Bishop’s Blog - Black History Month
Last month Janis and I had the honor of attending the Founder’s Day celebration at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) in Los Angeles to hear Stacey Abrams speak. This was a gathering of nearly 500 members of the Southern California Conference Ministerial Alliance of the AME, led by their bishop, the Rt. Rev. Francine A. Brookins. It was an afternoon of power and praise, with choir and preachers gathered under the stunning mural “God and Us” which enlivens the worship space.
The Transforming Witness of Sacred Art
February is Black History Month, and I invite you to use this mural as something of an icon, gazing upon the beautiful artistry, and learning about its meaning. A better rendition of the mural, and its history, is found here: About Our Mural – First AME Church. When you are in this worship space, you cannot help but be transformed by the color, power and history of this artwork.
Honoring History Without Oversimplifying It
I acknowledge the history of this nation and its sinful past involving slavery. I also want to acknowledge the African descent people who strengthen and bless our nation, not only the millions whose ancestors came against their will, but the millions who have migrated to this country in the past 150 years. When we consider the threats against Somalis and other Africans in the Twin Cities and other parts of the country, we must understand, as best we can, that their stories are different from those who came as enslaved people. Also, those who have enslaved people in their family trees are not defined solely by that part of their lineage. I guess what I mean to say is there is no monolithic “Black history.” There are people in this country who openly call Africans “garbage” and are trying to wipe out all efforts to remember our past and celebrate people from other parts of the world. This is unacceptable. We are a global society, a global family of God. That truth is not an inconvenience or a liberal agenda. This is the blessing God gave each of us.
From Black History to Black Future
I do not wish to erase Black history. I humbly admit I will never know enough and will keep learning. But I invite us to also consider February as Black Future month. We have been blessed with such richness in this country. How will we learn from and be led by people of color? The Honorable Stacey Abrams taught us much about the current state of our government and how every day people can organize, be educated and work in their communities to bring a bright and powerful democracy in the future. People of African descent have done this for centuries. They cling to their faith, to their identity and their community, and then move into the future, supporting each other. May God grant us ways to support community, both the ones we find ourselves in and the ones created by people living a different reality than we are. This is the way.
