Black History Month: One More Step Toward Understanding
January 29, 2021
By Linda Bowling
Chairperson, Dearborn First UMC Reconciling and Justice Team
Photo by Ilse Orsel on Unsplash
An Open Invitation
History is written by the victor, the powerful, the majority. For over 200 years, that has been white, educated, financially secure men. In that monopoly of information, we risk losing the stories of everyone else.
President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, encouraging us to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
Reconciling Race One Step at a Time
Following the first step of self examination we looked at last month, February offers us an opportunity to take the next steps on our 2021 journey to becoming effective allies in the fight for racial justice.
Seeking to remain transparent, I confess my fear continues to be the reflection of white America. I don’t want to be associated with that past behavior or present reality. However, closing my eyes will not impact the injustice, indeed, it may aid it.
Step Two: Self education.
The Reconciling Justice team invites you to overtly look for opportunities to learn about the Black community and experience. That is an easy statement to make, but where to begin?
Let me offer these suggestions:
The PBS two part docuseries The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song, will be broadcast February 16 and 23 at 9pm. Created and hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr, it examines the importance and influence of the church on the Black community from slavery to today, their obstacles, failures and victories.
Visit the United Methodist Church web page United Methodists Stand Against Racism (umc.org).
There are multiple resources to read and view for education and action.
“As I Am Consulting” is an allyship Facebook page and website created in the aftermath of the violence last summer. Full disclosure, the founder and consultant is my niece-in-law. I invite you to read her posts for a window into a personal perspective on racism in 21st Century America.
I am currently reading How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi. This award winning book is a challenge to us to move from “not a racist” to an advocate for change.
I know I will be challenged by all of these.
But growth is hard.
And the discomfort I feel is embarrassingly minimal compared to the battle my brothers and sisters continue to face.
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.”
- Proverbs 3:13
Linda Bowling is Chairperson of Reconciling Justice Team at Dearborn First United Methodist Church. Contact her at justice@dearbornfirstumc.org.
