For Us, By Us
On this third Sunday in Black History Month, I am thinking about the attempted systematic erasure of Black people and our history from the story of this nation and how important it is that we fight this systematic erasure. One way of fighting is by engaging defensive strategies like phone calls, letters, protests and boycotts of companies and agencies that support our erasure.
The second way of fighting is by employing offensive strategies. This is something that we can do as a church, especially as a Historically Black Church affiliated with the Progressive Baptist Convention, the denominational home of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Offensive strategies include being intentional with our use of sources in preaching and teaching, making sure to include Black theologians, Black history, Black music, Black literature, etc. As Issa Rae said, “I’m rooting for EVERYBODY BLACK!”
But this offensive strategy goes beyond the work of the pastor. It will be crucial for our Christian Education once the department and classes are in place to use curriculum written by us, for us. It will also be crucial for every ministry to locate and highlight our legacy within the framework of their ministry. For example, what would it mean for the Missionary Society to tell the story of Betsy Stockton, who was emancipated after being enslaved right here in New Jersey, who is lauded as the first African American Christian missionary, serving as the only Black woman in a company of thirteen (13) white missionaries to present day Hawaii in February of 1863. Or what would It mean for the Women’s Ministry to find Inspiration and strategy In the work of the Female Benevolent Society of St. Thomas in Philadelphia, of the the first African American women’s clubs that fought for social and political change? Or what would it mean for the Deacons to find purpose beyond the walls of the church Inspired by the Deacons for Defense and Justice, a group In the 1960s that protected protesters and activists from the Ku Klux Klan. Knowing our history will help us forge ahead Into the future.
Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah