A Different Kind of Street Evangelism: My First Protest Video

       With the current focus on “difficult topics” (gender, race, environmentalism, etc.) in our church’s pulpit, I thought it would be a good time to share my first protest video. Last week I finally finished editing my video of a protest that took place in front of Tiffany & Co. in San Francisco.

       This demonstration, which took place in October 2006, speaks out against the diamond industry that exploits African miners/workers who barely make about 30 cents per day while millions of people in wealthier parts of the world enjoy the fruits of their hard labor. The recently released movie, Blood Diamond (starring Leonardo DiCapprio), highlights some of the bloodshed and violence that surrounds the diamond industry. 

       The protest was organized by my co-worker, Ricky (the main speaker in the video), who belongs to the African People’s Socialist Party. I’m neither African nor a Socialist, but I tagged along with my digital camcorder to learn more about the issue and, frankly, to see what my co-worker was up to outside of the work environment. I don’t know if I agree with all the tenets of my coworker’s political views, and I certainly don’t share his religious views (he despises the church), but I sure admired his courage, passion, and conviction.

       As a Christian, I found it strangely at home among a bunch of people whose passion for social justice and righteousness strike at the heart of biblical conscience. There was something Jesus-esque (to borrow Bruce’s term) about my atheist friend whose concern for the well-being of an oppressed people drove him to the streets to “preach” against decadence at the expense of the poor. If only more Christian street evangelists would do the same instead of just preaching “hellfire and damnation,” I’d join my fellow Christians out in the streets as well. But until then, I’d rather go out to the streets with my Socialist friends.

       Hope you enjoy the video.

Comments

[Derrick Weston]

Really well done! I've been speaking with one of my profs. on the ability for film to carry to a prophetic voice. The prophets intentionally spoke in vivid images to both capture the imagination and to highlight certain realities. Thanks for your prophetic vision.

[Reyes-Chow]

dude, you are gifted! well done! the imagery and message were powerful.

[Phil]

thanks for the encouraging feedback, guys. it is always risky to put your ideas/work into the public eye.