“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.” – Angela Davis
If I have learned anything the last few weeks it is the words in the quote above. I have heard many voices giving many different opinions about what is going on in our country, and somewhere in there is the truth. But here is what I know for sure. We still have a long way to go in the arena of race relations in America. In an effort to keep learning and growing, I have asked two black sisters in Christ who are also bloggers to join me in this discussion.
Yvonne Chase aka the Single Woman’s Cheerleader and Calvonia Radford of realtalk859.wordpress.com graciously agreed to dialogue with me and let me share our conversation with you. I encourage you to visit their websites and read their insights on this matter and many others. And I pray God uses this exchange to further His kingdom and encourage love, healing and fellowship.
Yvonne wrote a post called Silence Speaks Volumes that I referenced in my blog a couple of weeks ago. In it, she mentioned that it took her several days to publish a post about the unrest all around us for fear of offending others. I asked her why she was afraid.
Yvonne: “…most of the readers of my blog are white Christian women. My blog is not for the faint of heart. Much of what I write about can be seen as offensive simply because I’m a Christian woman and we’re not supposed to have certain conversations in such a bold way. The church is too silent on issues that matter. Let’s face it, most people can’t handle the truth even when it’s tempered with grace. In that post, I called out white women on their silence that I see all too often on social media when something happens to the black community. I see it repeatedly and it’s bothersome.”
Calvonia wrote a blog post called, “Say Their Names”. I asked her why it is important to say the names of those who have been victimized.
Calvonia: “In a society where social media news feeds and 24/7 television stations throw sound bites and news clips to us at the speed of lightening, we tend to react before we absorb the information Speaking their names out loud causes us to think of them as humans with unique personality traits, gifts and talents. For me, hearing their names made me feel their mother’s pain. It prevented me from making their rap sheet top priority. Rather, I wanted to know them personally. I craved to hear their stories.”
And now, my questions for both ladies:
What do you want white people to know?
Calvonia: “I want white people to know we are just as similar as we are different. Black and brown skinned people are not an anomaly. I want them to know we are scared. When we watch the news, we see deeper than whatever happened that day. We see black and white film strips in the civil rights archives. We grab our children and give them “the talk” once again. Because we know the media is not misleading us about racism. We have experienced it far too often. It’s like a nightmare you never wake up from.”
How would you like your white brothers and sisters to respond to this cultural moment?
Yvonne: “I would like them to care…When you care, you take authentic action. You post on social media from a place of empathy, not pressure. You write a blog post because what happened to George and black people in America breaks your heart. I want them to respond the way they would if George was their son or family member or close friend. I want them to say what’s happening to black people in America is wrong because they believe and know that deep in their hearts, not because the entire world is now saying it. Black people didn’t just arrive on the scene. Now all of a sudden because of a modern-day lynching, you care. Why didn’t you care before? Why did it take seeing a knee on the neck of a black man for you to care? Answering that question will uncover what’s in their hearts.”
Calvonia: “I want them to respond with compassion. Check in on me. Ask me how I’m doing and wait to hear the answer. I would love for them to ask me questions instead of telling me all of this is not real. Ask me about my experience. And listen – actively listen – with no preconceived ideas. I want them to listen with the intent to discover something new about me and to identify something within themselves.
Readers, I have more of this conversation to share with you, but I don’t want to rush it. These women have given us a glimpse of their heart and their experience. It’s too important to skim over. I encourage you to go back and read the answers to these questions once again. If you primarily see racism, the protests and all the discussions surrounding them as political, then I would challenge you to listen closer. Listen to the pain, fear and frustration in these answers. Better yet, as Calvonia suggested, ask someone of color that you know how they are feeling. What they are experiencing. Do it IRL (in real life). And then come back next week to learn some more from my blogger friends in “A Conversation on Race, Part II”.
And now for this week’s featured post!
Barbara Harper Lee of Stray Thoughts: A Home for the Stray Thoughts of an Ordinary Christian Woman, reviewed Dr. Michelle Bengtson‘s book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises here. Michelle is a fellow believing blogger (I love alliteration.) and a board certified clinical neuropsychologist. In this time of Covid 19, high unemployment and racial tensions, not to mention normal daily stresses and fears, I needed to learn about this resource. Visit both of these ladies online for voices of wisdom and biblical encouragement.
Now for this week’s link-up! Let’s bless and encourage one another in our walk with the Lord.
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Thanks so much for featuring my post about Michelle’s book! It’s one that I’ll probably need to revisit periodically.
Thanks, also, for these conversations. I guess I ignorantly thought that racism was largely confined to a few rednecks and a few white supremacists holed up in a compound somewhere; that so many strides had been made since the 60s that, for the most part, people of color had equal opportunities. My eyes have been opened since we met our Indian daughter-in-law and saw and heard of racism she has experienced. And they’ve been opened further these last few weeks. I’m listening and learning.
Listening and learning are the best things we can do, Barbara. A few years ago I thought racism was a few wackos myself.
Thank you for using your platform to share knowledge and amplify our message.
#TrafficJamWeekend
It is the very least I can do, Antionette.
Thank you, Lauren for your holy boldness to address such a controversial subject. Conversations like this cause necessary uncomfortableness which will move people to action.
That is my prayer, Calvonia.
Thank you for starting the conversation. It is difficult but it won’t ever get better if we keep avoiding it just because it will be hard. We must begin.
I agree, Suzette. My platform is not big, but I will use it the best I can.
Lauren, thank you so much for using your platform to share our stories and our heart. I appreciate you.
I appreciate your gracious willingness to participate.
Hi Lauren,
Thank you for taking the time to reflect upon these crucial issues of race, racism and racial equality on your blog. Frank discussions and exchanges about being anti-racist are an important step forward. As a woman of color, I sincerely appreciate your efforts.
I am so pleased that you read and appreciated it, Deborah. I am learning so much from my black brothers and sisters who are willing to engage with me.
Lauren, thank you so much for reaching out to Yvonne and Calvonia and sharing this important dialogue. I am not familiar with Calvonia (but will be now). I have been a fan of Yvonne’s for quite some time now. We have to keep educating ourselves and actively listening to the issues so we can make the progress move in the direction it needs to be moving. Thanks so much for sharing this powerful message and linking up with me.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thanks for reading, Shelbee. I am personally learning so much.
Lauren – Thank you for introducing us and sharing your conversation with Yvonne and Calvonia. I have much to learn and I want to do that by really listening. I can’t wait for your post next week.
I am learning so much, Maree. Thank you.
Thank you, Lauren. I am looking forward to your continued thoughts on race.
Thank you, Michele.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Karen.
Thank you Lauren for inviting me to continue the conversation with you. It takes courage to take on uncomfortable topics yet we need the discomfort if we’re ever going to get to the other side.
I agree, Yvonne. And I’m so grateful to you.
Great conversation.
Thanks, Susan. Come back tomorrow for the rest!
so great – both of their answers and your questions – God is doing a work in my heart and in the US I hope!
I pray so, too, Sue. Thank you!
Praise God! You are an answer to my prayers.
That is about the nicest compliment I could receive. I am so grateful to you for your help and candor.
Wow! This post brought tears to my eyes. It’s such a beautiful thing to simply see this kind of dialogue taking place. THANK YOU, Lauren! Hugs and blessings to you, Sister! 🙂
So kind of you, Tai. I have been so moved by the plight of my black brothers and sisters in a way I never understood before and wanted to do what I could with the small platform I have.