Mea culpa. I am guilty. This nation is guilty.
That disgusting news clip of a man, who is old enough to know better, raising his fist and shouting “white power,” shows how many still do not see our collective and personal sin.
God does, and we deserve his wrath. Yet those who follow his commands, know that every person, unique and loved by him, deserves to be treated with dignity and care.
Introducing Anthony Benezet
Such a person was Anthony Benezet (1713-1784), a teacher in 18th century Philadelphia. He and his family were French Huguenots when Louis XIV replaced the Edict of Nance with the Edict of Fontainebleau. That made the Protestant Reformed Church prohibited, and members were to convert to Catholicism. Instead, his family fled to Holland, and then to England. There, Benezet became familiar with the Quakers and eventually joined them when he emigrated to America. He believed their practices were closely aligned with Jesus’ commands.
18th Century Influencer and Activist
Benezet defended the Native Americans, even as the settlers, and later the government, stole their land and tried to bury their culture. He was highly educated for his time, and became a teacher in Philadelphia. Disturbed that girls were given an inferior education, if any at all, he founded one of the first schools for girls in the 13 colonies. He taught there for many years, using kinder classroom methods than the harsh ones in vogue at the time.
Four aspects of Quakerism informed his actions.
- God is in everyone and anyone can understand the Bible.
- Just because your forbears were slaves, does not mean you must be.
- He was against ostentatious wealth.
- He believed in peace and wrote letters to promote peace internationally.
Fighting Slavery and White Supremacy
Most of all, he fought slavery and influenced William Wilberforce with his writings. As if that were not enough, he taught black children reading, writing, arithmetic, and instructed them in morality. He did so in his own home until he raised funds to establish a school with 22 black children enrolled. Wiser than many today, he knew blacks “possessed intellectual powers by no means inferior to any other portion of mankind.”
If you want to dig deeper, my sources for this blog include the Christian History Institute and a few websites. I joined the Christian History Institute because I’m interested in Christian History. You would think it would be full of uplifting spiritual piety, but Christian History includes schisms, murder, power struggles, and battles too. As a member of the Institute, I receive beautifully designed, glossy magazines with articles with photos. Also, a Daily Story arrives every day in my email, and Anthony Benezet by Dan Graves was the topic for June 28. https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine
Other websites: https://www.museeprotestant.org/en/notice/the-period-of-the-revocation-of-the-edict-of-nantes-1661-1700/
This pandemic has highlighted our sins big time. First, the way we treat others, and our historic sins against black people and Native Americans. Secondly, this virus, and others to come, are and will be, a result of the way we treat animals. They live horrid, disease ridden, lives, jammed into cages and fed whatever is cheapest. This so the meat industry can produce, package and sell as much meat as possible for consumption and profit. I thought, when the pandemic forced closure of several meat packing operations, Americans would discover the benefits and great taste of a plant-based diet. Alas, that was not to be.
Finally, we have so polluted our planet that some climatologists believe global warming will take us out within 100 years.[1]
I have no control over CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) or global warming, but I can love all people as Jesus would, and embrace the truth that black lives do matter. I agree that all lives matter, but we owe our black brothers and sisters, as well as Native Americans, so much more because “white power” persecuted them, enslaved them, and tried to crush them.
Mea culpa, Mea culpa, Mea maxima culpa.
[1] The Uninhabitable Earth – Life After Global Warming, David Wallace-Wells © 2019, Tim Dugan Books, New York.
I couldn’t agree more, Sue. I’ve now read so many stories of how black men are confronted by police simply for existing. It is beyond alarming, but especially so because it took this indefensible murder if George Floyd to open my eyes. Through my life I have worked with and enjoyed the company of black people, but apparently did not dig deeply enough to realize the severity of this threat. I am
Like you, I want to do something! I feel I would walk with protestors if it were a different time, as Covid continues to threaten in crowds. I am starting in a very small way: as I do my daily walk in Onondaga Lake Park I am observing an increase in the number of black people doing fitness routines also. I am greeting everyone with a cheery “Hello!” I find most respond back in kind, but I must go further.
I agree, Cathy. We all must step forward and love ferociously. It’s no longer enough to sit back and say “that’s terrible.” I’m sure you WILL make a difference – you always have.
1 Corinthians 13:2
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”
I am not a racist!
I can identify with,and have said, several of the following statements:
I am a Christian and love everyone.
I work with black people.
I have black friends.
I have a black person in my family.
I am color blind.
I am part of the dominant white society. My parents are white and I lived in an all white neighborhood. I attended an all-white school, and only saw white people at the grocery store, during doctor visits and at family gatherings. I am a Christian and attended an all-white church much of my life.
As a nurse, I worked with black nurses and nurse’s aides. Some became close friends. As a Christian, I try to be a good person.
So as you can see, I am not a racist! That is until I read, “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo and “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander. Reading these books gave me an awareness of my biases, lack of awareness and the realization that I knew little about history. It was then that I began to realize how I was hurting others.
Through no fault of my own, I have been blind to the struggle of those people God made African America and Native American.
I believe God specifically made this time and space to help us understand who He is and what He wants us to do.
Part of a BIBLE devotion written by Dr. Tony Evans entitled, “The Role of the Church in Cultural Clashes” says it best: “The church is a community of individuals spiritually linked together with the purpose of reflecting and legislating the values of the kingdom of God. Notice, it’s all about individual pieces coming together to create something larger and more powerful. This is why unity is so important to the body. Jesus didn’t say He would build a black church, a white church, a hispanic church, a Baptist church or a nondenominational church. He simply said He would build His church.”
Let the church rise!
We have been so ignorant of others’ pain. Well said and AMEN!!!!
Sue, your writing is so profound, and the replies are too. I appreciate all the resources listed; I’ve been researching & trying to understand. I am doing a much better job at listening, learning & therefore growing. Last night Hope Church’s Zoom discussion on racism was excellent. The talks will continue & I hope many come to listen & learn. My heart breaks for all that is happening. I pray that we can love each other with the love of Jesus .
“The simple act of listening, caring & loving profoundly changes a life of another. That is the Christian source of inspiration- that each person, regardless of social rank or statue or achievement, can be used mightily to make a difference in someone’s life.” Pastor Doug Hood
Thank you for your comment and insights, Kathy. I also pray the love of Christ goes out through us. I think that’s when the “church will rise.” Listening is so important, as you know in your work and life. I just bought the book “Reclaiming Conversation – The Power of Talk in a Digital Age.” I hope I learn how to listen more. Factions are talking (shouting) at each other, and not listening, or communicating. Pastor Doug Hood is right. One person can make a huge difference, just like Anthony Benezet in his way…and you do in your way.