As is the usual case, racism is viewed as personal, not systemic. Black men within these scenarios or more utilities for their objectives. Best to stay away from PK org and go with authentic relationships with White brothers and others.
I remember being one of a relatively few number of African Americans present at a Promise Keepers event, where the emphasis was racial reconciliation. The white guys were told that they needed to apologize to the black guys as representative of historic sins and mistreatment. While they got the historical part right, the solution was wrongheaded. A bunch of white guys in my section of a football stadium, whom I did not know, descended on me because I was black to offer their apologies, to ask my forgiveness and to get a “redemptive” hug. Of course I complied, even against my sense of reason and decorum. If I had refused, that would have put them (and myself!) in an awkward situation. So I became the object of their catharsis. In that moment, I did not want to be there. I did not need to be there. I was not interested in being the “BLACK GUY” who assuaged the guilt or filled the needs of white folk. (This same principle would apply regardless of race and ethnicity). I don't want my race to be a reason for my presence or utility. This was not the first occasion of an experience such as this. Many black folks are very familiar with this scenario.
This end of the spectrum can be described as, "I-need-you-because-you-are-black.”
I live in a small, conservative community-97% white, less than 3% AA. As an opinion writer in the local print, I have introduced an AA perspective, something new to this conservative whiteness; some of my earlier opinions often challenged the hypocrisy of the white-face of Christianity, and Biblical principles feigned in conservative religion/politics locally and nationally. I’ve ruffled some feathers, I’ve noticed their strained faces at events. I’ve been invited to one of “their” events, a pastors prayer breakfast. I disdain to go, but probably will.
I was heavily involved in the PK group that formed in my church in the mid90s. I was recently divorced and this group helped me stay centered in my faith as my world fell apart. I appreciated the leaderships efforts to make racial reconciliation one of the goals. But when several of us went to the 1997 gathering on the National Mall in Washington I started hearing complaints about how race issues were “taking over” the movement. There was an effort to pay the way to Washington for members of color that I heard compared to socialism. When describing the event some said “half” of the people there were black ( it was less than 10 percent). We were encouraged to make friends across racial lines and ask forgiveness for racist attitudes but that was about it. Even that was criticized as political.
In my area men’s groups tend to be very conservative, promoting the most traditional Complimentarian views of scripture, and a colorblind philosophy on race. PK was no different, although it did ask us to repent of the worst misuses of those views, it didn’t ask whether we should reexamine their foundation
I was at the 1996 PK event at the LA Coliseum, covering it for the NYT Syndicate. We should compare notes sometime!
As is the usual case, racism is viewed as personal, not systemic. Black men within these scenarios or more utilities for their objectives. Best to stay away from PK org and go with authentic relationships with White brothers and others.
I remember being one of a relatively few number of African Americans present at a Promise Keepers event, where the emphasis was racial reconciliation. The white guys were told that they needed to apologize to the black guys as representative of historic sins and mistreatment. While they got the historical part right, the solution was wrongheaded. A bunch of white guys in my section of a football stadium, whom I did not know, descended on me because I was black to offer their apologies, to ask my forgiveness and to get a “redemptive” hug. Of course I complied, even against my sense of reason and decorum. If I had refused, that would have put them (and myself!) in an awkward situation. So I became the object of their catharsis. In that moment, I did not want to be there. I did not need to be there. I was not interested in being the “BLACK GUY” who assuaged the guilt or filled the needs of white folk. (This same principle would apply regardless of race and ethnicity). I don't want my race to be a reason for my presence or utility. This was not the first occasion of an experience such as this. Many black folks are very familiar with this scenario.
This end of the spectrum can be described as, "I-need-you-because-you-are-black.”
Apparently Bill McCartney was genuinely committed to racial justice, but never quite managed to bring the rest of PK leadership along. The resistance is real. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/july-august/promise-keepers-racial-reconciliation-reconsidered.html
I read a few weeks ago that Promise Keepers made a mistake years ago by trying to deal with racism. Dealing with racism is not on their agenda.
I live in a small, conservative community-97% white, less than 3% AA. As an opinion writer in the local print, I have introduced an AA perspective, something new to this conservative whiteness; some of my earlier opinions often challenged the hypocrisy of the white-face of Christianity, and Biblical principles feigned in conservative religion/politics locally and nationally. I’ve ruffled some feathers, I’ve noticed their strained faces at events. I’ve been invited to one of “their” events, a pastors prayer breakfast. I disdain to go, but probably will.
I was heavily involved in the PK group that formed in my church in the mid90s. I was recently divorced and this group helped me stay centered in my faith as my world fell apart. I appreciated the leaderships efforts to make racial reconciliation one of the goals. But when several of us went to the 1997 gathering on the National Mall in Washington I started hearing complaints about how race issues were “taking over” the movement. There was an effort to pay the way to Washington for members of color that I heard compared to socialism. When describing the event some said “half” of the people there were black ( it was less than 10 percent). We were encouraged to make friends across racial lines and ask forgiveness for racist attitudes but that was about it. Even that was criticized as political.
In my area men’s groups tend to be very conservative, promoting the most traditional Complimentarian views of scripture, and a colorblind philosophy on race. PK was no different, although it did ask us to repent of the worst misuses of those views, it didn’t ask whether we should reexamine their foundation
As always, a thoughtful and impactful post. Thanks Jamar. I always appreciate your footnotes.
One day soon .. 🔜 .. both sides will move ..
.. both have wisdom , and have intelligence far beyond my abilities and understanding ..
.. where we take their next step is excruciatingly simple and yet last-days earth shaking ..
As my precious wife of 38 years often frames things , “At the end of the day “ .. I love you Jamar
.. & although I have not met you nor “ Shane Winnings “ ( btw , you both have the coolest names ever 😌) ..
.. again , at the end of the day , I love you both …
Love. U. Us.
❤️💚💙💫
— in Xhrist
, -w.
🙏🏿🙏🙏🏻🙏🏼🙏🏽🙏🏾🙏🏿,-w