‘Dismantling Racism’ Gets Harder – Much, Much Harder

Crisis Watch Aug. 24, 2020

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A United Methodist Insight Column

Just when we began to think we’re making some headway in dismantling racism, as the Council of Bishops has called United Methodists to do, we encounter events like these:

After video shows Wisconsin police shooting a Black man multiple times, National Guard called in to Kenosha  – Washington Post

A Black Man Has Died After Louisiana Police Fired More Than 10 Shots At Him As He Walked Away  – Buzzfeed News

‘I wasn’t surprised. I was just hurt’: A Black professor says police demanded proof she lives in her own house – Washington Post

What are the common denominators here? I’d say they’re overzealous police and Black people going about their own business. But the most fundamental thread in these incidents is racism, pure and simple.

What’s not simple, and rarely pure, is how we go about addressing the attitudes and practices that lead to these events and to their aftermaths. No one can condone violent outbursts like those that have occurred in Kenosha since Jacob Blake was shot in the back in front of his three sons. Nor could there be any approval if similar rioting and property destruction were to happen in reaction to the killing of Trayford Pellerin in Lafayette, La., or the harassment of Prof. Danielle Fuentes Morgan and her brother Carlos Fuentes in Santa Clara, Calif.

That said, the way to a new anti-racist society starts with white people being willing to accept the feedback and criticism of their racist actions and attitudes. Next, white people have to start talking with other white people about racism and how we white folks benefit from it. I mean, can you imagine a white man getting shot in the back like Jacob Blake or Trayford Pellerin? Can you see a white professor being called out of her own home to justify herself and her brother to police? Not having to be prepared for such instances, not even having to think about preparing for such episodes, is how white privilege benefits white people in America.

So yes, join peaceful demonstrations and confront government officials about stopping the systemic racism that pervades America. But don’t stop there. Educate yourself about racism, white privilege and white fragility. Talk about racism with your white family and friends, not your Black friends and colleagues, because they’re worn out and it’s not their job anyway.

Start by watching the videos on UMC.org, and then get busy with other resources. Plan to watch the next Dismantling Racism Town Hall panel with emerging United Methodist leaders on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at noon Central Time.

The struggle will take all we’ve got for the rest of our lives.

(Full disclosure: I have a slight connection to the Blake shooting. Jacob Blake’s aunt, Nicki Blake Chafetz, is a Facebook friend of mine. I am one of her many friends that have offered comfort to the family via FB posts.)

‘Climate Emergency’ is the real deal

Remember that recent statement from the world’s scientists about the global climate emergency? Well, their ranks have swelled considerably since last mention, according to the weekly Climate Beat newsletter from Covering Climate Now:

“It’s rare to hear the term ‘climate emergency’ in media and political discourse in the United States, even though that is the term thousands of scientists say most accurately describes the situation facing humanity. More than 13,000 scientists have now signed the ‘World Scientists’ Warning of a Climate Emergency,’ which begins by affirming that scientists have ‘a moral obligation … to “tell it like it is”’ before enumerating all the many ‘alarming trends [that make] it urgently necessary to act.’”

CCNow notes that the phrase “climate emergency” is sensitive for journalists and politicians because some think it implies advocacy. My response is: Don’t we think it’s past time we advocated on behalf of God’s creation? We certainly do here at Insight, which is why we're using the term "climate emergency."

I know we’re all tired of the relentless stream of crises, and the climate emergency is one of the hardest to get our heads around because it’s so massive. Nonetheless, we can’t stop now. We have to keep informed and alert for opportunities to influence public policy on saving the environment. Otherwise, we’ll keep having virulent illnesses like COVID-19 and catastrophic weather events like this week’s one-two punch of tropical storms Marco and Laura on the U.S. Gulf coast, until there’s nothing left of life on Earth. There is no Planet B.

Media Mentions as of Aug. 24

African schools adapt to health requirements – United Methodist News Service

Amid escalated police presence, Episcopal church offers sanctuary to protesters in Pasadena – Religion News Service

Christian colleges take steps to address racial justice after criticism – The Washington Post *

Tabernacle Choir’s Christmas concert canceled because of the coronavirus – The Salt Lake Tribune *

In Iowa, hard-hit churches and faith-based organizations rally to help out in wake of derecho storm – Religion News Service

Black and White evangelicals once talked about ‘racial reconciliation.’ Then Trump came along – The Washington Post *

Black Christians have lived out their faith by fighting for voting access – The Washington Post *Schools looking for space could turn to churches to host classes – doing so has a rich history – The Conversation

*Paid subscription required.

Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.