#crackingthecode

The article “Cracking the Code” by Jesmyn Ward and “White Rage” by Carol Anderson both cover the negative interaction between the black and white culture. In Anderson’s article White Rage, the argument is when blacks are given an opportunity to be seen as “equal” or obtain a sense of “power,” the white community retaliates. Similarly, in Cracking the Code by Jesmyn Ward argues her identity lies in how people preserve her, black. She supports this argument by her own personal life experiences as growing up as the “black girl in an all white Christian school.”

The article White Rage gives a series of examples and explanation of how whites continuously react to the black community when they are given opportunities. While Jesmyn Ward’s argument is a statement she makes by providing life events of being labeled her life as black. Anderson argument is that when a black community is fighting for their rights, it is seen as violent, a disturbance, or discrimination. While whites hid comfortably in the higher power of government. The conclusion I have formed by both of these articles is that Anderson’s argument is supported by the testimony of Ward’s life. Whether it is conscious or unconscious decision whites begin to feel uncomfortable when a black movement or individual is standing up for their equality and simply trying to become more apart of the society.

In the article Cracking the Code, Ward’s personal life experiences support the argument that Anderson also makes in her article. Ward ethnicity is only 32% African American and 41% European, but because her skin color reflects a different color, she is automatically identified as black. Another example that supports Anderson’s arguments is the moment in Ward’s life of being fearful of pumping into a white women in front of her. Even at a young age she knew, “Don’t bump into the a white women.” Her exact words was she was horrified. There is a issue in our society when it has caused even children to be nervous, scared, or even feel threatened by another individual based off the difference in skin color.

A further example on the oppression of blacks in society is the movement of “Black Lives Matter.” This is the statement from the BLM Greater Atlanta: “When we say Black Lives Matter, we are broadening the conversation around state violence to include all of the ways in which Black people are intentionally left powerless at the hands of the state. We are talking about the ways in which Black lives are deprived of our basic human rights and dignity.” This is truly what the movement stands for, but it is being turned into blacks neglecting other races.. Shortly after BLM made its way into the media, the  popular hashtag of “All Lives Matter,” was created. This is a prime example of when the black community attempts to have a voice of equal the white community retaliates. The statement of black lives matter was not to disregard the lives of others, or neglect other races, but it was to state that the black community has been neglected for years. Whites have turned this movement to something about their selves by being offended that it applies to “only black” people. When much of our society implies things are only for white people. Yet no one will blatantly make this claim, but actions speak louder than words. Even when African American’s stand up against their discrimination, they are continued to be discriminated.

This is the claim that Anderson makes in White Rage. She supports it with times of history like Plessy vs. Ferguson and qualitative facts. Not only does Anderson give example, Ward testifies through her life experiences  but the BLM of Greater Atlanta provides examples as well. Two black police officers are charged for murder in a police shooting, while two white police officers have absolute no charges in a police shooting. All three sources have the common statement that the black community is treated differently by the soul reason of race. To deny this statement of would be to ignore facts in someone’s face.

Therefore, we not only have this claim from an outsiders perspective through historical events, but also the point of view of people who have been personally affected. Jesmyn ward discuses also how her family has been personally affected by automatically being labeled under the black race category. Anderson’s argument is being personally supported by other’s life experience, than it is evident that whites are continue to suppress the black community. It is the simple science of forming an hypothesis and testing with it experiment. The results are Ward’s life supports the fact that whites discriminate against black culture and continue to oppress them along with BLM movement of greater Atlanta.

In my college English class, one of my class mates made the point that Anderson’s article “Cracking the Code,” is extremely one-sided, it even comes off a “little harsh.” There is irony in the statement that someone standing up for the black community comes off too harsh. The reality is not that this article is too harsh, but our society is too harsh on the black community. This article is stating examples of how the black community is neglected. To label it as harsh is simply validating the argument of the article that blacks are being mistreated unfairly. Anderson gives intense examples of how blacks are discriminated in her therefore her article comes off as intense. Not to mention the topic of discrimination is a tough subject itself. The reason this article might comes of too strong or offensive is because of the examples given exemplify the actions of others against the black community. Anderson argues with real life events that evidently show blacks being mistreated based off their color.

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Introduction

Welcome to "Cracking the Code," your comprehensive guide to unlocking the secrets of money-saving hacks that will supercharge your budget. In this blog post, we will delve into a treasure trove of practical tips and strategies designed to help you save money, stretch your budget, and achieve financial success. Whether you're just starting your budgeting journey or looking to take your savings to the next level, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and tools to crack the code and revolutionize your financial life.

