I desire open, honest, and nonjudgmental communication from all people and all views and all ideas. The words of my posts are simply my own thoughts on how the church* can fully be operational in Love.
My first post on racism and the church (found here) was written two years ago, and yet it is still relevant, still truth, still a problem. Though I am no longer a part of the church, I have been observing her, watching...waiting...hoping for her to stand up and take on this devil, this time.
Here are a few of my observations on the three camps that have formed within the white church:
"All lives matter" is the acceptable motto of the first camp. Here, its members are intent on proving that the church loves all people. While waving this sign, personally and on social media platforms, endears them to their fellow campers, they are either blatantly ignorant to the troubling implications of this mindset (honestly, in this day and age, ignorance can no longer be an excuse and I am showering some serious grace here), or this is yet another form of passive racism. By insisting that all lives matter, they are refusing to acknowledge the very real issues that POC are, and have been, facing in this country, within the four walls of the church, for centuries.
It is not okay. It has never been okay. For these ones, I implore you to open a book, peruse the internet, watch the many documentaries available. There is a wealth of information begging for you to expand your mindset. Better yet, invite POC into conversations where you open your heart and shut your mouth. Do all lives matter? Of course. But right now, it is abundantly obvious that not all do. Let's work together to make sure that changes.
"Silence" is the deafening motto of the second camp. Here, its members are intent on remaining quiet during yet another tumultuous time in this country, when their voices could be offering support, empathy, and love. Their social media is suspiciously void of any posts pertaining to racism (or has one or two obligatory posts at the beginning and now nothing). Nothing on a black man spending almost 9 agonizing minutes dying right before our faces. Nothing on a black woman gunned down in her own home. Nothing on a young black autistic man whose final words I cannot get through without tears. Nothing. Their silence on important matters tells me that either racism holds no importance for them, or that they choose comfortability over these uncomfortable conversations. Or maybe they really are racist.
It is not okay. It has never been okay. For these ones, I implore you to explore your choice for the truth lying within the root of your silence. Why are you quiet about the sins of racism? How can you further the message of Jesus' love and empathy while avoiding the pitfalls of argumentative discussions? Invite conversations with POC to gain deeper understanding of why your silence is both painful and furthering racism. Let's work together to walk with one another through these difficult subjects.
"Proactive anti-racism" is the progressive motto of the third, and smallest, camp found within the white church. Here, its members are intent on examining their views, opinions, and mindsets, unearthing any hidden wrongs, and making them right. They are working tirelessly to educate others within the church, expanding the truth of the church's involvement in both covert and blatant racism, and advancing the message of an all encompassing love. They are being met with walls of resistance, shouts of denial, and dismissive attitudes, and yet, they push forward. And they do it without ceasing.
For these ones, I thank you for expanding your life, for addressing the elephant of racism in the rooms of the church, for having transparent and real conversations with POC, for being a walking, talking Jesus right here, right now, for working together to make sure this country changes.
Church, this may be your final wake up call. The time is here, the time is now. You can no longer close your eyes to these very real injustices and inequalities plaguing this country and your halls of righteousness. There will be no Unity, no Oneness, until this is addressed and healed. Let us all do our part. Let this be the generation that eradicates racism!
*When I say "church", I mean as a whole entity, not necessarily one denomination or actual building, etc.
other racial topics:
black and white
being multiracial
other 'where the church gets it wrong' topics:
starbucks
loving yourself
us vs them
mental illness
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