A stunning Taos, NM sunset taken by Chris Townley.
Chris Townley has been a trusted friend, accomplice, colleague, and pastor for over a decade, faithfully engaging in the good, hard work of justice and community building. As Erin confidently affirms, "He’s the only White man I trust." We are honored to have him serve on our Board of Advisors for BLK South. Learn More
If it is not possible to disengage from the political affairs of our country, and I contend it is not because we make political decisions everyday, then what lies ahead for those who seek to embody the way of “doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God?”
When I awoke on the morning following the election, and the results of it were confirmed, my spirit was spiked with a combination of grief and fear. The grief was for people I care about, the fear was for people I care about. However, it was not so much about a fear of what is to come for the marginalized, poor, and oppressed among us under a Trump presidency (although I fear that, too!). Instead, it was a grief and fear directed at the ways America has once again wasted the work and witness of Black women. BLK South co-founder, Erin Dooley (read her post from last week!), and BLK South board member, Cassandra Gould, worked tirelessly this election season, put their lives on the line, and invested their whole selves in an effort to guide people toward wisdom. Adamantly, they put in the work of what I have heard called a radical practice of the everyday. Everyday was, and is, an opportunity to divest oneself from the poison-filled tentacles of White Supremacy.
As a new “everyday” dawned on November 6th I sent Erin a message. I told her she had worked so hard and impacted so many and I was proud to call her my friend and pastor. I told her I am sorry this is the state of our country and so many of the people who call it home. I told her that her heart and hard work are a gift to many but I'm heartbroken that many choose to reject such a spirit of wisdom for the ongoing lie of White Supremacy.
I wanted her to know, as best as I could muster it, that she is faithful and the life she lives wherever her feet touch the ground is a beautiful one, healing many in the community of creation.
I told her I am praying for her, for soul-deep rest, for safety, for love to prevail… someday, in some way.
And now I am telling all of you who set eyes on this reflection: Listen to Black women. And a great place to start is to rally around and support the work of BLK South and their board members, Cassandra Gould and Shabrae Jackson. We must learn together, grow together, and join together in doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. As a White man I have recently been reflecting on these words from Aboriginal activist Lilla Watson:
“If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
In last week’s reflection Erin quoted Rev. Osagyefo Sekou. He said, “One of the myths of the American Empire is that White people are free.” And so I offer this, a mingling of the quotes above in my own words, to all my White siblings:
If you have come here to help those who have their backs against the wall but think yourself free, you are wasting your time. But if you have arrived at a place to join any who suffer because your liberation is bound up in the liberation of the entire community of creation who are being oppressed and marginalized, then welcome. Let’s acknowledge Jesus among us, listen to Black women, and work together.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
What does it mean for you to formulate “a radical practice of the everyday” in the months ahead?
How do you envision a collective of liberation seekers coming together, working for freedom? How will you participate?
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