rev. Sandhya Jha in her discussion of non-profits and later revealed in the discussion of work between racial/ethnic groups).
to build and support connections for the marginalized.
Biblical text offers support for theological considerations of both creativity and connection – especially as they pertain to social justice.
In The Wedge, Episode 3 (hosted by Dr. del Rosario) both directly and indirectly “collaboration” was viewed as powerful “acts of resistance” (described by Rev. Sandhya Jha in her discussion of non-profits and later revealed in the discussion of work between racial/ethnic groups).
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Dr. King in “An Experiment in Love” shares the idea of “cosmic companionship”
serving as a “creative force that works for universal wholeness.” As we strive in collaboration for universal wholeness, we are equipped by the Divine Creator in our co-creator likeness to establish and restore connection. |
A WAY: Artistic/Cultural Strategy and Organizing as the Creative Connection
What is “Cultural Strategy?
Cultural Strategy” finds its origins in rich historical traditions of mobilizing artistic and creative resources and inventions in service of
“transform[ing] political and social realities.”
“Cultural Strategy is a field of practice and learning which engages all aspects of cultural life and all avenues of social changemaking
to transform society for a just, viable, and liberatory future.”
“Cultural Strategy centers a politic of repair, redress, reclamation, healing, and building power,”
and “artists, creatives, and cultural workers are key agents and drivers of Cultural Strategy.”
All of the above text is excerpted from Cultural Strategy: An Introduction & Primer, Art/Work Practice (AWP), Commissioned by Power California and Sen, Nayantara, Cultural Strategy: An Introduction & Primer, Art/Work Practice (AWP), Commissioned by Power California.
Cultural Strategy” finds its origins in rich historical traditions of mobilizing artistic and creative resources and inventions in service of
“transform[ing] political and social realities.”
“Cultural Strategy is a field of practice and learning which engages all aspects of cultural life and all avenues of social changemaking
to transform society for a just, viable, and liberatory future.”
“Cultural Strategy centers a politic of repair, redress, reclamation, healing, and building power,”
and “artists, creatives, and cultural workers are key agents and drivers of Cultural Strategy.”
All of the above text is excerpted from Cultural Strategy: An Introduction & Primer, Art/Work Practice (AWP), Commissioned by Power California and Sen, Nayantara, Cultural Strategy: An Introduction & Primer, Art/Work Practice (AWP), Commissioned by Power California.
Principles associated with Faith-Rooted Organizing and Cultural Strategy are easily aligned as illustrated below.
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“We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution” (National Cathedral speech, March 31, 1968) As demonstrated throughout history, appealing to the moral, emotional, and aesthetic sensibilities in social justice work and move the “arc” towards progress. “our position depends upon a lot more than political power, however. It depends upon our ability to marshal moral power as well.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Nonviolence: The Only Road to Freedom” |
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“…We have creative instruments for the transformation of perspectives and the conversion of hearts that go far beyond analysis and policy recommendations. When we seek to spread new ideas among humanity, we can turn to story, poetry, music, and movement to inspire the heart and imagination – in our private conversations with the powerful, in formal hearings before official bodies, and in the streets.”
~ Salvatierra, Alexia and Peter Heltzel. Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church in Service to the World, Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2014, 132. Through the collaborative use of art and creativity, the principles of “cultural strategy” center marginalized communities by valuing and validating community voice and wisdom and by supporting people to identify issues important to them, shift harmful narratives, and imagine inclusive, empowering, and hopeful futures, like those associated with “shalom justice” Salvatierra and Heltzel). |
Useful references:
The above text was adapted from “Final Project: Integration of Theology and Cultural Strategist Social Context” for FT1927: Intercession 2021: Social Transformation in Action (del Rosario) and from “Final Project: Social Justice Artist Cadre” for FERS-3002 MAST Social Change Field Work (del Rosario).
- Cultural Strategy: An Introduction & Primer, Art/Work Practice (AWP), Commissioned by Power California
- Sen, Nayantara, Cultural Strategy: An Introduction & Primer, Art/Work Practice (AWP), Commissioned by Power California
- Episode 5 of The Wedge (hosted by Dr. del Rosario) Dr, del Rosario and Dr. E.J. David discussed how important it is “love our selves” and our inter-connectedness, thereby reducing our “double consciousness.”
- The work of W.E.B.Dubois’ The Souls of Black Folk (1903)
- Salvatierra, Alexia and Peter Heltzel. Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church in Service to the World, Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2014.
The above text was adapted from “Final Project: Integration of Theology and Cultural Strategist Social Context” for FT1927: Intercession 2021: Social Transformation in Action (del Rosario) and from “Final Project: Social Justice Artist Cadre” for FERS-3002 MAST Social Change Field Work (del Rosario).