Weekly Words

The Extra Thought

In my last weekly word I extolled the virtues of Jesus’ going the extra mile passages. I talked about it as a principle that has ameliorative and rewarding benefits in our lives (go to “Weekly Words” at www.fellowshipoflovechurch.org to read “The Extra Mile”). However, I was challenged by two ladies who troubled the possible implications of my conclusions and Jesus’ statements about the extra mile. One was a sister I have recently become acquainted with, and the other was a long time friend, scholar and activist. Both of them are from different parts of the world, with different backgrounds, but with the same critical question. “How does the ‘extra mile’ concept affect women who are suffering from the oppression of male chauvinism, supremacy, and patriarchy?”
I will begin with my defense of “The Extra Mile,” because I will end by honoring and highlighting the validity of their critique. If I were to reverse the order, it may leave the impression that my defense minimizes the weight, force, and truth to their critique, and that is the last thing I want to do. Though I understand and agree with the problems of the extra mile idea, I do not think those problems are able to completely wipe out the positive value of going above and beyond. As a black man, whose racial kindred have suffered from historic and present white supremacy, I do understand that going the extra mile for an oppressor can be more harmful than helpful. It can fuel an inferiority complex, deepen low self-esteem, and further entrench us in an oppressive relationship. I also understand that as a black man, every relationship I am in is not defined by oppression. There are places, relationships, and social spaces where I am equal and sometimes even in the oppressing class. Thus I cannot escape the point that there are times and a moment where going above and beyond is “a principle that helps our careers, our businesses, our dreams and even our spirit.” Likewise, I believe there are few women, especially women with the technology to even read my weekly words, who exist solely and simply as oppressed women. Ultimately, I do believe there are places in most women’s lives where going above and beyond is enriching to their lives and rewarding to a given relationship.

Oppressive relationships are not such a place. This is the problem, with “The Extra Mile,” that I did not voice and that makes my original weekly word provincial. Oppression needs some concept of inferiority and servitude to exist healthily. I did not point out, and I should have, how Jesus’ turn the other cheek sentiments, go the extra mile thoughts, and even death on the cross is used to ask women to suffer through oppression, endure inequity, and bear physical, psychological, and emotional abuse. It is at this point I wish I could put Jesus on the cross examination stand and ask him how he balances his call to go the extra mile with his demand for us to Love ourselves as children of God. When is going the extra mile harmful to our very being and self esteem, and when is it rewarding and enriching to our spirit? We cannot put Jesus on the witness stand. Yet, we can put his followers on the witness stand, and this is what my two sisters did to me. The truth is I can give no absolute answer as to when one should go the extra mile, and when one should take a stand for justice and self. I can say we should do both! I can also say that Jesus places the greatest priority on us Loving our neighbor as ourselves. This means we cannot Love ourselves less than our neighbor, less we be oppressed. Yet, we cannot Love ourselves more than our neighbor, less we be narcissists. We CAN Love our neighbor as ourselves and allow Love to be the determining factor in all that we do.

Humbly in Christ’s Love,
Pastor B.A. Jackson