Why #BlackLivesMatter To Me
Right now my roommate is at Urbana, the missions conference hosted by InterVarsity USA in St Louis. He has been tweeting and posting on Facebook about lessons he's been learning, and one of them was in regards to the Black Lives Matter, or BLM, movement. You can see the stir on social media he has caused because of it here.
So what's the big deal about BLM and why is it important? Shouldn't we acknowledge the plight of other ethnic groups and that "All Lives Matter?" Aren't we just making race relations worst by acknowledging such movements? Even more, how can I support such a movement when people have committed heinous crimes in the name of BLM?
These are questions that have gone through my mind since BLM publically became recognized in 2014 after the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. I must confess that I initially did not understand the BLM movement or why African-Americans were being so vocal about their plight. Because I did not understand, and being a minority myself, I jumped on the "All Lives Matter" train with the understanding that there are more people who experience pain, suffering, and marginalization besides African-Americans. I maintained this opinion until this October when I met with a number of African-American community leaders in Fresno for one of my seminary classes...and oh man...did God turn my world upside down in regards to BLM. Here were my thoughts after processing what I had learned that day:
If I take anything away from today, I take away this one thing: Black lives do matter. I remember when the “Black lives matter” movement first started I was so disenchanted with it and did not understand why African-Americans were so vocal about their plight when so many other races have been marginalized within the United States. God began shifting my heart and attitude towards the movement though and today was that final culmination since, for the first time, I understand the importance and significance of the movement. Though Chinese-Americans have been oppressed in certain ways throughout history, within the last couple of decades my people have somewhat made their way into the culture of the privileged and often get to enjoy that privilege and the power which comes along with it. I think that’s why I had such an easy time growing up in white culture; “Oh…you’re Chinese? You must be smart and intelligent. You got the highest grade on the test? You definitely are smart. We’ll accept you into this social sphere.” I greatly appreciate the insights which Pastor B.T. Lewis and Councilman Baines provided into what fueled the movement (such as the exposure of existence of racism in society) and how I, a Chinese-American, essentially oppressed them and the issue they’re trying to expose by jumping on the “All Lives Matter” train.
So how does my Christian faith inform how I respond to BLM? I do believe that all lives matter to God, whether it be African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latino-Americans, people in the LGBT community, people in sex-trafficking, etc. Because all lives matter to God, then it is my duty to understand how God is using the BLM movement to reconcile people according to his will and to restore shalom on earth. It is my duty to listen to my Black brothers and sisters, to hear their stories, and to help name who they are in Christ and to unname the ways they have been identified by culture. My faith also informs me that racism is a power/principality--a power/principality we will continuing battling until the consummation the kingdom of God on earth. Racism doesn't disappear, racism doesn't "get better" or "get worst," it just exists. If anything, racism can be covered up or disguised for a time-being...but powers and principalities always resurface. The BLM movement is exposing this truth and that racism exists as long as people believe one race is superior to another. Yes, I do acknowledge that people have used the BLM movement as an excuse to commit heinous crimes (such as murdering police officers) or break social order (such as looting and violent rioting)... With what I know now though I am unable and unwilling to identify the BLM with these happenings because, let's face it, many social and cultural movements have been used to justify bad things--even if the movement does not necessarily condone that.If I am not going to "support" BLM because of "unsavory characters and actions," then I probably shouldn't be a Christian anymore since medieval Christians used the name of Jesus to murder thousands of people during the Crusades. Just as medieval Christians do not represent what Christianity is truly about, the people we see on the news do not fully represent what BLM is about. As a follower of Christ, I must represent Jesus in the way I best understand him. With that said, my understanding of Jesus informs me that Jesus would say #blacklivesmatter because he identifies and walks with all who experience marginalization and oppression.
I can't convince you to "support" BLM nor is it my position, but if you have any reservations about BLM I do encourage you to explore why it is significant to the Black community. I encourage you to listen to their stories and to hear what they have to say. I encourage you to consider how Jesus would have reacted in a context like ours today. I also encourage you to not be discouraged by BLM or to be "named" or feel villainized by it, but instead seek to engage in conversation and to understand what is really going on. Lastly I encourage you to join me in being an agent of shalom here on earth and to reflect the image of Christ to everyone around you by naming people into freedom and their God-given identities.
