By Sarah Carlson, Arts Editor
I Am The Enemy
Battling sleep deprivation, stress and nerves, I followed members of Soulforce’s Equality Ride around Monday, talking one-on-one with several of the riders and attending various forums.
Each hour brought with it more unanswered questions, and when people occasionally asked how my day was going, I probably unnerved them when I relayed my ensuing existential breakdown before moving to the next event.
My confusion probably mirrors many students’ with Soulforce’s visit producing more questions than answers. Aside from our now-permanent red handprints from self-congratulatory pats on the back on how we handled the situation, th repercussions of this visit are far from over and the journey ahead for the university in regards to its discussions on sexuality remains unclear.
It’s easy for a group of straight Christians to come to a conclusion on homosexuality, but when you’re looking a gay man, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered person in the eye, you’re forced to reconsider the lessons you’ve been taught.
The most telling conversations during the visit occurred in closed sessions, mainly during small groups’ discussions during meals or in invitation-only forums where students were allowed to ask Soulforce members anything they wanted. Yet even these conversations were stilted to a degree, and upon reflection of the day’s events, neither ACU nor Soulforce truly engaged in an open dialogue with the other.
Yes, we were nice to them and cared for them. We opened our doors; provided ARAMARK meals, microphones and PowerPoint presentation capabilities; but were we fair to them? Our constant call was to love them as Christ loves us, but how can you love someone without really listening to them? Not hearing_-_listening.
We_-_ACU and Soulforce_-_each entered the arena with our minds made up. We knew where we stood, but avoided turning to scripture for fear of inciting a feud. Those planning the event feared overindoctrinating us, and a point-counterpoint battle about scripture would have served no purpose. Still, the conversation about why we each believe what we do should have been had in a more public venue.
So we stood there, gazing at each other from across the confusing divide, mainly thankful that violence hadn’t erupted, but our intellectual dishonesty damaged our chances of making headway on the topic of homosexuality.
When students mingled with the riders in the afternoon in the Hilton Room, many asked questions and listened to the personal stories of the 34 people traveling cross-country to make their point. To say the least, the sight of the various clumps of talking students and Soulforce members was inspiring. But this much honesty could not be found during official meeting times when university representatives spoke, constantly aware of the image they must maintain and the stances from which they were told not to stray.
The conversations must continue, and perhaps the administration will provide more opportunities for students to ask questions openly in a non-threatening environment – a place we can productively delve into scripture, not use it as a trump card to stifle conversation.
Although it’s understandable this type of environment can’t occur with 4,000 people in a coliseum, more small-group gatherings and forums should be formed to address the issues brought to students’ attention because of Soulforce.
Surely there must be a balance between yielding your time on the floor without yielding your position. We haven’t found it yet, but we stepped closer to it Monday. Now we just need to start walking.
