Representation is important. It is important because we make judgements, conscious or not, according to the things we see. If we always see Jesus painted as a blonde-haired, white dude with blue eyes, we white Americans are going to unconsciously place him into “our” categories, all the while leaving out the rest of the world. Jesus was a Palestinian Jew. Understanding the Palestinian Jewish culture gives us a deeper understanding of Jesus and the things he said. Having a deeper understanding of Jesus will then lead us to be better followers of Jesus and his good word. Accurate representation is important.
Photo by Scott