how a conflict played out in social media

Updated 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Published 3 months ago

“Conflict is something that will always be. It is neither good nor bad, it simply is.” [cf. Sam Chand]

The incident regarding Deadly Viper had set the online world ablaze, and very uncomfortable words of pain festered in the open space [cf. read this summary]. My prayer was that the key leaders at the core of the conflict would resolve it privately, walking through their respective pains together with each other. This direct conversations has since happened offline in private ...

, and an appropriate resolution is in the works. A public statement has been issued. I commend all involved for giving of their time and energy to walk thru this via dolorosa.

There’s already quite a number of thoughtful reflections about this incident posted::

Jonathan Brink, who linked to reflections from Dan Iwao, Todd Thomas, Marian Wang, Edward Gilbreath, Dave Ingland, LT Tom.

Eugene Cho, Charles Lee, David Park, Shaun King, Glennis Shih, Skye Jethani, Rudy Carrasco, Drew Hyun, Ed Cyzewski, Daniel So, Jim Gray, DK Daniel Kim, Kathy Khang, and more…

[update] more from David Swanson, Church Marketing Sucks, Ken Fong, Joel Hamernick, Benson Hines, Scott McClellan, Andrew Lee, Dave Diller, Jessica Pegis, Melody Hanson, Jonathan Tran, Bo Lim, Amy Moffett

[update 11/19] Zondervan Statement Regarding Concerns Voiced About “Deadly Viper: Character Assassins” via @eugenecho’s Zondervan Pulls Deadly Viper from Stores and the Deadly Viper website shut down by authors Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite; Dave Gibbons’ thoughts Zondervan Issues Apology for Publishing ‘Deadly Viper’ (CT Liveblog); open letter response from Eugene Cho, Ken Fong, Helen Lee, Kathy Khang, Soong-Chan Rah, Nikki Toyama-Szeto

I want to offer a few more ideas in debriefing, with which I’d anticipate some people would disagree with. Conflict in the open was a good thing for 3 reasons [cf. The Necessity of Open Disagreement by Stephen Shields] ::

This shows us what conflict resolution can look like. Conflict is not a pretty thing. We’ve all seen how ugly it can get, how destructive it can be, how it can ruin relationships. By being in the open, via social media, we saw how the conflict surfaced and moved towards live offline discussions, apologies, forgiveness, working towards resolution. There is a better way through the conflict. After all, conflict simply is. And I for one am tired of overly-positive spin that’s all too common in evangelical circles; I think the younger generation can smell spin a mile away.

We heard new voices open up their heart and soul. While I did not read every single comment in the initial blog posts, a wide range of voices from new names spoke up, both Asian and non-Asian. It is not easy for anyone to share their pains, particularly Asian Americans, for fear of being misunderstood, misrepresented, or shamed. Asians tend to be a little more (or a lot more) sensitive than non-Asians because of its shame-based culture. Social media empowers anyone and everyone to speak out. This helps us to empathize with the offended much more than signing a petition. (Now, not every Asian American finds this publication offensive, granted.)

We’ve got a long way to go with racial sensitivities in the church. A loooong way. Conflict that arose up over a relatively minor incident, in the whole scheme of things, shows how little experience we collectively have to just start any discussion about faith and race. And, yeah, these issues are complicated and messy. They don’t sell books nor increase conference attendance nor make churches grow rapidly in size. It doesn’t fit neatly in the systematic theology section.

Now a personal confession. I knew about an earlier edition of this book back in September 2007. I did not get a copy of the book. I did not look out for the authors to review their book to find out how the Asian motifs were being used, in case it might come across racially insensitive. I did not bear the burden for my fellow Asians Americans (the sensitive ones, not the insensitive ones). For my part in this neglect, I am sorry. [No if and or buts.]

47 comments on this story

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Showing 36 relevant reactions out of 47.

