Cornerstone Reflections
July 11, 2007 by Edward Gilbreath
Thanks to all of you who inquired about how my trip to the Cornerstone Arts Festival turned out a couple weeks ago—especially Shlomo. I’m sorry that it has taken me so long to do a post. The problem is, I’ve had so many thoughts about the even swirling around in my head that I don’t know where to start. But here’s my best shot.
1. Cornerstone Is Cool. I’ve heard about this event for years. Back in college, I was always jealous of those folks who were able to go. I was always fascinated by Jesus People USA and their radical community of faith. What’s more, I love music, and Cornerstone is brimming with passionate bands and musical artists from a variety of genres. There’s also amazing visual art exhibits, a mini film festival highlighting several unique independent titles, and a superb lineup of workshops and seminars. If you ever get the chance to attend, I’d highly recommend it. But there are a few things you should keep in mind …
2. Cornerstone Is Hot. Literally. The festival takes place at a tree-less campground, surrounded by cornfields in rural Bushnell, Illinois. The summer sun heats up the proceedings, beating down on campers and making it a sweaty, dusty affair—when it isn’t raining.
3. One word (or is it three?): Port-a-Potty. Those of you who have been to a summer festival this year, like the Taste of Chicago in my neck of the woods, are acquainted with the joys of the Port-a-Potty. But 20,000 hot people in the middle of the country relieving themselves in a limited number of plastic out-houses is a tricky—and smelly—proposition.
4. Cornerstone Is (Mostly) White. My three sessions on Reconciliation Blues went well. I shared about the themes from the book and the unique position of being a minority in predominately white Christian settings. Vince Bacote, a theology professor at Wheaton College and an African American, was kind enough to allow me to interview him during my final session. We talked about the journey of a black evangelical and many of the ways that race trips us up in society and the church. One topic that came up during an evening session: Will America ever elect a black president? (That seems to be a hot one this summer, for some reason.) As you know, race is a difficult topic to talk about, especially when you’re one of only a handful of blacks at an event of some 20,000 folks. Mike Hertenstein, one of the festival organizers from JPUSA, and I got into a couple of conversations about the dearth of people of color, particularly African Americans, at the festival. Mike and others have been trying to figure out for years why more blacks do not attend the festival. After all, though most of the musicians are white, the organizers do attempt to include some diversity in the lineup. One popular theory is that, and forgive me if this offends anyone, black folk just don’t get into camping out. I’m curious, what do you all think of that one? An unfair stereotype, or a legitimate point? I must admit, if JPUSA wasn’t in the practice of putting its speakers up at the Days Inn in nearby Macomb, I definitely would not have gone.
5. Cornerstone Is God’s Body. I was blessed to meet lots of incredible men and women who love the Lord. Many of them had dedicated their lives to living out their faith incarnationally in urban and impoverished communities across the U.S. I was moved by their passion and desire to serves others and glorify Jesus. They were young and old, punk and prep, Emergent and traditional. The tatoos, body piercings, and colorful hair worn by many at Cornerstone mark them as outcasts or untouchables in the eyes of some people. I felt a certain kinship with these brothers and sisters who are sometimes marginalized in the body of Christ.
It’s late, and that’s all I’ve got for now. Thanks for enduring my rough rambling. If you have any feedback on that question about why more people of color do not attend the Cornerstone Festival, I (and probably the leaders at JPUSA) would love to read your comments.
Ed,
I have never been to Cornerstone, but you have officially convinced me that I need to! What about the musical styles? Was THAT diverse?
-CB
christopherbennett.blogspot.com
You are correct. Most Blacks don’t like to camp. If the festival was held indoors and near hotels, maybe our attendance would increase. I live in Colorado and I don’t camp (sacreligious words spoken by a native born). And, did Cornerstone do advertising and publicity with AA media? How was it marketed?
Sometimes, more effort has to be made than the typical methods. It makes a difference in the end when you see the crowd getting more diverse.
Chris - Hey there, brother. I have to admit, though there was a sprinkling of hip-hop, blues, and R&B, and a few non-white artists, the bulk of artists were white and the predominate style seemed to be alernative rock, metal, and punk. I’m not suggesting that non-white audiences would not be drawn to some of these genres (Vince Bacote and I had a great chat on the train ride home about all the white rock bands we loved jamming to in our teen and college years), but clearly the overall vibe put across by the festival’s music lineup is one that will appeal primarily to white audiences. But , as I said, they do try to include some diversity. It might be argued that they’d be more emboldened to expand the musical offerings if they saw more diversity in the audiences. It’s a Ctach-22 that many churches and Christian institutions seem caught in.
Denise - Thanks for your important point. I think Cornerstone cand do more in way of marketing the event to non-white crowds. Though they seem to be taking some steps toward their desire to be more diverse (such as inviting Vince and me to speak and bringing in a handful of non-white artists), they can definitely do a lot more. I don’t know what the make u of their planning committee is, but perhaps including more non-white voices in that process might help as well.
As for the camping and outdoor setting, I don’t see anyway around that one. It is what it is.
Ed G.
Ed,
I think your on to something and Denise I’m with you…I live in Colorado, but when I go to the mountains, I’m staying indoors…I’m not messing with no bears in the woods!
tobert
Okay, that port-o-potty observation was just too funny. I like that you have a sense of humor about the little things in life.
have you ever been to International house of prayer in kansas city? we go every year to onething we meaning my husaband and i and our 18yr old(3rd time) we are taking 5 people wtih us this year. its mixed more blacks are going and it is diverse. check out their website at http://www.fotb.com or from my website http://www.amusiciansheart.com. i am black and go to new life providence a transethnic church in va. beach. my husband is on staff as an assistant pastor we have been there 11 years. glad i found your blog. i need a place to get intelligent Godly advice,