One for the History majors...

For those of you who don't know, I started working as a freelance intern for a writer/publisher a couple weeks ago. What first started as a means to gain experience in publishing has turned into a genuine effort to help one man "get the message out". And what message is that you ask? His name is Irwin Tang - an Asian-American studies published author who writes anything from history books (one of which is our current project) to political pieces (more to post about this later) to semi-biographical fictions (one I just finished reading called "How I Became a Black Man"). And, his cause, his quest, his mission is to deliver the message that racism in America is alarmingly alive and well. He explains how it perverts its way into hate groups as well as presidential homes, and causes children to commit hate crimes because their parents raise them according to Jim Crow laws.

The first time I met him was at our interview. We talked about the typical first interview topics such as educational background, past work experience, and future career ambitions. Inevitably, the question as to why I moved to Austin came up, and I decided to answer honestly as opposed to reciting the "safe" responses I usually give at interviews. After I proceeded to tell him I came to start a church, he gave me a quizzical look. The reaction was expected, but the question that followed was not.

“Why?” he asked plainly.

I froze; usually people just smiled and nodded uncomfortably while they politely changed the subject. To press further was foreign, and I was fearful at the thought of trying to explain my reasons for serving God to someone who probably thought all Christians were bred from Republican families and banned Harry Potter books in their homes. I hesitated for a moment, but after mustering up a steady voice, told him just as plainly,

"Because... I also have a message."

Usually, I try very hard to avoid placing myself in vulnerable positions. One way to accomplish this is to be too honest to a complete stranger who is evaluating you for possible employment. Some things I’ve learned after many interviews are the following: be composed but likable, show only the high cards on the table, and keep your heart safely tucked inside your sleeve. I had successfully broken all these rules in a matter of seconds, and felt like I had gone all in too quickly. But, for some reason, by the end of the interview, Irwin offered me the part time position.

When I look at his life, I see someone who has thrown fame and fortune to the wind all for the sake of a cause. And, I think to myself, how much less I’m willing to abandon my comforts for a cause I find much, much more worthy. In a world where people are constantly fighting to be heard, to promote their cause above others, it becomes increasingly apparent that the messenger determines the legitimacy of the message. As our stay in Austin progresses, I hope to do justice the good message God has to give to His people here.*

Interesting read!