Why the Church is still a Prisoner of White Supremacy...
The last time I said something like this, a fight almost broke out…
At a Church event!!
No lie…
A few years ago, I was at a New Community gathering at Kanuga…
As part of the gathering, there was a break out session for each ethnic group. It was time to discuss the issues pertinent and particular to your specific ethnic group, as pertains the Episcopal Church.
I don’t spend too much time at these events…
Not because I dislike them, per se…
I enjoy connecting with brothers and sisters throughout the Church.
I just don’t agree with the angle of these events…
That’s part of what got me “in trouble,” and compelled an elder to throw off his coat and jump out his seat in disgust – ready for a fight.
I didn’t know he’d be so offended…
Well…keeping it really real: I didn’t think he’d be offended at all. I didn’t think I had said anything offensive. But apparently I had desecrated one of the Black Episcopal Sacred Cows (I give another reflection on this event).
We were in a big group discussion. Had to be 40-50 of us, sitting in a circle. And the moderator was asking questions to generate conversation.
I don’t remember the exact question. But it was something along the lines of, what needs to happen for the Black presence in the Episcopal Church to be valued.
So…I’m a Garveyite at heart…
That’s the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey…founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League. An Anglican Christian from Jamaica. One of his members, Bishop George Alexander McGuire was a former Episcopal priest and founder of the African Orthodox Church.
As a Garveyite, I believe the key to equality is a strong Black identity that commands respect.
As we shared ideas, I noticed a common thread: we need someone (or some entity) at the table, to advocate on our behalf. So, when my turn to speak about what I thought needed to happen for the Black presence within the Church to be valued, I said:
UBE needs to be revisioned so it becomes relevant again…
That’s what struck a nerve…
I take offense to that, now…
As he jumped out his chair and ripped off his coat…
People don’t want to hear that, but it’s true…
The Union of Black Episcopalians is largely ineffective
It needs to be effective…
It used to be effective…very effective.
Having been mentored by a few past presidents of the Union, I’m quite aware of its contributions of the past and it’s potential value for the future. Yet, as with most Black Organizations, after the golden years of Black Activism the Union of Black Episcopalians has become a shell of its former self.
For quite some time now, it’s been irrelevant.
It’s nice to have…
It’s nice to have a space where we can get together as Black folk and reminisce about the good old days…or, learn that oral history from our elders.
It’s nice to have a space where we can shoot the shit as Black people in the Church.
I get it: it’s one of the reasons I still like to get together with my Frat brothers…
And yes – there’s still work being done…I’m sure. Just like there’s still work being done by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
There’s still scholarships being given out…
Community events are still being organized…
People are still being honored.
But UBE isn’t a force within the Church that must be listened to
How do I say that?
Well…can you name a Chapter of UBE that cannot be ignored? Where the Bishop of the Diocese has to listen to that Chapter President?
I know there are some Bishops that entertain the opinions of UBE out of courtesy…out of respect from some luminary icon of the Church who fought the Civil Rights struggles of that community as has a commanding presence.
Some will come to a UBE meeting so that Negroes don’t get upset…
But how many Bishops and Dioceses and Church leaders listen to UBE because it would be detrimental to their political position if they did not do what UBE wanted done?
We only have as much authority in the Church as White power allows…
The authority of UBE and of most Black leadership currently active within the Church cannot function without the say-so of White leadership. And so, what we see in the larger society is mirrored in the Church…
When it comes to issues of race and reconciliation…
…Black leaders can only go as far as White power wants them to go.
So when Nigger-Gate happens, and White folk take liberty using the “n-word,” there is no public statement from UBE…
They have no public position on the issue…
Won’t even respond when you question them about the issue…
We have no one who White power must listen to…
No one who can speak truth to power and make power submit to Truth, Who is God…
No person or entity with the political capital and authority to lead the Church into the larger opportunity for healing…
Only silence…
Tacitly allowing White power to shape the narrative on how we should feel about racial offenses within the Church…especially those offenses inflicted by those in positions of power and authority.
Our approach as Black Episcopalians clearly isn’t working…
The approach being employed by UBE and much of Black leadership in the Church is either not capable of or not interested in protecting our interests and asserting ourselves in ways that can effectively shape the Church towards true reconciliation and a sharing of power.
When we truly realize that…and what that means for the future efficacy of the Church, we have no choice but find another way…
