COVID-19 Lockdown, Day 209

I read an interesting article this week from The Atlantic, discussing why African-American congregants are leaving "White" or multiethnic churches. While some were offended by the criticism of church leaders for those who did not come to church in the earlier months because of COVID-19 fears (especially from those with pre-existing conditions), most respondents left because of issues surrounding the lynching of George Floyd. Because of the fact that this is a major social issue, they were angry that their pastors or at least the church leaders would not make an issue about it. They would just ignore it or decry the looting. Because of how the killing affected nearly every African-American person in some way, they expected their church families to at least check in with them and see how they are doing.  When their churches were silent when silence was not an acceptable answer, they left, feeling betrayed. (https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/10/why-black-parishioners-are-leaving-churches/616588/?fbclid=IwAR2KJE-yFrm63uyllhPG3CFpyxaqueaSkhLJnZHxrnsz5YodUZyt4GIYf6Q)

On the one hand, I sympathize completely. My former church was just as silent. No one accept She-Sits-By-The-Fire really showed any concern. While another friend, who is a former police officer, seemed understanding, we never really talked about it. As for everyone else, either they did not know what to say, or they did not want to risk creating waves. While I understand that, waves are needed for real movement. Without movement, there is no change. Things like this cannot be ignored; they must be discussed.  While White pastors do not need to become freedom fighters, they need to raise consciousness as to what is going on in America. They need to tell them that being Christian is not about an hour a week on Sundays but every day in the week. It's about exposing apathy. After all, as Ben Franklin said, "Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are just as outraged as those who are." 

This brings me to an issue I hear many times when a police officer uses excessive force or lynches a Black man. This issue pertains to George Floyd's criminal history. A few people I know have brought this up, the latter being merely curious. I have noticed how right-wing news sources always dig dirt up about an unarmed man killed by police in similar circumstances. I have heard it about Laquan McDonald, George Brown, Eric Garner, and others. This is nothing but victim blaming. This is essentially saying that a person's history justifies their lynching. Well, that bird will not fly with me! While Laquan McDonald was no freedom fighter, it does not take 16 bullets to back to subdue a perp. Also, it does not take kneeing a man for over 5 minutes of him pleading for his life and crying for his mother to handcuff him and throw him in a police van. It does not take an illegal chokehold either. These three wads of human garbage did these things because they knew that, as long as you are in uniform, "It's safe to murder Negroes." 

Hence, the criminal history of Floyd is irrelevant to the need to protest injustice. It is irrelevant to the need to say "this will not stand." While he was not a model citizen, there is nothing to justify his death. There is nothing to justify a big man putting his weight on his neck until he died--with people watching. We cannot let someone who is supposed to enforce the law disregard the law anymore. This means people protesting and pressuring Congress to address the crisis. It means teaching out children about love and respect. While I personally wish that the death of someone like Floyd would not have been used to start a movement and especially riots, it is folly to wait for the lynching of  a clean, law-abiding brother or sister before demanding justice and reform of police departments. Anytime blood is unjustly spilled, it places a curse on those who remain silent against it. It also casts a pall on all police officers--even the decent ones. 

I have spoken to White Christians; now it is time to talk to Black Christians.

I understand your pain, your anger, and your fear. You know I do--because I share it. Still, while you are upset that your White pastor did not speak about what happened to Floyd, maybe he does not know what to say. Maybe, while he believes that Black lives matter (too), he does not know what words to speak that will comfort you and not make himself seem to support the Black Lives Matter organization. After all, there are things they stand for that the average brother or sister are against. They are anti-Christian, anti-family, and anti-American. Hence, while Black Lives Matter is a good slogan for business (which is why it should be Black Dollars Matter), the organization does not suit our beliefs or our interests, and the snake will appear soon enough. 

Also, too many African Americans get offended when urged to decry the riots and the looting. Get real. In the end of the day, rioting does nothing but hurt Black communities. It brings down property values and keeps away vital businesses. It creates "bitterness in the survivors," and that bitterness will only make people hate us more--to the point of wanting us all dead. Finally, it does nothing for social justice but make things harder. It makes racial profiling even more justifiable when we leave our communities.  Before you know it, the Karen's will have guns and won't even bother calling the police. 

Finally, get your Black behinds back in church where you belong! If your pastor is willing to limit space and create social distancing maneuvers, such as taping off every other pew and discouraging crowds, what are you doing still at home? I am not going to question your faith when your leaders are apathetic, but if safety precautions are being taken, what are you afraid of? I have been going to socially distanced services since June, and I also have pre-existing conditions, so why can't you? Because your local Democrat said so? He wants to not to go to church because he wants you to deny having a soul. Go to church. Don't make me come after you!

--Signing off.