Christian talked briefly last week at VC20 about #blacklivesmatter
He quoted an article written by Drew Griffin...who is white which is disappointed but that isn't to say he can't still have a great point. It is just sad that as white people our voices are still the loudest even when talking about things like black lives matter. The fact that white opinions and thoughts are being published on the topic only showcases how much more we have to go.
We as white people need to let go of the power, we need to step aside. We all want to post that brilliantly thought provoking guilt educing comment that makes all the white friends (and maybe some black friends too) comment at how powerful our thoughts are.
But the point remains, we will and can never know what it's like to see the world through the lens of a black man in America. We can't, I can't. I don't know and I will never know the fear. The risk of walking out your front door, or even staying in your own home. Is a black man ever safe?
Anyway I feel an obligation to let my middle class white cis male voice be heard in solidarity even though I will never truly experience solidarity.
In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Even though it feels shitty that my white voice is louder in this American culture I have an obligation to use my privileged voice in saying how fucked up our culture is. Because as MLK said my silence condones and supports our culture's current system.
...anyway all of this to say Drew Griffin (a white male) wrote something I'd like to quote here.
Racism is deeply woven into our American culture. It has been since before the nation was even born. It was present when Columbus landed in the Caribbean. It was present when Jamestown was settled by the English. It was present when the colonies declared independence from Europe. It was present when Americans fought one another during the civil war. It was present 100 years later during the Civil rights moment. And it is present today during the black lives matter movement.
Help us God. Help us white people see the seed of hatred planted in each one of us. We need to see it. Because we can't. Help us, Oh God. Help us see what is in each of us. Help us see what we are to the rest of your people. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on me the way I use my power and privilege daily without notice or attempt. Help us white people release control, let go of our power and see all people as Your children.
Tink- Tell The Children
He quoted an article written by Drew Griffin...who is white which is disappointed but that isn't to say he can't still have a great point. It is just sad that as white people our voices are still the loudest even when talking about things like black lives matter. The fact that white opinions and thoughts are being published on the topic only showcases how much more we have to go.
We as white people need to let go of the power, we need to step aside. We all want to post that brilliantly thought provoking guilt educing comment that makes all the white friends (and maybe some black friends too) comment at how powerful our thoughts are.
But the point remains, we will and can never know what it's like to see the world through the lens of a black man in America. We can't, I can't. I don't know and I will never know the fear. The risk of walking out your front door, or even staying in your own home. Is a black man ever safe?
Anyway I feel an obligation to let my middle class white cis male voice be heard in solidarity even though I will never truly experience solidarity.
In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Even though it feels shitty that my white voice is louder in this American culture I have an obligation to use my privileged voice in saying how fucked up our culture is. Because as MLK said my silence condones and supports our culture's current system.
...anyway all of this to say Drew Griffin (a white male) wrote something I'd like to quote here.
We are not called to judge the motives of those who mourn, nor are we empowered to defend ourselves when we are to blame for their pain.
A Christian mourner looks upon the murder of Alton Sterling, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin or Philando Castile and sees that the seed of hatred that cut them down is planted in each of us.
Yes, there may be systemic racism in our law enforcement, but it doesn't begin there: It begins in our homes, in the jokes we tell, the humor we allow, the sins we wink at and ignore. Those winks are weapons in the hands of sin, and they are deadly. The hate we harbor in our hearts gives birth to sin, and when it is fully grown—as we’ve seen this week—sin produces death.
Racism is deeply woven into our American culture. It has been since before the nation was even born. It was present when Columbus landed in the Caribbean. It was present when Jamestown was settled by the English. It was present when the colonies declared independence from Europe. It was present when Americans fought one another during the civil war. It was present 100 years later during the Civil rights moment. And it is present today during the black lives matter movement.
Help us God. Help us white people see the seed of hatred planted in each one of us. We need to see it. Because we can't. Help us, Oh God. Help us see what is in each of us. Help us see what we are to the rest of your people. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on me the way I use my power and privilege daily without notice or attempt. Help us white people release control, let go of our power and see all people as Your children.
Tink- Tell The Children