Recent Musings:
The oppressors' oppressor.
Monday, October 2, 2006
While reading different works on diversity for classes I'm struck by how much truth is embodied in the texts. Some authors who have been oppressed in their lives in whatever context seem to have a precise vision of others and are honest and realistic when understanding the fear that controls peoples' hearts.
One reading by Cherrie Moraga correlated that oppressors oppress due to the fear they live with which never allows them to admit their own faults and shortcomings - had they, they could then admit that they are not superior to other people. She writes:
"We are afraid to see how we have taken the values of our oppressor into our hearts and turned them against ourselves and one another."
Upon reading this, I wondered about God and people's view of Him. I wondered if the people that lived out their faith in fear, feeling oppressed by God's expectations, started to emanate that in their relationships with other people. I wondered if people who didn't feel oppressed by God and instead viewed Him as merciful and forgiving tended to treat others in that same respect.
This realization made me sad simply because the people who are doing the oppressing may feel they are living under that same microscope of judgment but in an even larger sense. I imagine these people may feel as if they have to oppress others in order to alleviate some of the internal pressure of their own faults.
Gratefully, I admit that God has revealed Himself to me through Jesus as loving, merciful and constant. If He had not, I would not be able to embrace the life I'm living.