11 Comments

  1. This is one of my favorite posts of yours… Thank you for such great perspective.
    I do not think you are trying to diminish the problems we have in this country – rather explain that a problem we may see as huge is actually relative in the grand scheme of things. I do believe if we forgot about “sides” and talk to each other respectfully as human beings, we would diminish the anger.
    Thank you for your post.

  2. I do agree with one of the above posters. I truly appreciate the perspective and the admonition to help and to listen. I do worry though that this diminishes the very terrifying problems currently facing our country. I am/was/? a Christian and am absolutely heartbroken at the Christian community in response to the new administration. That our president can stand there and say “america first, america first” to a world that watches, that our president can ban the entry of those whom Christians are called to love the most, the hurting, the sick, and he was allowed to do so DIRECTLY because of the evangelical vote is not to be ignored. The way that same administration has sought to delegitimize the press and the freedom of speech is terrifying. Jesus speaks over and over again to love those who need love, to provide for the sick and hurting and our country has dramatically changed course over the past few year in this regard. You cannot compare Kenya and the United States, they are vastly different worlds, political climates, cultures. The dangers we face today are very, very serious and to diminish those concerns is short sighted.

    1. I hear and see what you are saying Dalia, I truly do. I will also say that it is also dangerous to make the hasty generalization that all “Christians” and all “Evangelicals” believe that way and are acting that way. Just like it’s dangerous to say that all Muslims are violent extremists or “insert any number of stereotypes here.” I am a Christian and I did not vote for Trump. I believe in being the hands and feet of Jesus and loving the marginalized, the victimized, the sick, the poor, the hungry, the orphans, the widows, the homeless, etc. That’s why I went to Kenya. It’s why I keep going back. It’s why I volunteer and serve in my own community. It’s why I try to be a voice for ethical brands that are working in vulnerable communities across the globe and/or treating their employees with kindness and dignity. Because that is within my control. That is how I vote every day. I vote with my dollars and support companies doing good. I step outside of my house and get to work in my own community and even travel to Kenya to do the work there. Because that is within my control.

      Yes, Kenya and the United States are very different. Obviously. However, the point of this post was not to diminish our own problems or our own concerns in our country… it’s just to offer a different perspective. I’m also not saying that we shouldn’t have tough conversations and contact our legislators (I was a lobbyist in my day! I used to work for Tim Kaine when he was Governor of Virginia) and we should hold Trump’s feet to the fire… we should. But bickering online with one another isn’t going to do anything or change anything.

      I hope you understand my heart…

      1. I do see your heart and hear your care, that is why I read and appreciate your blog. As painful as it is though, 4 out of 5 white evangelicals voted for trump and the ideas he presented during the campaign, the ideas which he is now implementing throughout the nation. I strongly believe that as Christian who see the devastation being inflicted and see how this must pain the heart of Jesus, that we must speak up. We are members of this community and we cannot be silent, we cannot diminish the horror of these acts, we cannot stand down. We are the ones in the best position to speak truth into the lives of other white evangelicals and we cannot, we must not hesitate. Forgive me for being so impassioned but those of us who see the truth we have a most heavy obligation. People are suffering, the heart of Christ is breaking this is the time.

  3. Those are nice words, but not entirely true. Change does often come from the White House – good and bad. While 4 million women marched for women’s rights on Saturday, Trump sat in a room full of white men and made decisions about the health care of those very same women in Kenya you are talking about. This is not about social media, this fighting is about real problems and real people.

    1. I totally hear what you are saying, Noelle. That wasn’t really the point of this article… I certainly am not saying we do not have our fair share of problems as a country… we do… and I’m not saying that we shouldn’t contact our legislators and voice our opinions. We should. However, social media arguments in threads aren’t going to do that. Getting out and doing the hard work will.

  4. Thank you so very much for posting this, Molly. I really needed to hear this, especially at a time like this. A much needed perspective, indeed.

  5. Thank you Molly for sharing your learned perspective with us. I have been very discouraged the past few days from all of the arguing, hurtful social media, selfishness, and confusion our country is going through right now. I agree that sometimes all it takes is getting off social media and instead interacting positively with the world around us to bring light to the world. Challenging myself to do that, especially this week. Thank you for encouraging us in our own perspectives and for posing the hard questions and realities outside of our own country. Glad you had a safe and fruitful trip!

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