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Been
There Done That © 1996 The Reconciler. This is a reprint of an article originally featured in The Reconciler. The Reconciler is published quarterly by URBAN FAMILY Magazine, Jackson, MS. It is made available through this site solely as a research tool and not for purchase. Winter
1996 An
old Negro Spiritual says, "Everybody talking about Heaven ain't
going there." Well, everybody talking about racial reconciliation
today is not doing it. In fact, many African American Christians today
have a "been there, done that" attitude every time the subject
is raised. When asked about racial reconciliation, they quickly say,
"Don't even go there." The
clear but unspoken message from black Christians is, "It's too
painful, too much hassle, and I don't plan to be the sacrificial lamb
for somebody's We Are the World, multicultural, diversity, African
American celebration week, quick-fix project." These
days, white Christians getting inspired to do reconciliation often
wonder, "How come black folks aren't showing up?" I believe
there are four main reasons why many African American Christians don't
get excited about racial reconciliation today. And while there are no
excuses for any Christian, black or white, to ignore God's call to
reconciliation, there are real obstacles. If true, biblical
reconciliation is going to happen, both Blacks and Whites are going to
have to understand these obstacles and work to overcome them. REASON
#1
Although there is much talk
about diversity, multiculturalism and racial reconciliation, actual
understanding between the races is at an all
time low. Polarized views
of Blacks and Whites about the O.J. Simpson verdict were the latest and
clearest symbol of a growing antagonism between the races. African
Americans look out at a society that seems resigned to seeing twice as
many black males end up in prison (800,000) than enrolled in college. To
them, it is no coincidence that while the prison industry explodes,
affirmative action, which most Blacks believe has helped many reach the
middle class while hindering very few Whites, is being rolled back. The
vast majority of black Christians who identify themselves as Democrats
watch as millions of white Christian activists drive their Republican
bandwagon head‑on against homosexuality and abortion, but jump
into reverse when it comes to fighting poverty or racism. All
of this appears as solid proof that the white community—including
white Christians—really does not care about the plight of the black
community. White Americans look like a single sea of unfriendly faces
who would prefer that Blacks were not around. Many have even concluded
that a truly reconciled REASON
#2
Racial reconciliation sounds
a lot like the failed integration of the 60’s. For too many
African American Christians over age 40, racial reconciliation brings to
mind the worst aspects of integration. Under integration, African
Americans were required to give up too much of what is rich and
beautiful about their own African-American culture, while Whites did not
give up anything. Many
Blacks were taught that getting the right education, speaking properly,
and mastering all aspects of white American culture would make them more
accepted by Whites. They "Europeanized" themselves only to
discover a painful reality. They
could change from a super charismatic Pentecostal to a more sedate
Presbyterian; from Negro spirituals to Euro American religious anthems;
from soul food to artichokes, quiche and asparagus; from Ray Charles and
Aretha Franklin to Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand; and even from an
Afro to the straight look hair style. But in the end they were no more
socially acceptable to white Americans, and were left alienated from
many in the African American community. Blacks have grown tired of
always being the ones who have to do the changing in order to make
peace, and even then, meeting opposition. REASON
#3
Blacks fear losing the last
truly African American institution—their churches. The black
Church is one of the few institutions totally owned and controlled by
African Americans. An estimated 65,000 churches, reaching 16 million
people each week, are some of the few places African Americans can
witness strong and dynamic black leadership at all levels, build social
and leadership skills, advance their political and public policy
interests, improve their communities, and reach inner-city youth and
those needing financial help to attend college. At the same time, like
nowhere else, they receive spiritual encouragement for the struggles of
life. Indeed, the Church is our last and most important refuge of
empowerment. In
the face of the serious moral crisis of black family break down, drugs,
and crime, “reconciliation” seems like a strange diversion of
precious energy and resources to a cause with little chance of success. Surely
reconciliation is a higher calling than separation, but not if that
definition of reconciliation sacrifices the empowerment of African
Americans. In the name of integration, Blacks lost many of the
institutions that addressed their needs: businesses, self-help
organizations, and schools. Can they trust the new form of
"reconciliation" to address their needs and give room for
black leadership? Past experience answers a resounding "NO." REASON
#4 There
is as much racial separation inside as outside the church.
The black Church that we know today is a result of racism. The
phenomenon of Christian racial separation was initiated by Whites during
slavery, and continued after slavery when white religious bodies
excluded African Americans or, with a few exceptions treated them as
second class members. Today, even with the end of "Jim Crow"
segregation, and with no legal barriers to working, living, worshipping,
or playing together, African Americans and Whites operate in two almost
totally and voluntarily separate worlds. It
is as though we worship two different Gods one black and one white, in
totally separate worship environments. While Blacks feel they tried the
racial harmony game, Whites have not demonstrated a willingness to come
onto Blacks' turf. We rarely get to know one another in our family and
social settings. Only a handful of the more than 300,000 white American
ministers can count a friend among the 65,000 African American
ministers. Truly integrated churches, with different races sharing the
leadership, worshipping, singing, studying God's Word and praying
together, are still a rarity. In
addition, many white Christians believe that a lack of personal
prejudice is sufficient for reconciliation. They are unwilling or
unmotivated to join with their black brothers and sisters in the fight
against institutionalized racism. By remaining silent, they allow
injustices in the social, political, economic and criminal justice
realms in America to continue. DESPITE
THE OBSTACLES, THERE, IS A NEW BREED OF CHRIST-CENTERED
RECONCILERS. It is tempting for Blacks to turn these sentiments into
an obstacle course for Whites to pass through before joining them on the
road to reconciliation. But understanding why we are not excited about
reconciliation should not become the same as excusing our lack of
involvement. Despite
the obstacles, there is a new breed of African American reconcilers who
have not forgotten that God doesn't say "Obey me, but only if white
folks change first." In fact, God's word demands much more. He
says, "If you love me, then keep my commandments." These
African American reconcilers are more Christ-centered than Christian.
They understand that reconciliation begins with sinful men and women
being brought into right relationship with God, and then moves to
reconciliation with one another. They reject integration based on the
world's standards, but embrace biblical reconciliation based on the Word
of God. They recognize the importance of partnering not only with
Whites, but also with Latino and Asian believers to build up the body of
Christ. This
new breed of Christ-centered African American reconcilers includes men
like the late John Staggers, Samuel Hines and Tom Skinner. It includes
men like Dr. E. V. Hill, John and Spencer Perkins, In
addition to this new breed of African American reconcilers, there is a
growing new breed of white followers of Jesus Christ. They are
partnering with African American brothers and sisters, building covenant
relationships, living and working together in urban communities. They
include men and women like Wayne Gordon and Glen Kehrein of Chicago;
Chris Rice and Lee Paris of Jackson, MS; Patrick Morley of Orlando and
Art Erickson of Minneapolis, MN; Bill McCartney of Promise Keepers;
Louis and Colleen Evans and ex-Klansman Tom Tarrants of Washington, DC,
Dee Dee Rivers of Annapolis, MD; and Rosemary Trible, my white,
politically conservative, southern Republican covenant sister and
friend. These
sisters and brothers and many others around the country understand that
many white Christians have fallen short and many black Christians have a
"been there, done that" attitude toward racial reconciliation.
However, biblical reconciliation can begin between separated people who
are willing to repent and practice true community. |
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