S1E4 Alex Can’t be an Indian on His Own

Published: Jan. 17, 2021, 1 p.m.

Alex Stayer-Brewington is a member of the Lumbee tribe and a Presbyterian pastor. As well as being Lumbee, Alex is White (Scottish on his mom’s side) and he talks about how being White-passing and living outside the Lumbee community has led to him question how indigenous he really is. Over time, Alex realized that “you can’t really be an Indian on your own,” and has come to connect his identity back to the Lumbee community. As a politically progressive pastor, Alex also shares the questions he has around his religious views, comparing them to those of more conservative pastors'. If there’s a main theme to Alex’s interview, it’s the doubt he carries about his ideas and identity. However, this doesn't mean that Alex doesn’t know who he is or that he's uncertain about being a pastor. Rather, it leaves him open to considering new ideas, to exploring his sense of self and place in the world. Alex’s story shows that doubt doesn’t always equal shakiness or instability; sometimes, doubt is about believing. 

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