tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post2217239195501398727..comments2023-05-14T07:51:18.017-05:00Comments on The Suburban Christian: Deadly Viper authors and publisher retract bookAl Hsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04407264726681695790noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-72673804292903011962009-11-29T15:37:55.366-06:002009-11-29T15:37:55.366-06:00I've been following ALL of this and I didn'...I've been following ALL of this and I didn't hear Mike/Jud being vilified, rather a call to Zondervan to do something. <br /><br />I believe the Church is stronger, because people have bravely spoken up about pain caused to them(no matter who intended what). The pain was caused because white people are so clueless of cultures different than their own (I'm white and I know this about myself.) and they take cultures and caricaturize them. How can that be okay? (The same goes for the way this book was written re: women.)<br />I think leading a community via blog is difficult at best and almost dangerous in it's power and influence.<br />I look forward to seeing how Mike and Jud lead their community along, and how other AA leaders do as well, through these conversations about race and culture.Melody Harrison Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02394541782145297090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-29764467592159270472009-11-25T17:04:59.968-06:002009-11-25T17:04:59.968-06:00Ironically, it would have been better for Mike Fos...Ironically, it would have been better for Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite if they had been objectified in the Deadly Viper controversy, but it appears they were mistakenly made the subject of the discussion.<br /><br />If I understand all this correctly (and for the record, I am an ancillary vested person in this story, click here to read my own post re: all this), they touched a very sensitive nerve that (not only) the Asian American community has experienced in a “white captivity” culture—one that they have been grappling to put words to.<br /><br />The tragedy is that rather than making the subject a conversation around cultivating sensitivity to humanizing all people regardless of race, culture or ethnicity, the tone and the target of these wounds were aimed at two guys who were actually contributing to a conversation towards integrity, character and the affirmation of human dignity for all persons.<br /><br />I am a huge fan of Prof Rah and think his message needs to get out further to provoke a more grounded sense of our Christian identity as it relates to the shifting (actually, shifted) demographic in the mosaic of who actually makes up our Christian majority. But I am also a huge fan of what the Deadly Viper project was advocating for, not only in its content, but how the message of integrity, character and grace was embodied in the lives of Mike and Jud. It is sad how two important messages collided and the fallout that has been an unintended consequence of this collision.<br /><br />Let’s hope that everyone who made hurtful or accusatory statements about Mike and Jud, reconsider the content and tone of those unfair allegations. Much of the content I’ve read in the comment sections on blogs regarding all this has been unhelpful assumptions. These assumptions have only aggravated a sensitive conversation that needs to be played out. However, this important conversation should be held around more harmful eruptions of cultural insensitivity (i.e. the “Rickshaw Rally”) that somehow are left immune to the controversy Deadly Vipers unintentionally invited.<br /><br />Let’s also remember that Mike and Jud should not be the targets of this dialogue. If people want to pick fights here, there are plenty of other legitimate instances of racial insensitivity that are more important and appropriate instances that can be focused on.<br /><br />A positive outcome from all this would be an overwhelming level of support for Mike and Jud as the move away from the packaging of Deadly Vipers to their People of a Second Chance movement. A platform they have created for others that now needs to be extended to them, especially by those who have been so accusatory in the ways they’ve dismantled an important voice of renewal for our shared humanity.<br /><br />The essence of how I hope all this comes across speaks to the crucial need to humanize all people—the Asian American community and Mike and Jud. I think there’s a way that Prof Rah’s (and other’s) concerns can be, and need to be validated, but not at the expense of Mike and Jud—otherwise, the same thing that Deadly Vipers has been accused of will be done to them by those who are most concerned.<br /><br />Overall, I believe this has been a sad eruption of anger around an important issue that seems to have been misdirected at two guys who have given themselves to a much-needed message of hope. I think resistance to “white captivity,” or the imposition of any dominant consciousness of our Christian expression needs to be fought against, but not at the expense of the reputation and content of men whose message resonates with this struggle from a different perspective.<br /><br />*If you’d like to discuss this or comment on these thoughts please leave them here (http://www.chrisheuertz.com/post/257436160/further-reflections-on-the-deadly-viper-controvery)*Chris Heuertzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15439962765009546502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-63575858835323586742009-11-22T16:41:53.223-06:002009-11-22T16:41:53.223-06:00I am glad to know Zondervan is trying to become mo...I am glad to know Zondervan is trying to become more culturally sensitive. Hopefully, this negative situation will result in positive changes and opportunities for Asian American Christians in the Christian publishing business.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01837167365807718899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-2847995216599738982009-11-22T00:46:12.677-06:002009-11-22T00:46:12.677-06:00Interesting Blog! Its good to see other Christians...Interesting Blog! Its good to see other Christians focused on living their faith! Check out my blog below.<br />http://transformedromans12.blogspot.com/ABhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09472144936506582967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-28540430749495862222009-11-20T09:18:59.570-06:002009-11-20T09:18:59.570-06:00When I monitor twitter and search keywords:
deadl...When I monitor twitter and search keywords:<br /><br />deadly viper<br />DVCA<br />mikefoster<br />judwilhite<br /><br />I do not see a church that is stronger. Today multitudes are shocked, confused, frustrated, and feeling a loss.<br /><br />Maybe we will be stronger and more unified one day. And I certainly commend the authors and Zondervan for leading by example and doing the right, hard thing. But I think it is way premature to pull out the ol' "Mission Accomplished" banner.<br /><br />peace | dewdeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-7568017485665564412009-11-20T09:14:49.468-06:002009-11-20T09:14:49.468-06:00Glad to see IVP has been intentional about having ...Glad to see IVP has been intentional about having Asian American voices such as yourself in the mix. I hope this opens the door for more at Zondervan.Tim Liuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15616893710066935089noreply@blogger.com