The Department of Intercultural Development featured guest speaker Michelle Higgins on campus this week to discuss and bring awareness to diversity, race relations, voting, faith and discipleship and also to answer questions regarding the newly established Black Lives Matter movement.
Higgins is the director of Faith for Justice, a Christian advocacy group, as well as an activism supporter in St. Louis, where she directs the worship and outreach ministry at South City Church in St. Louis. Higgins said she thinks it is important to consider faith when considering voting and activism. Higgins spoke at the Gathering on Tuesday.
“Laws change the behaviors of people on the outside,” Higgins said. “Christ changes them from the inside.”
With the 2016 Presidential Election less than 2 months away and racial tensions tensions continually increasing, Higgins discussed how this is affecting voters. A recent PRRI poll showed that 80 percent of Democrats still believe that both African Americans and immigrants face significant discrimination in society compared to 32 percent of Republicans.
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the U.S. population reflects a rich mix of culture and heritage with 15 percent Hispanic, 13 percent African American and 4.4 percent Asian.
Lipscomb also finds itself rapidly growing in diversity; since 2005 Lipscomb’s minority enrollment has increased 263 percent. Lipscomb is continuing to implement programs that encourage diversity and bring awareness to social issues affecting minorities and people of color, namely with The Office of Intercultural Development, which serves as a resource for Lipscomb students of all cultures and backgrounds to learn more about recognizing and appreciating diversity and building intercultural relationships.
This month, most of the Intercultural Development events are focusing on race relations in America, the upcoming elections and the Black Lives Matter Movement.
Higgins is just one example of multiple opportunities for students to learn more about race relations this year.
Higgins will also be a guest speaker on October 19 at the Joshua Project Dinner, followed by a Q & A in Ward Hall at 6 p.m. and also at a M.A.S.K Chapel on October 20 at 11 a.m. in Ward Hall to discuss vocational justice and again at 6:30 p.m. for “Stand Together: Why We Can’t Wait,” followed by a prayer Vigil in Bison Square. All events are free and open to the public.
In the Gathering service, Higgins stressed the importance of Caucasians getting involved in the BLM movement as well, stating that the “movement is not just for people of color,” but it’s a way to combat racism and injustice towards anyone who is experiencing inequality in America.
Higgins noted that Christians have a responsibility to not just talk about following Christ, but also to live out Jesus’ teachings of helping those less fortunate, feeding the hungry and homeless and loving our neighbor as ourselves. (Matthew 25: 34-40)
“You do have a responsibility,” Higgins said. “Especially if your life is going well — to help your broken fellow man and reach out to those whose lives are in shambles. Is there room in your life to house and feed others or even to pray fervently for your family around the globe? That is the call of Christ.”
For those who have a desire to get involved with BLM, Higgins said the first step is to get educated. She encouraged people of all races to get together and have conversations about inequality and diversity and to continue to recognize the importance of understanding and helping others who suffer from injustice and persecution.
“Why should I be concerned is usually the question — and a fair question — except in the household of God. If you are redeemed by Jesus, you were once a criminal in God’s eyes and deserving of death. All have sinned . . . and display our brokenness in thousands of ways. So why do we [the police and public opinion] get to decide which type of brokenness is punishable by death?”
For more information about upcoming events with Lipscomb’s Department of Intercultural Development, visit www.lipscomb.edu/intercultural. For more information about the Black Lives Matter movement, including how to get involved, Michelle Higgins can be reached at www.faithforjustice.com.