Daniel Decker 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Wordpress

I just want to add a note about the 10,000+ at Catalyst 2008 who didn’t catch the offensive side of the book. That is a point not many are discussing and is a good point to bring up. Most 30+ year old Americans (boys probably more so than girls) grew up being exposed to some sort of Kung Fu / Martial Arts related influence whether it be via Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Jackie Chan, Karate Kid, dressing ... See all content Hide content

Deadly Viper: Character Assassins | jenniclayville.com 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Wordpress

[...] with their thoughts. You can read some written by Professor Soong-Chan Rah, Eugene Cho, DJ Chuang, Dave Gibbons and Kathy Khang. Then later I was quoted HERE by DJ Chuang… twice. I highly [...]

djchuang 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Twitter

@daveingland my links at http://bit.ly/8kO0Pc

DJ Chuang 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Wordpress

@daveingland my links at http://bit.ly/8kO0Pc

Asian Americans don’t look or think alike « djchuang.com 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Wordpress

[...] recent incident around the Deadly Viper book has stirred quite the confusion, particularly when the reaction from Asian Americans is very mixed. [...]

Ken Fong 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Wordpress

Now that Zondervan has admitted fault and taken concrete steps to remedy the situation (not just pulling the book and related products in present form but appointing Stan Gundry to be CEO over Zondervan to vet and improve the organization and its processes so that this kind of thing will be less likely to happen again) and authors Foster and Wilhite have shut down their DV site, I’m told that ... See all content Hide content

rhetter 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Wordpress

@Randduren, fyi, (via @djchuang blog), http://bit.ly/8kO0Pc

rhetter 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Wordpress

@randyduren, fyi, (via @djchuang blog), http://bit.ly/8kO0Pc

Church via the White Man (a collateral damage issue) | churchrelevance.com 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

[...] Zondervan, Mike, and Jud decided to pull the plug on the whole thing out of respect. DJ Chuang has a great debriefing on the whole Deadly Viper situation. And Eugene Cho speaks responsibly and [...]

Allan White 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

My feelings on the outcome – pulling of the book & site – are mixed. I was really surprised at the depth of offense and feeling when reading some of the comments. This could be a product of my “blind spot”. As a designer & communicator, I missed the potential for offense entirely, perhaps because I’m deeply fond of “kung-fu [pop] culture”. I know, I ... See all content Hide content

Allan White 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

I’m still processing the whole affair. A few quick thoughts:

- I met more Asian American Christians this year than ever: DJ, @charlesTLee, @humanerror (you’re Asian, right? Small avatar…), @onlywon, Francis Chan, and more. I started reading their tweets and blogs, and felt like, “how did I miss these guys”?

- That trend (interesting that it preceded all ... See all content Hide content

djchuang 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Twitter

@michaelmcminn @Rick_Smith: gist of the Deadly Viper incident? summary at http://bit.ly/2ZlaTC & chronology http://bit.ly/xFQ4v

DJ Chuang 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

@michaelmcminn @Rick_Smith: gist of the Deadly Viper incident? summary at http://bit.ly/2ZlaTC & chronology http://bit.ly/xFQ4v

allanwhite 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

RT @djchuang's chronology about Deadly Viper incident at http://bit.ly/xFQ4v

djchuang 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Twitter

@tonysteward see my chronology about Deadly Viper incident at http://bit.ly/xFQ4v

DJ Chuang 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

@tonysteward see my chronology about Deadly Viper incident at http://bit.ly/xFQ4v

Melody Hanson 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

The authors will never pull this book, or change, no matter how offensive it is. The only way to change this particular problem is to boycott the book.

Having worked in a Christian organization I can say that Zondervan will never change unless those unheard groups (Asians, Blacks, females) are at the table of leadership. When will that happen? I’m thinking never.

Also, until ... See all content Hide content

Jess 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

Thank you for linking to my post. I’m the adoptive mother of a daughter from China and I work in publishing. The story intrigued me for those two reasons. Glad to see this conversation out there and hope it results in lasting change.

racial (in)sensitivities & a teachable moment « Exploring College Ministry blog (daily notes about our field) 3 months ago on Wordpress

[...] D. J. Chuang offers links aplenty on this situation, as well as some wisdom on the value of a very public conflict [...]

my last post (i think) on deadly vipers: asian cultural exegesis, grown men crying, and turning the other cheek « eugene cho 3 months ago on Wordpress

[...] pushed back a little on DJ’s blogpost entitled How a Conflict Played out on Social Media about Asians being more sensitive because of our shame based culture. Read the section about an [...]

