When People’s Backgrounds, Looks, and Beliefs are Weaponized.
~ John 1:46 ~
It has been rightly said that “You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.” But we often do. Have you, or haven’t you ever been prejudiced or stereotyped towards anyone or a group of people? Or yourself been a victim because of your tribe, profession, looks, belief system? In a highly tribalistic society as ours, I’ve witnessed a lot of rejection and favour on the basis of tribe. A traffic officer once stopped me and asked for my license. On seeing that I was a Bukenya, he said, “Eh! Gwe oli mwana waffe. Ggenda!” Literally, “You are our son (one of us), just go!” And I left. Good enough, honestly speaking, there was nothing to worry about. However, Baganda have been known for being very tribalistic. The January 2021 general elections confirmed that.
But what about you, or me? I’ve personally been guilty of prejudice, stereotyping, even to some extent, “sexism”. I’ve casually made tribalistic statements like, “Abo abakiga bwebatyo!” Literally; “Those Bakiga are like that”. Sometimes simply about their energy and charisma, or their brutal honesty. Your feelings aside, they say things as they are. As one who has been both guilty of showing, and a victim of prejudice and stereotyping, I’ve been prompted to do something about it. Crazy as it might be, my hope is that we can have a conversation about the main issue.
Thrice in just one month, I’ve been told how I look like a Muslim. Which obviously isn’t a crime. But why? Do Muslims look like me? What about those who don’t look like me? First, it was two female traffic officers that I gave a ride. They looked at me and my “many kids” in the car, and concluded that I obviously looked a Muslim because of my beard, and the many kids of almost similar age most likely had different mothers. They were shocked to learn otherwise once they looked at my License.
Then just last week. I went into this grocery store and grabbed a few. A middle-aged guy clearly dressed like Muslim served me at the checkout, looked at me and probably thought I was a Muslim. But minding his business, he cleared me, and I was off. Two days later I came back to the same grocery store, but this time clad in my clerical collar and jacket. Again, I got a few groceries, and headed to checkout. Same guy, in his attire. Serves, but this time keenly. Hands me my change, and then asks; “Levulandi … okikola otya okubera Levilandi nga atte olina ekirevu kya ba Swahaba. Nga Sunnah. Atte nga toli muwarabu?!” Translated; “Reverend, how do you manage be a Clergyman, yet with a beard (Sunnah) like for Muslims (or Arabs), yet you aren’t?!”
“Reverend, how do you manage be a Clergyman, yet with a beard (Sunnah) like for Muslims (or Arabs), yet you aren’t?!”
This led to a 10 minute conversation about prejudice and steretypes, and my experience with them. I even told him of how I was once held a Schippol International Airport in Amsterdam for about 30 minutes while my Passport was taken away from me by security. My collar, beard, and looks seemed to be confusing for the security guys. Could I have been masquerading? Did I resemble someone on the “WANTED LIST”? Perhaps. They didn’t want to take any chances.
A very good friend of mine looked me right in the eye just yesterday and told me, “You do actually look like a Muslim.” I have been to an eating place with a friend, and the waitress mentioned everything available except for the Pork Ribs, which to her shock were my interest. On another of many occasions, I was catching up with a friend at a pork joint, and his other old friend from a Muslim school was there too. At first he didn’t see our orders, so looking at me, he feared to order Pork. A few minutes later, our ginormous order landed, and it was then that the brother declared his earlier fears.
I could tell more stories. But why exactly do people keep perceiving as a Muslim? My own friends confirm that I look like one, and that my beard is like a “Sunnah”. In Islam, the beard is believed to be the only visible Sunnah that you can take to the grave. And growing your Sunnah is a sign of respect the Prophet Mohammed, who is believed to have had quite a beard. Interestingly in Christianity too, those familiar with Church History know that right from the early Church fathers to the Reformers, big beards had a place at the pulpit and in theological seminaries. Why aren’t I perceived to be a loyal disciple of one of the Reformers? Even Medieval kings too had similarly big and long beards.
