I have been in a number of meetings where there have been different groups speaking – some have experienced being in a minority situation and others being in a majority condition. Attitudes and candour change when the majority/minority balance alters. My experience has been along gender, faith and industrial relations. Some observations below are after two recent gatherings – Muslim/Christian dialogues – one from this country where Muslims live in a minority situation and one from abroad where the Christian representatives were in a minority situation
Being in a majority can make you complacent and relaxed in your favours and hospitality. Being in a majority can allow space away from the event and make room for expansive gestures of dialogue. From majority comes security and gracious magnanimity. Majorities tend to see structures that are flawed but fair – talking progresses everything into the future.
Being in a minority demands that you fight for rights and demand responsibility from others; and yet make you dependent on the favours and hospitality of the majority. In dialogue a minority is more guarded and has a sense of being hemmed in and authoritatively directed. Events and specific are all important and the dictating structural flaws only add to the feelings of being both wronged and that wrong being repeated.
Yet with God’s grace a will we may walk together.