Dave Ingland 3 months ago on Wordpress

DJ, maybe I am the only one that thinks this, but I really don’t see a reason for an apology. You shouldn’t bear the burden for the Asian-American Christian community just because you are Asian. We have all been desensitized somewhat to issues that affect our culture negatively. Most of us have just accepted it as the norm, and this is one of the big reasons that the insensitivity continues ... See all content Hide content

Eugene 3 months ago on Wordpress

DJ: you are right that we have a strong shame-based aspect in our culture.

there’s good and bad things. one of the bad IMO is that we’re inculturated to keep things inside; not rock the boat; don’t bring attention; don’t dishonor yourself, family, country, etc.

IMO, we’re learning how to better express ourselves; not be passive aggressive; not be circuitous ... See all content Hide content

Kyle Reed 3 months ago on Wordpress

Dj, you are right on and thanks for clearing that up about the review.

It is amazing that 10,000 people missed it, but it is not surprising to me because I would have missed it as well.

I am still working on not calling something gay or calling someone a fag. This is another area that the church continues to struggle with and yet continues to do nothing about what is going on.

You ... See all content Hide content

djchuang 3 months ago on Wordpress

Kyle, thanks for your comments. Actually, I have not reviewed the book and don’t have a copy. I think my 2007 blog post got linked into the “endorsements” page over at deadlyviper.org because I mentioned it as a part of my lunch meetup with Mike Foster.

To add to the surprise, 10,000+ people at Catalyst Conference in Atlanta 2008 didn’t pick up on the racial insensitivities ... See all content Hide content

Kyle Reed 3 months ago on Wordpress

DJ, I great greatly appreciate your apology.

This has been something that continues to run through my mind over and over. Because I read the review you gave the book, I read the comments that people left (”What a clever title” Looks great”). This was pretty disturbing to me, I could not understand how no on had said anything when the book was released two years ago, and the ... See all content Hide content

ed cyzewski 3 months ago on Wordpress

Thanks for the link. I appreciate the round up and thoughts.

Let’s pray that we can either nip this kind of stuff in the bud before it gets to this or that we’ll at least be in a better place to handle racial insensitivity when it crops up again.

steph c 3 months ago on Wordpress

seriously. RT @glennisglitters brilliant thoughts on race, gender & faith: To be a Gracious but Angry AA Christian Woman http://ow.ly/15ZU8I

uberVU - social comments 3 months ago on Wordpress

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by FastChurch: how a conflict played out in social media http://bit.ly/1ckQAW…

Jim Gray 3 months ago on Wordpress

DJ Jazzy Chuang …thanks for the shout…

glennisglitters 3 months ago on Twitter

More brilliant thoughts on race, gender and faith: To be a Gracious but Angry Asian American Christian Woman http://ow.ly/15ZU8I

Glennis Shih 3 months ago on Wordpress

More brilliant thoughts on race, gender and faith: To be a Gracious but Angry Asian American Christian Woman http://ow.ly/15ZU8I

djchuang 3 months ago on Wordpress

Eugene, thanks for your comment. As for the push back, I was grasping for a better word to describe that aspect of our Asian culture; you’re right that shame is not quite the right word to describe why we are more sensitive to how we are portrayed. How would you describe that sensitivity, particularly in light of how even some (a few?) Asian Americans who weren’t so offended by what many ... See all content Hide content

Glennis Shih 3 months ago on Wordpress

Thanks 4 the mention DJ: RT@djchuang how conflict played out in social media -Conflict is something that will always be. http://ow.ly/15ZU8I

Eugene Cho 3 months ago on Wordpress

DJ: thanks for this – particularly your “personal confession.”

So often, Asians tend to think “Am I being to sensitive?” because that’s what we’ve been told so many times.

I do have one thing to push back on: I do not believe that the shame-based aspect of our culture is the reasoning behind the tendency to be more sensitive. In fact, I would ... See all content Hide content

djchuang 3 months ago on Twitter

[djchuang.com] how a conflict played out in social media - “Conflict is something that will always be. It is ... http://ow.ly/15ZU8I

DJ Chuang 3 months ago on Wordpress

[djchuang.com] how a conflict played out in social media – “Conflict is something that will always be. It is … http://ow.ly/15ZU8I

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