The revolution has begun! All of the sudden, and without any formal announcement, African Americans have decided that enough is enough. Black people have had their fill of mistreatment & marginalization at the hands the country their ancestors built. In response to another senseless murder at the hands of law enforcement, Black people, joined by cultural counterparts sympathetic to their struggle, have decided to activate in whatever way possible. All over the nation (and the world), Black people have been marching, occupying, demonstrating, rioting, praying, boycotting, disrupting and agitating for over a month now (with no signs of slowing down). Until laws are changed, policies are addressed and the accused are sentenced to the fullest extent of the law, my people are committed to fighting powers in the name of progress.
The union was not ready for this uprising and now is beginning to readjust the way it treats and addresses Black people. My people are making it clear that we have no tolerance for anything less than equitable, dignified treatment. When it comes to people of color, what used to be confident steps and statements from the “powers that be” are now timid tiptoes through these times.
A increasingly common result of this revolution (or “resurrection” from my point of view), are the apologies from persons accustomed to operating in their privilege and realizing that their comments are no longer acceptable. Seeing that what was once bearable is now unbearable, there are constant retractions and regrets being expressed. From politicians to preachers to professionals, deeply bigoted, racially insensitive comments are prevalent in this moment. But what is more fatuous than these statements are the apologies that follow them. Disregard our culture, then say “sorry.” Justify slavery, then say “sorry”. Devalue our humanity, then say “sorry”. Presume to define us, then say “sorry”. Take us for granted, then say “sorry”. Demonize us for demonstrating…you guessed it! Then say, “sorry”.
The fast reaction for many of those who are committed to love (particularly those who are beneficiaries of forgiveness by way of Jesus’ love) is to accept these apologies and just move forward in forgiveness. In a moment such as this, with the goal being liberation for our people, we simply cannot afford to do that. We must demand more! African Americans are teaching this empire how to treat us going forward & what we condone today will be commonplace tomorrow.
As a practicing Christian, I choose to operate with people presuming best intention. I believe these apologies do come from a real place. I just don’t believe that place to be a place of compassion. In fact, I believe it to come from a place of privilege. Why wouldn’t the position of White privilege that prompted someone’s stance or statement be the same position of privilege that they apologize from?
The problem is not the apology itself. The problem is that the apology is not accompanied by an adjustment of practice. Deeper, the soft racism in these expressions of regret is in the implied belief that these people can say whatever they want, the fallout can be whatever it is and all that they have to do is render an apology in order for us to continue in our commitment to them. It is as if we are not intelligent enough, competent enough…human enough to know that we are being pandered to.
African Americans beginning to assert their agency leaves those in power fighting desperately to maintain it. It is difficult for me to believe that what is problematic for me is now problematic for you because you said it was a problem for you only after I told you it was a problem for me.
Sometimes people apologize because they are wrong & feel bad about it. There are other times where an apology is rendered because someone meant EXACTLY what they said and do not want to deal with the ramifications of their truth. Sometimes, people apologize because they made a mistake or misstep. Other times, someone apologizes because they do not want to lose the resources that accompany those whom they have offended.
Starbucks didn’t apologize because they were sympathetic to the struggle of black people in this country. They apologized because they realized how much money they were going to lose if black people (and those who stand with black people) stopped buying their coffee.
This president didn’t switch his campaign rally from Juneteenth (June 19th) because he appreciates the significance of the holiday for our people. He switched his campaign rally because he knows he needs to manipulate the black vote in order to stay in office.
I don’t know megachurch pastor Rod Parsley personally nor do I know the motivations of his heart (only God knows that). I do know that very few leaders (especially at his level of influence) say anything that is not planned and prepared. Rod Parsley didn’t apologize for suggesting slavery ought be acceptable to “us” because he thought he said anything wrong. Rod Parsley apologized because black people and black excellence and black labor and black dollars (and even a mimicry of black preaching) keep that machine moving.
In all of these instances (and so many others), the parasitic relationship of the establishment to black life is made clear. All we are to them are wallets; carriers of the resources required for them to function. They deal with, appease and apologize to us in order to keep getting what they need or want from us.
These insults to our intelligence and integrity must not be allowed to abide. It isn’t ok. And every time we act as if it is ok, a piece of us dies. I refuse to die another moment. I will die when the LORD says it is my time to & with my dignity intact.
I pray that while we choose to love (and forgive), we begin to see our value the same way those who attempt to take advantage of us do. May Black people begin the process of divesting any interest and investment we have in things/people/systems that have no interest in our humanity. May we stop being “wallets” to them by closing our wallets to them. Our redemption in Jesus does not require us to accept this treatment and our demand for revolution must hold those in power accountable to a revolution of conduct. In a moment of change, apologies to African Americans must go as deep and far as the wrong that was done. And, while we may choose to forgive, let us be brave enough to say to the establishment, these institutions and those who lead them that “sorry, not sorry” is no longer enough.