Section 1

The Power of a Budget In this section, we'll explore why having a budget is essential for financial success. We'll discuss how a well-crafted budget acts as a roadmap, helping you track your income, expenses, and savings goals. We'll provide step-by-step guidance on setting up a budget that works for you, including tips for categorizing expenses, setting realistic goals, and establishing a savings plan. By understanding the power of a budget, you'll gain the foundation necessary to supercharge your finances.

Section 2

Unleashing Money-Saving Hacks Get ready to unlock a plethora of money-saving hacks in this section. We'll dive into various aspects of your daily life and reveal practical tips to save money without sacrificing your quality of life. From slashing grocery bills and mastering the art of couponing to finding the best deals online and saving on utilities, we'll equip you with actionable strategies that can add up to significant savings over time. These hacks will help you crack the code to a more efficient and cost-effective lifestyle.

Section 3

Smart Shopping Strategies In this section, we'll explore savvy shopping techniques that will help you make the most of your budget. We'll discuss ways to compare prices, negotiate discounts, and leverage cashback and rewards programs. Additionally, we'll provide insights into making informed purchasing decisions, avoiding impulse buying, and embracing a minimalist approach. By implementing these smart shopping strategies, you'll maximize your savings and get the most value for your money.

Section 4

Frugal Living Made Easy Frugal living doesn't mean deprivation—it's about being mindful of your spending and making intentional choices. In this section, we'll uncover the art of frugal living and share tips on reducing expenses in various areas of your life. We'll explore cost-effective meal planning, DIY projects, energy-saving practices, and affordable entertainment options. You'll discover that frugality can be a fulfilling and sustainable way of life, leading to long-term financial stability.

Section 5

Supercharging Your Budget In the final section, we'll dive into advanced strategies to supercharge your budget and accelerate your savings. We'll discuss ways to increase your income through side hustles, freelancing, or passive income streams. We'll also explore investment opportunities, such as stocks, real estate, and retirement accounts, to grow your wealth. Additionally, we'll touch upon debt management techniques to free up more money for savings. By applying these powerful strategies, you'll unlock the true potential of your budget.

Conclusion

"I believe every city has a key to it. If you can find the key to your city, you can unlock the opportunity to reach them with the love of Jesus."

- Ps Marc Estes, City Bible Church, Portland OR

 If every city has a key to it, how do we find it?

 It’s easy to take what we’ve learned, read, seen, and been taught about church and reproduce it. But the truth is, every city is unique, living, breathing, and ever changing. If you are called to a city, you are called to its people. Not just to bring in answers and solutions – but to engage in conversations.

A city is made up of individuals, their stories, their pasts, their dreams, their fears, their talents, and their potential. And they collectively not just represent – but actively shape its statistics.

As we study the demographics, economy, statistics, and so on, we must first remember…

A city is it’s people.

If we want to unlock the “key” to our city, we must start by unlocking the key to individuals hearts. And that can only come through engaging and listening. If we want to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” – we must first let them be heard in our own ears.

At Antioch Church in Long Beach, CA, Ps. Wayne Chaney and his team are cracking the code in their community. He says that the first step in doing this is through authentic relationships and listening more than we speak.

 “Sociological observations are great. I celebrate seminary education. But you learn so much from legitimately doing life with and living amongst the people. Interacting. Listening.”

“In urban centers, particularly places experiencing gentrification, we’re seeing a lot of people coming in with a plan as the hot shot to those communities. But so much can be gleaned from the people who are already there.” 

“Our first job, I think, particularly when coming into a community, is to learn all that we can. Again, to listen more than we speak. No matter what we’ve come with in terms of prescribed ideas, they have to yield and adjust to the environment that we are in. That’s extremely significant. To learn the rhythm of every city.”

Ps. Wayne describes the rhythm of his own city he has come to know well. How being just 25 minutes away from Los Angeles the entire atmosphere and culture changes. The rhythm is different. “We have to understand the difference between cities.”

 An understanding of his city has led to meeting many needs through food banks, prison ministry, legal aid, counseling, and much more. All through knowing the city and empowering the people of Antioch Church to discover their own “Passion Points” to make a difference. Ps. Wayne describes their vision to “become more like Christ and to create environments that are more like heaven.” 

Nina Vickers, Outreach Director of Together Church in Yakima WA, similarly shares that our first step in cracking to code to our communities is to first “ask” then “listen”.

 “Go to the local jails, schools, police departments, and senior centers. Ask questions.”

“How many residents do you have living here? How many of them don’t have family members around?”

“We see there’s a high gang violence rate right now; we’re here to help whatever you need.”

We can’t come in with our own plan. We may have great ideas to make a difference. But we may not even be seeing the real problems yet. Ask and listen. 

But what if we ask and then find the need is too great? That we don’t have the resources or adequate ability to respond?

