"Inappropriate"

Last week CNN reported that the Trump administration excluded one of their reporters from a press event for asking what they described as an “inappropriate” question. (The Guardian, July 25, 2018) “Inappropriate” is one of those words that seems innocuous until someone uses it to describe you. And when that happens you realize that what is “appropriate,” is very powerful and very contextual.

When Jesus shows up on the scene for all of three years of ministry, he did a lot of inappropriate things. He ate with tax collectors and sinners, consorted with prostitutes, and did his very best to disturb every person he ever met in order to instigate change.

Change, protest, disruption: these are part of our Christian heritage.

But so is stability and order.

Paul writes desperately to the early churches, instructing them in how to establish institutions that won’t tear each other apart at the first sign of disagreement. He encourages slaves to submit to their masters and insists that women stay within the confines demanded by their culture. Don’t be so busy tearing down walls that you can’t appreciate them for what they provide.

Jesus had to act inappropriately because that which was “appropriate” was also unjust. Paul had to encourage appropriate behavior because that which was “inappropriate” was destructive to that which was life-giving. Where are we now? Where do we need to act inappropriately? When do we need to call for inappropriate behavior? What is the relationship between justice and peace and that which is “appropriate?”

As a Midwestern Christian, I know that “appropriate” is code for “considerate.” A person that acts appropriately cares about the comfort and well-being of the people around him or her. People who willfully act inappropriately are people who decide to assert their needs above the needs of the group. The often make it difficult for things to get done as a group and sometimes are downright selfish.

As a liberal academic, I know that “appropriate” is code for “cultural control.” In other words, the people who decide what counts as appropriate typically only approve those actions that allow them freedom and happiness (often at the expense of others). It used to be inappropriate for women to vote or speak about political matters. Dr. King’s protests were considered “inappropriate” by many of his more powerful contemporaries.

Listen for this word and how your community uses it. Are there better words available? Is there a middle way you can find between these two paths of disruption and stagnation?