First of all, let me say that I am thankful to be a part of a Jesus-centered church community that has not been afraid to confront the ugliness that is systemic racism in America and the ways in which those systems need to be challenged and changed. These are tough conversations but, as you know, in families, we need to have tough conversations to grow and to learn to love each other better.
Many of you know, I am not from Oregon, so it was definitely a shock for me to move here, in an election year, and experience what life was like as a black woman in a very white space. I’ve got stories and not all of them are good. BUT, that is not the point of why I wanted the chance to share with you all today as your sister in Christ. I am not speaking to you as the mouthpiece of the black community. I am a member of the Riversgate Community whose opinions are informed by my black existence. So today, I want to talk to you about a way forward.
Based on what I believe about the grace of God, His forgiveness, and our redemption, you do not have to continue to apologize for the things that have been done. I think it IS important to acknowledge and repent of the ways in which anyone participates in implicit or complicit racism.That time has passed and now it’s time to start doing the work. There are many in the black community and in other communities of color that are hopeful that this Black Lives Matter civil rights movement really IS a pivotal point of change for black and brown faces in America. But the other reality is that there are also many who are quite skeptical because we’ve seen this before and we’ve been here before.
A black life is taken, everyone posts their disgust at the event, they place the Black Lives Matters signs in their yards, but then 3 months later their part in that fight has subsided. Please understand that this is all-too-common and all too heartbreaking. I would say I’ve seen this to be particularly true in a place like Portland that lovvvvesss itself a good social justice cause and a reason to protest. Yes, there absolutely are those that stay in the fight for change! But what we need to see now are changes in policy, changes in systems, and most importantly, changes in people’s hearts and minds that cause them to live and act differently. That is where we, the body of Christ come in.
So what can we do (I’ll list a few things that might be helpful to you, your families or those you are in communication with on these issues):
1. Talk about whiteness and examine your own privilege. Talk about this in the context of American history. It’s not enough to just talk about blackness and black issues.
Some of you were alive during the first civil rights movement and did nothing. Some of you had ancestors that owned slaves. That’s just the reality. It’s a luxury to not have to think about these things. But I encourage you to take time to understand how your privilege and the privilege of your family has played itself out over the last 400+ years in this nation. Because when you start to see it and how subtle it can be, you can start to make the changes in the right direction and this is the goal! You can start to dismantle the systems that have kept things unequal.
2. Listen to what your black brothers and sisters are saying AND BELIEVE THEM without attempting to dismiss or disqualify their experiences. (Also, don’t go reaching out to that one black person you know who you don’t regularly interact with. Now is not the time for that. As you are seeing videos or reading posts on social media of people’s stories, pay attention to them). If your circles don’t include diverse perspectives, question and think about why that is and think about how you can change that for your future, but don’t go running to just find new black friends. That’s not appropriate right now.
I got a message this past week from a friend recalling a story of when I helped her move to Idaho some 5 years ago. We stopped in a fast food restaurant in a small town outside of Boise to get lunch. We walked in and everyone in that place stopped and looked at me, while she went on about her business. They continued to stare as I moved through the line, the service I received from the employee was desperately uncomfortable. I requested we not stay to eat in that restaurant and told my friend why. She didn’t believe me then and only now did she acknowledge that that experience was something I perceived as a threat. I’ve got 35 years of these types of stories and I am not the only one. If you say you are listening and wanting to learn, then do just that, nothing more.
3. Do your part to affect lasting and sustained change from your own platform and position
If you are in conversations in your personal or professional circles and someone says something offensive, call them out. Accountability is important. If you manage a team, consider how your company or you yourself might encourage or discourage people of color from working and being successful at your company. If you are a teacher, examine your own assumptions about (in particular) black boys in your classes. If you are a doctor, can you advocate for programs that address health issues more prevalent in black and brown communities.
Whatever you can do, from wherever you are, just make sure it’s a lifestyle and lasting change. Not just lip service. We’ve seen enough of that and we are still dying because of it.
4. Teach your children
I cannot stress this enough. There are some that think their kids are too young to learn about these things. I tell you they are not, because I remember learning about these things when I was young. I had to. I had to have context for the fear I felt at 8 years old when my brother was harassed by the police. As an adult, I saw the way kids comments to my niece about the texture of her hair destroyed her self-confidence at 5 or 6 years old. There are great resources out there that talk about what is appropriate for each age. For instance, making sure your infants see brown faces as they are in those early months of life. Buying books for your kids that have brown faces in them. Or buying them dolls with brown faces as well. Teach them to call out wrong when they see it, no matter who it happens to. Break the cycle.
This is the time to not just profess, but to model the teachings of Jesus and the God we claim to serve. The black community is watching and not far behind us, other communities of color are watching. I came across this Franciscan Blessing written in 1985 and thought it was appropriate for this moment so I want to end with this:
"May God bless you with discontent with easy answers, half-truths, superficial relationships, so that you will live from deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, abuse, and exploitation of people, so that you will work for justice, equality, and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you will reach out your hand to comfort them and to change their pain to joy.
May God bless you with the foolishness to think you can make a difference in this world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done."
God bless you friends.
HERE is a link to a great resource list to get started.
HERE is a link to an infographic for age-appropriate action steps to take with your children (another list can be found HERE)