Nina answers, We go in with no expectation. We ask ‘if you could do anything, what would you do?’. Though we know their answers could be endless, we make it clear upfront that we can’t make any promises - but we can commit to praying. That’s our starting block. From there we can work to connect the dots from needs to partners, volunteers, service groups, etc. Don’t be afraid to ask these questions. Even if you don’t have the answers – someone does.

 We’ve partnered with a local elementary school for five years now. Another local church has done the same with different school nearby. Actually, over these years all of our local elementary schools have been adopted by churches. We now have the entire Yakima school district, all of the schools, all of the churches meeting together once a month. We’ve seen test scores go up, absences go down, parents getting involved, church members tutoring, service projects taking place. That’s the result of the faith community coming in and not saying that we have all of the answers, but saying “we know that there’s a list of needs at schools and together we can tackle them one at a time. We may not have the answer to the whole problem, but we can help with a portion of it. And those portions add up.”

 Don’t be afraid to go to places that people say you can’t.

Nina shares that if they had held back on this partnership with the schools because they knew there was red tape between church and state, or because the problems seemed too big, then they would have missed breaking a barrier that has now made a major impact. Not just on the school they adopted, or the neighboring schools they partner with, or the Yakima School District, but now even other school districts are coming in to LEARN and model what they have built. The school is coming to the church for answers.

Sometimes, you may get told no, but you may also get told yes!

A few years ago, in Loveland, Colorado, an uproar broke out in the community when a travelling art exhibition passed through displaying a heinous image of Jesus entitled “The Misadventures of the Romantic Cannibals”. As protests, lead by Christians, were breaking out, the story made local and even national news. There were 37,000 hate letters and death threats sent to the artist and museum in a span of 6 days – all by self-proclaimed Christians.

Ps. Jonathan Wiggins of Rez Church recounts his response.

During the time this outrage was unfolding, their church was focusing all of their energy on a new event for first time believers. Someone in the church contact Ps. Jonathan prompting him to catch up on what was happening outside of the church.  

Realizing there needed to be shift of focus from inward to outward, Ps. Jonathan started reading the news, looking up the stories, and checking out this art piece that was causing such a riot. He says I didn’t like it one bit. But I didn’t really care about the art. I believe it’s our job as pastors, leaders, and believers to be watchmen. This was a watchmen moment. It wasn’t about the art – it was about the artist.

Ps. Jonathan decided to reach out to the artist via email (it wasn’t hard to find). His subject line read “Message From a Pastor in Loveland”, knowing that would grab the artist’s attention based on the negative feedback he had been receiving from the faith community.

 The email started, Hey, I’m a newer pastor in the community. I know what’s been going on with the protests. Honestly, I’m not reaching out to argue with you. I’d just like you hear what it is you’re trying to say.

Within two hours the artist responded with a four paragraph message explaining his perspective of Jesus. Being raised in the Catholic church, he described how the Catholic school had been very abusive to him. This was his way of essentially getting back.

 In his message, the artist said to Ps. Jonathan, I think the idea of Jesus is beautiful. It’s the pastors and priests that make him look terrible.

Over the course of several days, these message exchanges continued and God gave Ps. Jonathan an idea. He replied to the artist, You said that the idea of Jesus is beautiful to you. I would like to see how you see Jesus. Would you create an honoring image of Him? If you do, I will hang it up in my church.

Now this guy is a world class artist. He has pieces in the Met in NY, the Sydney Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum, etc. And I basically just asked him for a free image of Jesus.

Surprisingly he agreed, but with the question “but would your church accept something from someone like me?”

Of course the answer to this sobering question was yes. And from that, the artist asked Ps. Jonathan to describe his Jesus.

“Of all the opportunities I’ve had to share my faith I knew this was it. Instead of describing the Jesus we see in pictures, I began to share the Jesus of the Bible. The One who is able to see people where others see labels. The One who had high standards but at the same time offered forgiveness to people right in the middle of their darkest moments. I shared of what He did on the cross, saying Father forgive them. And as I’m describing Jesus to this artist, I am crying and praying for his soul.”

 To this the artist responded, “I see Jesus in your description and that will be my guide for the portrait.”

 The painting, valued by insurance companies at $35,000, is now displayed at Rez Church as a testimony for all to see.

The artist expressed to Ps. Jonathan that their friendship has brought a profound transformation to his life. And though there isn’t proof that he has since put his faith in Jesus, the artist travels worldwide telling the story of how a church in Loveland, Colorado and a pastor that reached out as a friend, is reflecting Jesus in an honoring way.

This experience has opened wild opportunities for Ps. Jonathan and Rez Church to receive new artists to their church family, invitations to art exhibitions, requests for art critiques, ivy league schools requesting comments on new pieces.