How to Help: A Black Christian Perspective on Race in America

America is hurting right now. Yesterday on Blackout Tuesday, a day where we stopped to listen to black voices on systemic racism in the United States, I chose this opportunity to use my voice not to sing, but to speak. Some were willing to listen, others weren’t. It was a difficult day for me. But it is so much more difficult for the families of black men and women who have lost their lives. As some of you know I ordinarily post YouTube videos on Tuesdays, but yesterday was an exception. Last week, I had different plans, plans to launch a giveaway and share music and exciting news with my audience, but yesterday I just didn’t have it in me. I’ve been waiting and praying for the right words to say about what’s been going on in my country right now, but there really are none that can do justice to the unjust loss of black lives that continues to occur in the United States, not even the latest of which being George Floyd.

Before I start any further I will say this: I truly feel this is an uncomfortable conversation we need to have, and I hope that some of what I say challenges you to do more, or to do better, because that’s my intention here. I want the injustice to the black community to stop. But if you cannot show basic human decency and respect in the comments, regardless of what side of the discussion you’re on, I will turn them off. This is my own personal space on the internet and I will not tolerate hatred. Not even micro-aggression. Now that I have that out of the way, let’s talk, friends.

This is not the type of post I ever wanted to make on this blog, but I had to call an audible. My heart is broken, my friends. I’ve watched along with the rest of America this past week as unheard cries for justice turned from mourning, to groaning, to boiling over. And yet, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of a system that favors the powerful, that displaces people who share my heritage, somehow this still seems to be up for debate to some people. To my white brothers and sisters, I ask of you, I beg of you, in our time of need, please hear us. Please listen to us. Please believe us that what we’re telling you is true. And please stand with us. We can’t do this alone. Our voice is the minority. We can’t effect change without you. To those of you who have already stepped up as allies, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Let’s beat this thing together.

My platforms on all the social outlets might be tiny, but I know my voice isn’t the only one here, and if you are a fellow Christ-follower or just a concerned and decent human being wanting a way to take action, please consider what I’ve felt the Lord place on my heart. Links are down below. First, for those of you who may not know me so well, yes I’m a black man of mixed heritage who happens to be fairly white-passing. What that has meant for me is that in general, my black experience has been different from other members of my family and friends, but it hasn’t been devoid of prejudice. Some of the worst of it comes from people who have said things about black people right in my presence, not knowing where I come from. But my story isn’t important. I just wanted there to be no confusion when I say “us,” I mean my fellow black brothers and sisters. What is important is that black people are at a disadvantage in our American society. In my many conversations this past week I’ve come across mantras like “I don’t see color” and “all lives matter.” Both of those phrases are hurtful to us, and if you’d like to understand why, I’d love to talk to you about it, preferably in a private conversation. My Instagram handle is @jordancoley, and I’d love to have a respectful dialogue. But if you choose not to listen, and you continue to use that phrase, that tells me that you don’t want to listen to a black voice on this problem. That makes talk cheap.

I think about the campaign four years ago that won an election on the slogan “Make America Great Again.” I would like to ask you, for whom has America ever really been great? If the answer doesn’t include all people, then it’s time for us to start to see color and use it for good, because there’s something wrong. It’s time for us to recognize that America doesn’t act like all lives matter. In the parable of the goats and the sheep, Jesus says this:

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”

Matthew 25:40, NLT

I challenge you, think about who qualifies as “the least of these,” in situations of police brutality, of racism, and of injustice. And think about what you would do, or would not do, for those people. Then think about what the King, Jesus, would have to say about your choices and your actions. I hope your priorities are with the people who are being affected by this cycle of crime against human beings. I hope your energy is focused on getting justice, and not on criticizing the symptoms of the greater disease.

So what does it mean for us to see color? I don’t mean that in a negative way, but I do mean it in a way that allows us to take off the blinders and see that racism is alive and well in this country. That we have a system that has failed the black community on so many levels, and that something needs to change, because lives are at stake. How can we do that? We can organize and protest, as so many of my friends and family are already doing. We can call our elected officials and tell them how they can keep our votes. We can vote for candidates who value us as human beings, and not as statistics. And we can use our finances to help find justice for those who are affected by this string of repeated tragedies. I’ve linked a handful of funds and petitions that are directly supporting victims and their families down below. I’ve put some money in already, and plan to donate even more next time I get paid. Please join me if you’re in a financial situation to do so. I know that’s hard for some folks right now with our current economic crisis. Even now as I’ve said all this, someone reading this might be thinking I haven’t said enough, or the right thing, or that I’ve said too much. What I’m saying here is not the be-all, end-all solution. I’m just one man trying to ask and fight for change. I’m challenging you to join me.

I want to say this with respect to the protests and their turning violent. If you’re more concerned over destruction of property than the loss of life, please check your priorities. That kind of criticism over how people are speaking out is like white people are acting like the gatekeepers to our rights, and if we don’t ask them nicely, in just the way they please, they are allowed to tell us, “No.” That is wrong. With that said, I do not in any way condone violence and destruction like we’re seeing on the news. That is, however, not the majority of what’s going on in these protests, and it doesn’t change the legitimacy of their message. We need things to change. Peaceful protests are the majority, and there are protests happening in all 50 states right now at the time I’m writing this. Every state. No exceptions. From small towns to big cities, people are using their voices. And they’re joined in solidarity all around the world. And these people out protesting are literally risking getting a deadly disease to make their voices heard, because coronavirus hasn’t gone anywhere. Their lives are on the line, not even speaking of the danger many of them are in due to escalation from some members of the police force. I also want to say that we see and are so grateful to those of you that are standing alongside us, trying to honor the oath you’ve taken to protect and serve. But we also see a lot of silence and complacency, and it is more than heartbreaking, it is heart-wrenching. I hope and pray that next week I don’t have to take this kind of grim tone. I hope to see real justice for George Floyd on this side of glory. And I hope and pray you’ll stand with me. Black lives matter.

How to Help

Protest

As I mentioned, protests are happening all around the country, in over 400 cities and towns, in all 50 states. If you want to get involved, you can find one with a simple Google search. Stay safe, be vigilant, and watch out for anyone who might escalate things beyond peaceful, from either side of the aisle. Don’t believe anyone that says the instigation is one-sided.

Donate

Here is a great resource on how to donate to individual families as well as causes and organizations who are working to advocate for black lives, and other ways to get involved.

Sign a Petition

Here is a list of petitions you can sign right now to put your name alongside hundreds of thousands, and in some cases millions. Let’s get loud together. One thing to note: Don’t donate to change.org, funds donated there go to the change.org organization and not to the causes or movements directly. But definitely still sign the petitions!

1. Change.org – Justice for George Floyd
2. Care2 Petitions – Justice for George Floyd
3. Change.org – Get All Four Officers Charged
4. Change.org – Justice for Breonna Taylor
5. Change.org – Justice for David McAtee

Dialogue

Last, have conversations. Listen to the black voices that tell you something is wrong. Understand that you don’t have to experience something personally for it to be valid. Respect one another. Learn from one another, whether you’re the one teaching or not.

I love each and every one of you reading this. Let’s end racism.