*Thanks to an old friend of mine, I was reminded of how ill-informed and out-of-context the previous highlighted statement is. It was not my intention to generalize all medieval Christians as murderers during the Crusades since the Crusades is a complex era for Church history. Nevertheless, even with a full understanding of the Crusades, I still believe the actions of the Crusades is a dark mark in Church history and does not convey the love and character which Jesus calls us to. Nevertheless, just as it is ridiculous for me to generalize all medieval Christians who participated in the Crusades as murderers, I think we need to tread lightly when we question the validity of BLM because the media highlights people who use more violent methods to advocate the movement.*
So what's the big deal about BLM and why is it important? Shouldn't we acknowledge the plight of other ethnic groups and that "All Lives Matter?" Aren't we just making race relations worst by acknowledging such movements? Even more, how can I support such a movement when people have committed heinous crimes in the name of BLM?
These are questions that have gone through my mind since BLM publically became recognized in 2014 after the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. I must confess that I initially did not understand the BLM movement or why African-Americans were being so vocal about their plight. Because I did not understand, and being a minority myself, I jumped on the "All Lives Matter" train with the understanding that there are more people who experience pain, suffering, and marginalization besides African-Americans. I maintained this opinion until this October when I met with a number of African-American community leaders in Fresno for one of my seminary classes...and oh man...did God turn my world upside down in regards to BLM. Here were my thoughts after processing what I had learned that day:
If I take anything away from today, I take away this one thing: Black lives do matter. I remember when the “Black lives matter” movement first started I was so disenchanted with it and did not understand why African-Americans were so vocal about their plight when so many other races have been marginalized within the United States. God began shifting my heart and attitude towards the movement though and today was that final culmination since, for the first time, I understand the importance and significance of the movement. Though Chinese-Americans have been oppressed in certain ways throughout history, within the last couple of decades my people have somewhat made their way into the culture of the privileged and often get to enjoy that privilege and the power which comes along with it. I think that’s why I had such an easy time growing up in white culture; “Oh…you’re Chinese? You must be smart and intelligent. You got the highest grade on the test? You definitely are smart. We’ll accept you into this social sphere.” I greatly appreciate the insights which Pastor B.T. Lewis and Councilman Baines provided into what fueled the movement (such as the exposure of existence of racism in society) and how I, a Chinese-American, essentially oppressed them and the issue they’re trying to expose by jumping on the “All Lives Matter” train.
So how does my Christian faith inform how I respond to BLM? I do believe that all lives matter to God, whether it be African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latino-Americans, people in the LGBT community, people in sex-trafficking, etc. Because all lives matter to God, then it is my duty to understand how God is using the BLM movement to reconcile people according to his will and to restore shalom on earth. It is my duty to listen to my Black brothers and sisters, to hear their stories, and to help name who they are in Christ and to unname the ways they have been identified by culture. My faith also informs me that racism is a power/principality--a power/principality we will continuing battling until the consummation the kingdom of God on earth. Racism doesn't disappear, racism doesn't "get better" or "get worst," it just exists. If anything, racism can be covered up or disguised for a time-being...but powers and principalities always resurface. The BLM movement is exposing this truth and that racism exists as long as people believe one race is superior to another. Yes, I do acknowledge that people have used the BLM movement as an excuse to commit heinous crimes (such as murdering police officers) or break social order (such as looting and violent rioting)... With what I know now though I am unable and unwilling to identify the BLM with these happenings because, let's face it, many social and cultural movements have been used to justify bad things--even if the movement does not necessarily condone that.
I can't convince you to "support" BLM nor is it my position, but if you have any reservations about BLM I do encourage you to explore why it is significant to the Black community. I encourage you to listen to their stories and to hear what they have to say. I encourage you to consider how Jesus would have reacted in a context like ours today. I also encourage you to not be discouraged by BLM or to be "named" or feel villainized by it, but instead seek to engage in conversation and to understand what is really going on. Lastly I encourage you to join me in being an agent of shalom here on earth and to reflect the image of Christ to everyone around you by naming people into freedom and their God-given identities.
