This past week has been tumultuous esepcially for American folks. Heavy sighs all around.
I remember 7 years ago I had a huge uptick of subscribers when I gave away a free anti-racism e-book (which you can still get for signing up to my newsletter). Oddly, the same people who got the e-book soon unsubscribed. They felt the content was too spicy, too political, too prophetic, too honest. I always scratch my head at that. What on earth do you think a newsletter on decolonizing Christianity is going to be about?
But if you thought the past 8 years was something. I’m digging deeper….
In the aftermath following the US Presidential election where Republicans have won by a convincing margin, and are poised to potentially take over the White House, House of Representatives, and Senate, we know half of America is cheering, and the other half groaning or afraid. Conservatives showed up in droves to throw their unbridled support behind a convicted felon and rapist. Within this massive voting block is a segment that has remained steadfast behind Trump, never wavering, never looking astray. White evangelicals, or perhaps it’s more accurate to say evangelicals as a whole since although white folks make up the majority all evangelical traditions are celebrated.
If you’re feeling a bit polarized (in Canada or America) then you’re feeling the right things. There’s also no middle ground. The juxtaposition couldn’t be more stark. On one side there’s tacit support for white supremacy. That’s what it boils down to. Sure there are other incoherent policies, but the Republican/conservative talking points simply revolve around preserving the privileged ‘white’ way of life.
We don’t have enough people listening to Black and Indigenous folks (specifically women) speaking to collective liberation now. Herein lies the crucial distinction.
Conservative interests revolve around retaining white supremacy and its economic privileges coupled with the illusion of rugged individualism. Anything that stands in the way of these two items is considered an attack tp white identity and a serious violation to assumed direction society should go. (Money and power, things never change hey?) Turns out a lot more than just white people want a piece of that pie.
Yet I’m interested in something else. Mostly because I do not have a choice. Black and brown bodies don’t fit the dominant gaze unless we contort ourselves to assimilate for temporary gains. No, I’m for the notion we’re better off moving forward together. That there is enough for all. That our collective liberation is reliant on setting the last among us free first. I’m for loving thy neighbor rather than thinking the neighbor is a danger or an inconvenience. These are critical teachings of Jesus yet, and this is the loud part, white evangelicals have rejected these teachings in full. I don’t know what that makes them anymore, but I for one am DONE placating.
The choice is: You either try your best to follow Jesus and the core teachings centred round the radical ethic of love, or you’re a fraud.
Going forward, although I don’t have all of my proverbial ducks in a row, I’ll be going deeper in naming all of the malformed aspects specific to Christian formation that has produced the massive polarized chasm separating Jesus followers and religious affiliates cosplaying as Jesus followers. Let’s continue to name it as we busy ourselves with more important work: some ‘Christians’ are not Jesus followers.
No amount of “can’t we all just get along”, or “I listen to both sides” is going to cover the truth that the teachings of Jesus, particularly the radical love ethic of the neighbor and the self, are no longer important for many church traditions.
So buckle up. I doubt much changes in terms of content in this newsletter, but I sure as hope won’t be mincing words.
Thanks for letting me ramble, now to this reflection on holding grief.
In this season we need space to grieve. What we don’t need are the people who shy away from grief and want to quickly insert “everything will be OK,” or “just trust in the Lord….”. If that’s you, just be quiet and learn why folks are grieving and afraid….