When We Don’t Fit In

About this Episode

Episode Summary

During this week’s episode of God Hears Her, Vivian Mabuni admits that as an American of Asian descent, she’s struggled to fit in, and this reality leads to a conversation on diversity, inclusion, and healing. From understanding terms like “microaggression” to walking us through how to be a good friend to someone who’s hurting, this is a conversation about how God intended us to love others, even those who are different from us.

Episode Transcript

Show Notes

Micro-aggression: An othering; it separates us. According to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, a microaggression is “a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group.”
“I have been on a journey, really, and some of it has been learning to actually embrace and celebrate my ethnic heritage because most of my life I spent trying to fit in.”
Here’s a kind way to ask a person of a different ethnic background about themselves: “Will you share with me your ethnic heritage?” Also, learn your own ethnic heritage so you can contribute to the conversation.
“American does not mean ‘white,’ and we tend to start to think that is the normal; and that is not necessarily normal. It’s its own experience.”
There is a strong rooting that takes place when we understand who we are and where we are from.
God intends for us to live in unity, but unity is not uniformity.
“I am not going to let what would be injustice, impact my character.”
“Instead of segregating our offerings into little cliques, which is so difficult, can we be more intentional of being inclusive?”
How to help a friend who is healing: “To be a good friend, don’t offer advice. The present of presence just goes so much further.”
We all heal differently, and learning to be a gracious receiver is hard. We need to be respectful that each of us handles suffering differently.

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Links Mentioned

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Discover the Word series with Vivian: “Open Hands Willing Heart”
Order God Sees Her: 365 Devotions for Women by Women
“Someday is Here” – Vivian’s Podcast
Order Vivian’s book Open Hands, Willing Heart
Order Vivian’s book Warrior in Pink
Order Bryan Stevenson’s book Just Mercy

About the Guest(s)

Vivian Mabuni

Vivian Mabuni is a national speaker, author, Bible teacher, and the founder and host of Someday Is Here, a podcast for Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Her writing has appeared in Christianity Today, She Reads Truth, and Our Daily Bread. She is also the author of Open Hands, Willing Heart and Warrior in Pink. Vivian has been on staff with Cru for more than 30 years. Viv loves drinking coffee with her husband, Darrin, and marveling at their young adult kids.

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