Learning Racial Justice as a Young Filipino Leader in MFSA
By Camille Bianca Manangan, MFSA Organizing Associate
As a young Filipino leader trying to engage in racial justice work within the church and the society, I have come to realize that understanding racism requires more than just good intentions; it requires humility, accountability, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths within the organizations we are part of.
My ongoing experience with MFSA has been an active learning process, revealing ways the organization tries to address racial justice and the ways it still struggles with systemic white dominance. This journey is teaching me to understand how real racial justice works in the church and in society by dismantling structures that prioritize white comfort and moving beyond so many symbolic actions toward real and authentic accountability to People of Color.
One of the first things that struck me in the MFSA racial audit was how “MFSA prioritizes white comfort, focusing on white saviorism and being the good white ones.” This reminded me that even in spaces that consider themselves very progressive, it is still easy for white leaders to center themselves at all things instead of those most affected by sufferings and oppressions. The audit explains how “actions previously taken by MFSA toward anti-racist awareness and potential changes show unawareness of continuous patterns of privilege and paternalism.” Reading this made me reflect on how often I might assume I know what is best for others, and how important it is to pause, listen, and make space for the voices of People of Color.
The audit also pointed out that MFSA sometimes deflects responsibility by comparing itself to the United Methodist Church. It says, “MFSA lets itself off the hook for our own failures and denies our responsibility to change our white dominant culture by comparing ourselves with The United Methodist Church.” I understood this as a common trap: it feels easier to measure ourselves against others rather than facing our own shortcomings. I have learned that doing racial justice work means looking inward, even when it is uncomfortable, and asking how we can do better instead of focusing on how we are “better than others.”
I have also realized that the structure and culture of MFSA somehow make real change difficult. The audit highlights that “MFSA’s organizational structure and cultural norms are white-centered, which prevents it from recognizing and confronting racism.” Policies are not always clear, decision-making often depends on long-term white leaders, and new People of Color leaders are sometimes integrated into the existing culture instead of reshaping it. This has taught me that racial justice is not just about individual actions; it also requires challenging the systems, rules, and informal norms that give power to certain groups.
Another challenge is the scarcity mindset within the organization. The audit explains that this mindset “draws attention away from advocacy for racial justice and toward practical measures that center organizational preservation and limit its sense of what is possible.” I now see how fear of losing resources, donors, or stability can slow action and make it harder to prioritize the communities that need support the most. This reminded me that true justice work often requires risk-taking and courage, even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain.
Finally, the audit emphasizes the danger of self-righteousness, saying that MFSA members sometimes operate out of “self-righteousness which results in feeling good about themselves without needing to change, take action, and/or be in an accountable relationship with people of color and people of color communities.” This has been the hardest lesson for me: good intentions are not enough. I need to actively reflect, listen, and engage in accountability if I want to support real change. Tokenizing People of Color or relying on symbolic actions is not enough; relationships and justice require sustained effort and commitment.
Being part of MFSA has taught me that racial justice in the church and society is not simple or straightforward. It requires acknowledging how power, culture, and structures prioritize white comfort, and it demands consistent action that centers People of Color. As a young Filipino leader, I am learning that my role is not to “save” anyone but to participate in a movement that listens, reflects, and works alongside others for real change. Ultimately, I have realized that dismantling white dominance and building real and authentic accountability are essential for meaningful racial justice work, and this begins with learning, humility, and active engagement with the communities that are most affected– The People of Color.
Camille Bianca Sumera Manangan (she/her/hers) is a dedicated leader in faith, justice, and advocacy. She served as an intern with the General Board of Church and Society in 2018 and is currently a board member of the General Commission on Archives and History’s Center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Legal Management from the University of the East – Manila. She served as a Global Mission Fellow in the United Kingdom from 2022-2024. Camille is now continuing her theological studies at Drew Theological School in New Jersey.