“… prejudice: a preconceived judgment or an adverse opinion, leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge. But what informs prejudices we hold about anyone?“
Should you consider giving to this Challenge that I have tagged: “My Beard for Kaabong and Conversations on Prejudice”, please use the options below;
Account: Tru Tangazo Initiative Uganda
Equity Bank Account No.: 1003201140647 (Branch: Katwe)
OR via Mobile Money to: +256 789 102248 (BUKENYA RAYMOND LUBEGA)
Well, my concern is about prejudice and stereotypes. I have known many Muslims without beards (Sunnahs). I also know Bakiga who are very gentle and calm. In my conversation with the Muslim shop attendant (name withheld intentionally), I mentioned to him that I have had my beard for over 15 years. Sometimes bigger and sometimes smaller. And that it had become part of my identity. People know me to have this beard. In fact, most of the people in my life, including my closest family, have no clue what I would look like without a beard. I’m so grateful to God for my beard. At least I have a lot of hair on that part of my head.
As I said at the start, I intend to do something crazy with my beard. The beauty of life is that it is sometomes interluded by moments of a little craziness. Not conraws of course! So, what would I look like without a beard for one month? Would people still think that I’m a Muslim? I am daring to offer the world that look for one month. But I will only do it for a cause. And you get at it a cost.
On the Sunday 9th July 2023 I head to Kaabong for a Pastors Training and Equipping Programme with Frontier Mission Team led by a dear brother Timothy Babwetera. There I will be particularly teaching a group of rural Pastors and Church planters on Church History, and the need and use of Christian Apologetics in Evangelism and Discipleship in their context. My attempt to do that earlier in March wasn’t successful but had a beautiful story.
Here is what I have tagged as “My Beard for Kaabong and Conversations on Prejudice” Challenge. I am willing to clean shave my beard for one month starting 8th July 2023, if you will give towards that trip and training in Kaabong. To make it practical, I will give you guys a target to hit – just UGX. 2M (Two Million Shillings only). Of course, my beard is not up for sale, so we aren’t discussing it’s worth. But in the context of the cause, and my desire to have a conversation on prejudices and stereotypes, I think such a sum is not an insult to me nor to you the giver(s).
But I’m a man familiar with such changes in my life. My once muscular and active left hand hasn’t worked for over three years now. In case you are like my wife, and you can’t imagine me without my beard. Or if you sympathize with her having to go through a whole month and more before I grow it back; you could just pay for that. As for my kids, I wonder what they will think. It will be a difficult one for too, having to wait months before I can have my “Sunnah” back. But, let the battle lines be drawn! Those who get to the UGX. 2M first will take the day. And all proceeds got to that trip and training in Kaabong.
Ultimately, what will count most are our subsequent conversations and decisions on prejudice and stereotypes. Why have I thought and said things about Bakiga, or women drivers in particular? Why have you thought, concluded, or said the kind of things you have about certain individuals or groups? I’m told there are certain prejudices and stereotypes amongst Christians themselves. Once while on a city-wide Mission in Kampala, a Pentecostal Pastor remarked that he wasn’t sure how to do it in partnership with the Anglicans “who don’t have the Holy Spirit.” Is there a Biblical position on prejudice? Is prejudice good, bad, or helpful? How has prejudice benefited or affected you?
“Ultimately, what will count most are our subsequent conversations and decisions on prejudice and stereotypes.”
Jesus himself was once a victim of prejudice for being from Nazareth. Nathanael genuinely asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). In the story of the Good Samaritan, you can be very sure, most of Jesus’ audience (largely Jewish) didn’t expect the Samaritan to do any better than the Priest or the Levite (Luke 10:30-37). They were bound by cultural and tribal prejudice and stereotyping. Interestingly, many of us are still prejudiced about people from slums, dredlocks, or the Karimojong, and especially the Ik people of Kaabong among whom I will be going.
The Merriam-Webster defines prejudice as preconceived judgment or opinion or an adverse opinion, leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge. So now you know you have obviously been involved in prejudicing or stereotyping. Perhaps more than just a few times. But what then informs the prejudices that we hold about anyone? And why do we keep holding onto them? Is there a Biblical position on prejudice? Is prejudice good, bad, or helpful? How has it benefited or affected you?
Well, let the Challenge begin. And let the conversations flow.
We can do this via Twitter: @theGospelNinja1
And comments on our YouTube Channel: @TruTangazo
Once again, should you consider participating in, and giving to our challenge tagged:
“My Beard for Kaabong and Conversations on Prejudice” ,
please use the options below;
Account: Tru Tangazo Initiative Uganda
Equity Bank Account No.: 1003201140647 (Branch: Katwe)
OR via Mobile Money to: +256 789 102248 (BUKENYA RAYMOND LUBEGA)
~ Raymond L. Bukenya ~
Speaker & Director Tru Tangazo Uganda