Nationalist Epistemology
What's Wrong with Your Country?
During lockdown, I frequently attended the virtual worship services of a local church in England. While there, I was struck by how often the pastor and church members made their Sunday morning centered their observations about "right or wrong" on the US. In one particular instance, the church pastor showed a video clip of an American Evangelist. He indicated that she was full of hubris, and then said, "I suppose our fault in the UK is that we are so humble!" He created his own sense of national identity, through the lens of religion, based on what he believed about another country - not based on God, God's word, or any commandment that God has given to the Church.
There is a nationalist epistemology which becomes increasingly exposed with international communications becoming more affordable and normative. We use the term "nationalist epistemology" here to reference a nation's knowledge production. This knowledge production is formed, not only by creating self-definition, but also by defining other nations. For example, the readings of other countries through our study of "world history," or the reading of other people groups as those which must be conquered in sacred text, such as the Bible, can provide a hermeneutical lens which encourages us to continue creating inequity on a global scale.
No longer do we need to rely upon assumptions of a nation's superiority as the lens through which we see Black and Brown nations. As religious leaders and religious scholars, this has import because it matters in the way we work with international students. It matters when we publish work in multiple countries. It matters when we preach to audiences around the globe.
Nationalist epistemology matters
The Misogynoir to Mishpat Research Network is sharing an article link which explores some of the behaviors which create global forms of inequity. We hope you will read something that makes you stop, take notice and do a bit of research. Many of us interpret the value of other nations and other people groups based on the interpretations we hear in our own country's politics, educational systems, and daily conversations.
Many of us interpret the value of other nations and other people groups based on the interpretations we hear in our own country's politics, educational systems, and daily conversations. Being aware is the first step - formulating a plan to stop inequity is the next step. Here's to step #1!
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