Ok…so I have watched the musical, Hairspray, at least a couple of dozen times. I know every bar of the music, every lyric and every nuance of the story line. It is fluffy and silly with lots of singing and dancing.
So why did I find myself wiping away tears when I watched it today? Why the hell was I crying at a silly, feel-good musical?
For some reason…today…I was struck by the beautiful portrayal of how ordinary people can fight injustice.
If you don’t know the story, it is centered on a dance show that caters to white, middle class teens during the early 60s. Things are disrupted when a very talented, but overweight, girl gets on the show, much to the dismay of the more beautiful people who like the status quo of the privileged. She props open the door to the wider issue of racial segregation that was prevalent during the time. The story climaxes when a young black girl (Inez) wins the ultimate dance competition and everything explodes. Finally, blacks and whites dancing together on TV for the first time.
So, here is the part that got to me. Little Inez was very talented, but that wasn’t enough. No one would ever know what she had to offer as long as she stayed in the shadows. Because of the climate of her environment, her talent alone would never get her on that stage. It took a white, good-looking, popular man to invite her to play. It took someone who already had the stage to risk for her.
Of course, this made me think of the injustices in the church with regards to gender and race and what it will take to make a way for everyone to play. I am certainly not the first one to say this, but seeing this movie today made me see the truth in a whole new way. If the church is going to fight injustice, people with power and privilege and influence must make a way for others. They must RISK that privilege on behalf of those that don’t have it; risking their own reputations, status and futures to give others a chance. They must look around at who is in the shadows exhibiting the talents, calling and gifts...and then invite them on the stage.
In the movie, once the dancing broke out, the host of the show walked off stage and grabbed the hand of the black hostess (Queen Latifah) who had also been marginalized. He pulled her on stage saying, “This is your time”. He took himself out of the limelight and put another in his place.
This is a crucial piece. Change won’t simply come by those marginalized making a big stink and demanding a forum. It will take people who will go beyond merely advocating for others with words, but who will also give up their place, taking others by the hand, pushing them into the spotlight and saying, “It’s your time.”
Wow…where are those guys?
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5 comments:
O wow...I love this. OK, so I'm thinking...
I love the sincerity of this post. As a leader in a church, it is easy to stick to a comfort zone and not want to take risks once we find that "safe place" where we think we belong. Unfortunately, the reality is that if we are not taking risks, we are not growing. It is my hope and my vision for church leaders, and jsut ordinary people everywhere to get to a place where they are not afraid to step out on a limb and extend an offer to someone else, even it if means risking it all. If we have Christ on our side, then we should not focus on the consequence of risking our reputation. But reputation is something that everyone holds some value to, or at least I have often thought so. We are proud beings of our culture, and I think it is not until we are able to pur pride aside, that we are able to do things we normally would not do to get someone else to a place that they have never experienced before! All I can say is that I commit to say YES LORD, and risk it for the works of The Kingdom.
Love you Beth!
Wow...give up power...what an idea!
Seriously, how can we ignore this?
Thanks, Beth. Great job.
Wait a second...sports analogy here.....if Jackie Robinson is good enough to play he's gonna play ball regardless of his race or status position or current injustice...period. If someone is a dirtball but his talent is superior someone is gonna pay him to play for his team (aka Michael Vick, etc...) I don't buy it... I don't buy the under cover brother theory of "THE MAN" holding us down applies.
Anon –
Thanks for sharing your perspective…great point.
In 2010 it seems intuitive to think that sheer talent will get us noticed and then give us access. Unfortunately, even in sports, that was not always the case. There was a time when even a Jackie Robinson could not play. It wasn’t until 1947 that that barrier was broken. Do you really believe that there was no significant African American baseball talent before then? The structure had to change…and it didn’t happen overnight.
The sad fact is that in many church traditions, there is still little room for women in leadership. Even when there is verbal assent to the value of women in leadership, the structures must change and people in power have to be willing to share.
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