*Thanks to an old friend of mine, I was reminded of how ill-informed and out-of-context the previous highlighted statement is. It was not my intention to generalize all medieval Christians as murderers during the Crusades since the Crusades is a complex era for Church history. Nevertheless, even with a full understanding of the Crusades, I still believe the actions of the Crusades is a dark mark in Church history and does not convey the love and character which Jesus calls us to. Nevertheless, just as it is ridiculous for me to generalize all medieval Christians who participated in the Crusades as murderers, I think we need to tread lightly when we question the validity of BLM because the media highlights people who use more violent methods to advocate the movement.*
I love the Facebook post-er dearly but like it or not, the now-infamous post carries with it the inference that "we" can't possibly value all lives because "we" don't value black lives. The hashtags make all too clear who the "we" is. I'm white. I'm a member of the church local and universal. I personally don't know anyone--not one single solitary person including myself--white, Chinese, black, Mexican, whatever--who doesn't value all lives. I don't hang around with people like that. Putting this into words, however, apparently makes me an ignorant racist. Which is what I hold against BLM. Not their blatant association with unsavory characters, actions, events, chants, etc. I resent being sat down and lectured about what a micro-aggressor I am and how I'll never "get it" until...well we're not really sure when... but it will undoubtedly entail some form of painful brow-beating and forcible re-education. Barack Obama was elected by white people who expected and hoped that his presidency would finally take us a step forward. We've had a black surgeon general, Secretaries of State, Supreme Court justices, attorneys general-- many of these appointed by the notoriously evil white President George Bush. Not to mention myriad black senators and congress people. The reins of power have been firmly in the hands of the "pen-and-phone president" for seven years now and yet BLM wants us all to pretend that black people are powerless??? Stop making white people feel as though they are to simply accept that they are evil because they're white and I guarantee there will be a much more receptive audience. As it is this is one white guy--speaking for a whole bunch of others who are afraid to say so--who is weary of the constant drum beat and just wants to be free of the never- ending back-handing.
ReplyDeleteLet's say that my family is sitting down to dinner. We all have plate-fulls of delicious pizza. But right before we dig in, my daughter, scallywag that she is, takes my son's pizza right off of his plate.
Delete"Hey!" my son exclaims. "I should get my fair share!"
"Ah-ah-ah!" I tut, wagging my finger at my son. "We ALL should get our fair share!" Having enlightened my son as to the universality of his sentiment, I smile and turn back to my pizza.
Did I...correct the problem? No. Did I simply ignore the problem? No. What I did was worse than that. What I did was simultaneously obscure the problem, shift the focus onto an undisputed area, AND belittle and shame my son for raising the problem. And happily enough, I did it in a way that made ME seem really smart and enlightened! Oh happy day!
At absolute BEST, your comment here is merely ignorant. At worst, it's smug and arrogant. Here's what you're missing:
Black Lives Matter has never been about robbing other people of their worth - just like in my illustration, where my son didn't imply that everyone else should not get their fair share. BLM has sought to draw attention to the fact that, very often, Black Lives do NOT seem to matter. And if you really can't see that, or if you deny that it's a problem, then I really don't know what to tell you.
And this is one white guy speaking for a whole bunch of others, who are tired of people feeling victimized by a hashtag that has nothing to do with them, and everything to do with an unfair system that's been in place for hundreds of years.
So it's not about equality then--it's about redirecting blame, taking revenge, and exacting a pound of flesh. Okay-- now we're clear. Because if black lives don't matter in a place like Baltimore where there is a black mayor, a black police chief, and three of six Ferguson City Council people are black-- then where does the responsibility lie for perpetuating "...an unfair system that's been in place for hundreds of years."??? Certainly not with ignorant, smug, arrogant white people such as myself. In point of fact the voters who live there and put these very leaders in place need to take a hard look in the mirror and accept the blame that is solidly and singularly theirs. "Black lives matter" unless we're talking about accepting responsibility for the leadership put in place by the very people who live there.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I haven't used any disparaging comments about your opinions here, so I hope you can refrain from doing so any further and keep the discourse civil.
I fail to see how you've in any way responded to my argument. It is about equality: Something your initial comment failed to grasp. You began by raising an enormous amount of straw men that amounted to "BLM means that I'm evil for being white." If that's all you've got, I'll see myself out.
DeletePS: You wanna keep the discourse civil? How about you start by properly understanding arguments instead of reducing BLM to "making white people feel as though they are to simply accept that they are evil because they're white"? That's what Josh has done, by attempting to explore what BLM means to the people on the other side of it. But you're content to make it about you.
Also, I find it absolutely hilarious that you're so concerned with maintaining civility when your own motives are called into question, yet you have no problem at all with saying that black people who use "Black Lives Matter" are simultaneously 1) calling all individual white people evil, 2) redirecting blame, and 3) trying to take revenge and getting their "pound of flesh."
DeleteOne might say that your claim to civility ended with that enormous blanket statement, as you refused to even attempt to see things from the other point of view.
When I was a child, and someone told me that something I had done or said had hurt them, I instinctively denied it. Now that I'm an adult, I hope I can do a little more than that. If you're so concerned with your brothers and sisters in the Church try listening to those who are using BLM, and try to understand why.