Repentance & Reparation, Reconciliation & Reproduction
“If repentance requires turning and walking away from the sins of our past, doesn’t it require walking toward something more reparative? SO repentance and reparation are inextricably intertwined, and those who’ve inherited the power and benefits of past wrongs should work to make it right for those who’ve inherited the burdens and oppression of the past.” - Latasha Morrison
So much of racism is discussed as the acts of individual people. Defining racism that way is problematic because it makes it very easy to dismiss oneself from engaging. It must be acknowledged that racism is entrenched in practically every system that affects our way and quality of life. This includes the systems of American Christianity. I see this pattern of side-stepping far too often from some of those who would call themselves my Christian brothers and sisters. And it is hurtful and dismissive. I also see this sidestepping occur through the refusal to look at a larger pattern and the insistence that each potentially racism-fueled event be viewed independently. Again, it is hurtful and dismissive. I’ve written a lot about it this week responding to those who have attempted to respond to current events, abuse of black bodies, with this type of rationalizing and side-stepping. Instead of rewriting those responses, I’m sharing a few excerpts from those exchanges:
The request to consider each event case by case with evidence before acknowledging the hurt and pain of a family speaks to priority, the priority being given to maintaining the status quo. It also reflects a refusal to acknowledge that these individual events are actually part of a documented pattern giving evidence to a flawed system. This is not about bad cops it is about a bad system. This is not about judgement but acknowledgement; acknowledging that there is an entire community of people, your neighbors, calling out that something is wrong with this system, that we are hurting, that we are living in fear. When it is made to be about a case by case assessment that validates the officers actions, it makes it evident that your priority isn’t on your sister telling you that she is hurting and in danger, but in maintaining the very system that is hurting her...that is hurting me. It’s like you have to figure out whether or not I deserved the wound before you’re willing to acknowledge it, let alone treat it; or better yet, preventing it from happening AGAIN, in the first place
Except, it’s not just me...it is an entire community.
So, tell me, what conditions have to be met for someone’s life to have worth? The officer’s actions don’t have to be right OR wrong in order for us to acknowledge that there is something wrong with the system when black lives are repeatedly treated and therefore valued as less than.
I’m not responding for the purpose of debate, I am responding in hopes that you will pause to hear a different perspective instead of pausing to wait for more evidence that my perspective, my feelings, my voice and my worth as a person of color - a black person- is valid
You have both made the very point the post was trying to make. When you lead with “but, the facts” or “but, the looting” before “of course life has more worth” the order of your expression provides the emphasis and implies your priorities. When it is left unsaid, it may also imply that you’re operating under the assumption that all lives matter is a given. And it isn’t; not in our society, nor particularly in our justice system. Jesus led with love and compassion which expresses worth and that opened the door to sharing truth. So, what I’m trying to express is lead with love, lead with compassion. And if someone tells you that you’ve offended them, believe them, apologize and if you’re not sure why they’re offended ask why before doubling down.
You can’t apologize if you refuse to acknowledge the hurt and pain inflicted, and the part you may have played whether knowingly or complicitly. There is no repentance without acknowledgment. And if there is no repentance there is no reparation...there is no repair. Reparation is literally THE by-product of repentance. If you are not doing the work to undo the oppression you ARE NOT repentant...you just feel bad about it. And that is not enough. Just feeling bad about it is sympathy and Jesus modeled empathy that fueled reparation and reconciliation.
This process of reconciliation is not neat and tidy. It is messy. It requires some table flipping. Paraphrasing the story in Matthew 21:12-17:
Jesus enters the temple and sees that the systems in place there are corrupted. So he flips tables, calling out then clearing out the corruption. And when he does that the system is repaired, and the people previously pushed to the margins are restored in relationship with the system (reconciliation) and He heals them (reparations). When those who benefited from the corruption saw this they were upset. Actually, the Greek word used to describe how the corrupters (the priests and scholars) felt means indignant, “feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.”(1) When we feel that indignance rise up. When we feel twinges of defensiveness. Pause...gauge the role you’re playing in the temple at that moment. Are you angry because you’ve been pushed to the margins? Or because you are a witness to corruption/injustice? Or are you indignant because the system that benefited you is being dismantled? If it is the last, I will leave you with the words I shared on yet another post...
To those pushing back on this post, as brothers and sisters in Christ the first thing that can be done is to listen...listen when your neighbors are telling you that there is brokenness. Then lament with us...empathize and feel the brokenness with us.
"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." - Rom 12:15-18 NIV