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It’s been months since the last post, but I am hoping to get into a rhythm of publishing once a month moving forward. To kick off, I wanted to write about reparations and share the work of the women and men I have learned from recently.
It’s been months since the last post, but I am hoping to get into a rhythm of publishing once a month moving forward. To kick off, I wanted to write about reparations and share the work of the women and men I have learned from recently.
Over the past couple of years, I have been privy to and part
of discussions about racial reconciliation. Before reconciliation can occur,
though, I now know that reparations are required. The words of white people, myself included, mean nothing if not accompanied by actions that repair. The focus of this post,
many of the resources below, and H.R. 40 is reparations for African-Americans. I would be remiss to neglect
mentioning the absolute necessity of doing more to repair the damage done to indigenous
people and communities for centuries. I also realize there will be other groups
people will want to discuss when the topic of reparations arises. Those are
conversations that should take place but not at the expense of or in an attempt
to detail progress in addressing reparations for African-Americans.
To follow the lead of the women of Truth’s Table, I would like to begin
with the example of Jesus Christ outlined in the verses below taken from
Philippians 2 and Colossians 1.
“Do nothing out of
selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important
than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but
also for the interests of others. Adopt
the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the
form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as
a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death —even to
death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name
that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in
heaven and on earth and under the earth — and every tongue will confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:3-11 (CSB)
“For God was pleased
to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile everything
to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace
through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated and hostile in
your minds expressed in your evil actions. But now he has reconciled you by his
physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless
before him.” Colossians 1:19-22 (CSB)
Jesus was not responsible for any of the brokenness around Him. Yet, He
set about fixing it by His life and, ultimately, His resurrection. We also see
that reparation preceded reconciliation. Jesus emptied Himself first. This was
followed by Him reconciling us.
When reparations for African-Americans comes up, one of the first
objections given by some white Christians is, “I am not responsible for past or
present injustices.” I’m glad Jesus didn’t take this approach. Christian, if
you think it is foolish to give up everything, to lay down privileges and “rights,”
in order to repair brokenness for which you are not responsible so that we
may walk in unity to demonstrate that all people have dignity, then you fail to
understand the Gospel. This is precisely what Christ did and
accomplished. Here is a poem for us.
June 21st
Reparations before Reconciliation
Christian
Why
are you
Against
reparations?
I
don't understand
The
disconnect
Between
your
Orthodoxy
and orthopraxy
Minds
much more brilliant than mine
Have
extensively covered this topic
Listen
to the
Truth's Table series
"Reparations NOW"
Truth's Table series
"Reparations NOW"
Episode
one
Roots
this discussion
In
the gospel of Jesus Christ
Let
the words of Ekemini Uwan
Penetrate
your heart
As
she teaches that the reparations
We
are benefiting from
As
Christians
Are
eternal
Participating
in righting
The
wrongs around us
Provides
us an opportunity
To
be obedient in repenting and repairing
Episode
two
Features
Dr. Ana Lucia Araujo
Delivering
global
And
historical
Receipts
Episode
three
Is
U.S. economic receipts
With
Dr. Sandy Darity
Episode
four
Covers
ecclesiastical reparations
With
Rev. Duke Kwon
I
urge you to not move on
In
this conversation
Without
learning from
Every
one of these people
Read
the work of
Ta-Nehisi
Coates
"A
Case for Reparations"
It
can be found on the website
For
The Atlantic publication
Or
in his book We Were Eight Years in Power
If
the experiences of the
Black
men and women
Don't
cause you to feel angry
About
the injustices
In
the housing market
I'm
not sure we
Read
the same piece
The
final formative work
I
would recommend is
The Color of Compromise
In
chapter eleven
Jemar
Tisby records
More
than simple suggestions
For
both the church and state
He
explains the form
Ecclesiastical
reparations
Could
easily take
Do institute and contribute to
A debt forgiveness plan
For black families
Do establish trust funds
For black youth
Do fund church plants
And religious nonprofit organizations
That are led by black men and women
Do partner as Christian churches and schools
To ensure black students can attend
Without having to pay tuition to
Christian colleges and grad schools
Do financially support local public institutes
To guarantee black students have what they need
In order to be educated effectively
If you want to push back
By pridefully disagreeing with me,
Arguing unproductively,
Or defending your pursuit of liberty
While your neighbors suffer
I have neither the time nor the desire
Emulate Jesus
Who gave everything up
Who laid everything down
To love and serve
The people who surrounded Him
No more excuses
Open your wallet,
Unclench your fists,
And go be generous
(Resources are linked below.)
Podcasts (for your listening
pleasure and discomfort)
Truth’s Table- Reparations NOW: Repent and Repair
Recommended Reading
Articles
“The Case for Reparations” by Ta-Nehisi Coates
“The 2020 Democratic Primary Debate over Reparations, Explained” by
P.R. Lockhart
"Honor Native Land: A Guide and Call to Acknowledgement" by the U.S. Dept. of Arts and Culture
Books
The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby
The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism by Edward E. Baptist
Videos to View
Music (that may make you
uncomfortable)
“Facts” by Lecrae
“Ally Anthem” by Micah Bournes
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