Written by: Matthew Kimbley
When most people first see me, they often assume I am Hispanic. Every time I visit a Spanish-speaking country, at least a few people speak to me in Spanish, immediately assuming that I understand. My response, “No hablo español,” often results in confused looks.
The truth is, I only have one-sixteenth Panamanian blood. My mother is Jamaican and my father is a Kentucky hillbilly. My heritage is a mix of German, English, Scottish, African, Indian and who knows what else. It is always a frustrating endeavor when I am asked to check one box asking for my race and ethnicity. It would be nice if these forms included an option for “all of the above,” since I am quite certain it would apply to me.
Aside from checking boxes on standardized tests or government forms, I also face the challenge of understanding my cultural identity. Looking through the list of cultural clubs on campus, I often wonder: “Where do I fit?” Yes, I could technically participate in any of these clubs, even if I am not specifically from any of these cultures. Sometimes, I can identify with a particular heritage when it is convenient—like when in high school I was awarded an achievement scholarship reserved for African Americans. When visiting Germany, I was able to make connections with my roots from my father’s side.
However, I sometimes get caught in the crosshairs of cultural conflict. Political disagreements surrounding controversial racial topics affect me differently than someone with a strictly white or black heritage. “You aren’t really black, and you can’t really associate yourself as such,” one black person told me. “You really need to go back to your African roots, since that’s who you really are,” one white person told me. Whom do I believe?
Amid our challenging environment, I have to remember that I am part of a race that transcends borders of skin color, language or culture: the human race. And ultimately, my home is in Heaven, not on this Earth. I don’t have to place my identity strictly in a culture if my identity is placed in Christ.
This is not to say that culture is not important. I find the study and exploration of culture fascinating, and I take elements that I find positive from different cultures. If you have a culture that you identify with, that is great! Cultures create a wonderful sense of community and commonality that can be a great blessing. However, if you are like me and aren’t quite sure where you fit, you can find many other ways to be a part of a community. Southern is an incredibly diverse campus and has numerous communities that transcend the bounds of culture. On a broader scale, the Adventist Church is one of the most diverse religious denominations, and I have felt a strong sense of belonging in many of the churches I have visited.
Whether you have a strong cultural identity or not, I believe that we can all find a sense of belonging in Christ. No matter how different our accents, skin colors or backgrounds may be, we can unite as fellow human beings and as Christians. We can strive to both create an inclusive environment for those around us and to immerse ourselves in positive communities. Wherever we may fit (or not fit) in this complicated cultural system, let’s find ways to create a world where, as Martin Luther King Jr. stated, no one will be “judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”