Table Of Content

ON BEING THE CHURCH CRAIG wONG Deliver Us from intimidation, scandal, or Diebold she- tional in any way—other than, perhaps, nanigans. The concession speech was being exceptionally deluded. American honorably delivered before the strike of Of greatest concern for the rest of the midnight and with a transcendent mes- world, however, is the way post-9/11 Exceptionalism sage: “America today is a world away America has become exceptionally bar- from the cruel and frightful bigotry of baric. As one Iraqi put it, “You have [Booker T. Washington’s] time. There shown us your violence. Now show us is no better evidence of this than the your liberation!” Such cries are echoed election of an African American to the by brothers and sisters in Afghanistan, “The far-reaching, the boundless future will presidency of the United States. Let there who watch helplessly as women and chil- be the era of American greatness. In its mag- be no reason now for any American to dren are killed by US-led airstrikes. nificent domain of space and time, the nation fail to cherish their citizenship in the Whether in Syria, Pakistan, or on the of many nations is destined to manifest to greatest nation on earth.” African continent, the US national secu- mankind the excellence of divine principles; However, this rather victorious dis- rity apparatus continues its “forward to establish on earth the noblest temple ever play of our prized democracy, encour- strategy” of unilateral and preemptive dedicated to the worship of the Most High.” aging as it was, served to deodorize the action with diminishing regard for the John O’ Sullivan, foul smell of a particularly ugly election sovereignty of other nations. We torture journalist who inspired America’s year. Ugly is when a political opponent in secret prisons. And for immigrants, manifest destiny, 1839 is cast as a “terrorist,” and ignorant citi- whether they are political or economic zens are allowed to believe it’s true. Ugly refugees (and not only from Mexico or “I still believe that America is the last best is when the association of “terrorist” Latin America), the US has become a hope on earth.” with “Arab” or “Muslim” is left publicly hostile land where the “tired, poor, and Barack Obama, unchallenged in order to retain voters huddled masses” are arrested and detained 2008 (including cruel and frightful bigots). in brand new, Halliburton-constructed Ugly is when a reputable community detainment facilities. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive organization, i.e., ACORN, is made a Therefore, as the church, we must ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” scapegoat for the mortgage crisis…or resist the obligatory, inaugural message 1 John 1:8 when all community organizers are dis- of American exceptionalism, the endur- missed, on national television by a ing myth that our nation has somehow political candidate, as irrelevant slackers been divinely appointed as a force of good Professional football commentator John that lack “actual responsibilities.” Ugly in the world. True change—that is, the Madden often points out that “victory is when the political calculus elevates transformation made possible by Christ’s is a great deodorant” for football squads image over substance, let alone funda- death and resurrection—cannot be dem- that otherwise stink it up during a par- mental competence. Ugly is when one’s onstrated for a sinful and deluded people ticular game. Sloppy defense, multiple governing record is reinterpreted to if our hope remains shackled to systems interceptions, and poor play-calling have woo or, as the Bible would say, deceive and institutions driven by greed and a way of evaporating when the team man- a gullible and itchy-eared voting bloc. backed by violence. Let us be, for our ages to eek out the win. The deodorant of That the democracy we love to tout new president and the watching world, victory temporarily suppresses an unde- so easily resorts to lies, deception, scape- a visible reminder that the last, best hope sirable stench…without actually eliminat- goating, and lowbrow pandering—while on earth is vested not in a nation-state, ing its source. burning over a billion dollars on high- but in the Eucharist. n Such can be said about this institu- powered marketing strategies—should be tion we call “American democracy” at the sobering. Like the repulsive, slimy crea- Craig Wong is the executive director of Grace culmination of the 2008 election season. tures I’d find under the rocks in my Urban Ministries, a congregation-based non- Whether Republican or Democrat, the backyard as a child, the 2008 presidential profit located in San Francisco’s Mission general electorate (not to mention the race once again exposes our moral ugli- District that serves low-income families through watching world) marveled as record ness, our profound need for deliverance. academic tutoring, adult education, health numbers flocked to the polling stations We as an electorate are stripped of any services, and advocacy. He invites response at without violent incident or reports of presumption of innocence or being excep- [email protected]. PRISM 2009 32