Though change is likely to be slow and continue to encounter backlash, faith communities can lead by 1) talking about the theological basis for reparations; 2) providing opportunities for people to practice ways to have non-violent conversations about this issue (e.g. workshops given by Braver Angels); 3) encourage speakers and book discussions about this issue; 4) pose questions about reparations to candidates for election at local and state levels (federal is another issue) in a non-partisan manner; and support non-partisan get-out-the-vote efforts. Persistence is essential.
Doc, I write comments about every other post and usually end up deleting them. This one is just another post of yours that reminds me just how far away us white folks are from any repentance as a group collective. Repentance, however is all I know that can save us. We are dying in our pride and coercive tactics of reverse victimization made up by the"massa" to further extend white privilege and further press on our white fragility. We're the worst. And Im one of us. Im working on it personally and may be able to make a noticeable mark on my circle of influence, hopeful and working. But I'll tell you from the suburbs, on my white, evangelical, conservative, christian brethren's part, any movement regarding real acceptance of responsibility for the mess we have made and continue to add to seems to be movement away from acceptance. Until we white Christians, who have paraded the Savior all over the globe with our violent, marauding force always in tow, repent to Our Savior, many of us will be surprised and horrified to find that we are in the 'goat group' on separation day. He is always always always, from Genesis to Revelation, for the slave, the poor and the oppressed. We regularly are not. Keep grinding, Professor. Your labor is not in vain.
I am grateful you commented! Please continue to do so. I am heavy-hearted about the continued reticence on the part of some white people to move toward repentance and repair.
I hear you. I believe you. It is shameful that the “squeaky wheel” white voices don’t want to hear it and work to squelch the work of those that recognize the need. Thank you for telling these stories. You have my deepest respect.
Judicial Watch is a very harmful organization. Not only in their harassment of Evanston and other entities that take steps for justice. They also do deceptive and manipulative fundraising from naive people. I don't personally have time to track their financial reporting if they are a non profit, but perhaps some organization out there could research and expose them.
The Justice Watch claim is specious. The only equal protection problem that might exist would involve non-black residents who were the victims of redlining and discriminatory zoning decisions by Evanston. Those very likely don’t exist.
It’s always amazing to me that conservatives want to deny structural racism and its long term effects when the FHA built the middle class by denying mortgage assistance to Black would-be homeowners.
"White people have been benefiting from racism and white supremacy since before the Declaration of Independence. They do not need reparations for racial discrimination because they were the ones doing the discriminating."
THIS!
I would say it's unbelievable, but it is all too predictable.
The Law doesn't understand the principles of healing. The rupture and repair principle. The rupture is clear, now let's repair. Reparations are needed as repair, not reconciliation. There never was a relationship in the first place to reconcile. It's about reparations as part of the healing. It's the intersection of basic rupture and repair healing work and the Law. What do we do to help the Law understand these basic principles of repair? What do we do to help white people understand this? I feel sad and angry. I am white and I can see the need. As a society, the Law is key, so let's bring Healing principles into our Laws. It's like the intersection between spirituality and science. It's a real space. Law needs to include Healing. I guess it would be a whole shift of Law from being punitive to transformative. I wish I had more power. Just my thoughts...
Though change is likely to be slow and continue to encounter backlash, faith communities can lead by 1) talking about the theological basis for reparations; 2) providing opportunities for people to practice ways to have non-violent conversations about this issue (e.g. workshops given by Braver Angels); 3) encourage speakers and book discussions about this issue; 4) pose questions about reparations to candidates for election at local and state levels (federal is another issue) in a non-partisan manner; and support non-partisan get-out-the-vote efforts. Persistence is essential.
You laid out the plan! Appreciate all of them, especially #4!
Doc, I write comments about every other post and usually end up deleting them. This one is just another post of yours that reminds me just how far away us white folks are from any repentance as a group collective. Repentance, however is all I know that can save us. We are dying in our pride and coercive tactics of reverse victimization made up by the"massa" to further extend white privilege and further press on our white fragility. We're the worst. And Im one of us. Im working on it personally and may be able to make a noticeable mark on my circle of influence, hopeful and working. But I'll tell you from the suburbs, on my white, evangelical, conservative, christian brethren's part, any movement regarding real acceptance of responsibility for the mess we have made and continue to add to seems to be movement away from acceptance. Until we white Christians, who have paraded the Savior all over the globe with our violent, marauding force always in tow, repent to Our Savior, many of us will be surprised and horrified to find that we are in the 'goat group' on separation day. He is always always always, from Genesis to Revelation, for the slave, the poor and the oppressed. We regularly are not. Keep grinding, Professor. Your labor is not in vain.
I am grateful you commented! Please continue to do so. I am heavy-hearted about the continued reticence on the part of some white people to move toward repentance and repair.
I hear you. I believe you. It is shameful that the “squeaky wheel” white voices don’t want to hear it and work to squelch the work of those that recognize the need. Thank you for telling these stories. You have my deepest respect.
Very kind of you to say, Jane! I appreciate your support!
Judicial Watch is a very harmful organization. Not only in their harassment of Evanston and other entities that take steps for justice. They also do deceptive and manipulative fundraising from naive people. I don't personally have time to track their financial reporting if they are a non profit, but perhaps some organization out there could research and expose them.
Yes. This lawsuit is just one of the ways they are proving harmful. And as you've indicated, follow the money.
I talk about the raparations King Cyrus provides in my latest article...
https://jonathanbrownson.substack.com/p/trump?r=gdp9j
Really good insights. Thank you for sharing, Jonathan.
The Justice Watch claim is specious. The only equal protection problem that might exist would involve non-black residents who were the victims of redlining and discriminatory zoning decisions by Evanston. Those very likely don’t exist.
It’s always amazing to me that conservatives want to deny structural racism and its long term effects when the FHA built the middle class by denying mortgage assistance to Black would-be homeowners.
"White people have been benefiting from racism and white supremacy since before the Declaration of Independence. They do not need reparations for racial discrimination because they were the ones doing the discriminating."
THIS!
I would say it's unbelievable, but it is all too predictable.
I appreciate you, Jemar; with you in the fight.
Jemar,
As a healer...
The Law doesn't understand the principles of healing. The rupture and repair principle. The rupture is clear, now let's repair. Reparations are needed as repair, not reconciliation. There never was a relationship in the first place to reconcile. It's about reparations as part of the healing. It's the intersection of basic rupture and repair healing work and the Law. What do we do to help the Law understand these basic principles of repair? What do we do to help white people understand this? I feel sad and angry. I am white and I can see the need. As a society, the Law is key, so let's bring Healing principles into our Laws. It's like the intersection between spirituality and science. It's a real space. Law needs to include Healing. I guess it would be a whole shift of Law from being punitive to transformative. I wish I had more power. Just my thoughts...
Just heinous.
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