10/02: “Black” This or That: The Scandal of Racial Particularity
Category: Black
Posted by: RBAFounderX
Even in 2006, when the word “black” is used to describe anything, why do I get the sense that it seem like it is taboo? Is it improper to talk about or even have the word “black” to describe anything like “Black” studies, “Black” writings, “Black” music, “Black” organizations, or even "Black" theology, etc? Of course, I understand how both the theological and political left and right and everyone in between have used the term “black” historically. Usually, the left likes to wear their pro-Black t-shirts and the right wants to wear a button-down shirt over their pro-Black t-shirts (assuming they haven’t taken it off already). Is there any middle ground between these two battlefields?
Yes, I believe that there is a middle ground, but for right now, I want to talk about this same sort of tension in another very familiar setting, at least for some, the Black (theologically) conservative setting, reformed or not. Nevertheless, I do want to primarily focus on the Black Reformed context, (though, much of what I plan to say will be applicable to the broader theologically conservative setting, Black or White).
I bring all of this up because I believe there is a current among Black Reformed folks who get a little uneasy when discussions about Black and Reformed issues come up. Unspoken (and sometimes spoken) questions like these are lingering around: Why do Black folks still need to “separate” themselves? Isn’t Reformed theology just Reformed theology without any association of race and culture (as if it is neutral)? Why do Black and Reformed issues matter anyway? What do me being Black has to do with Reformed theology? If Reformed theology is biblical, then me being Black is irrelevant because I believe what the Bible says? Do we even need to talk about or use the phrase “Black and Reformed”? Why do Black folks have to have Black this or Black that? Why can’t we have just say Reformed (theology), period?
Well, all these questions are excellent questions and there are more that could be asked and should be asked. Obviously, I won’t be able to answer all of those questions here, but I do plan on addressing those issues in the future. And so far some answers and challenges have been put forward by Founder Michael Mewborn and Mark Robinson, which have been quite insightful and well-articulated. Nevertheless, before we enter that discussion, I want us to take a step back to consider why does it even bother us, Black or White when “Black” is attached to a subject or used as a qualifying adjective?
To be quite honest, I believe the answer is staring us right in our face, but we are too deeply embedded in an Anglo-dominated culture and society that we continue to miss it. See, far too often when “Black” was used in our Anglo-dominated society, it usually rocked the “Anglo-societal” boat, which almost always had a negative overtone in some fashion. Of course, we, Black folks, can expect that it would ruffle the feathers of many White folks, but why now-a-days are even some Black folks getting a little ruffled?
I think that some Blacks are uncomfortable with anything “explicitly” Black for at least two reasons: (1) they do not think it is needed any more and (2) it will hinder Blacks from successfully matriculating in society (i.e. Anglo-dominant culture). Soooo…what ends up happening is that Blacks (some consciously and unconsciously) put aside their “Blackness” in order to be an “equal” part of society. However, this is not only true in the way some Blacks live in America, but it also the way many Blacks try to do theology and talk about theology. In other words, I think many Black folks do not like talking about a “Black” this or Black that or better yet, Black Reformed this or Black Reformed that because they still unconsciously desire white peer acceptance, which will be difficult to obtain with a “Black” anything as a sort of attachment. Therefore, the unfortunate reality is that many of us still do not see how white racism and supremacy still affects us.
FYI: This obviously would explain why there may be some uneasy feelings about the existence of Reformed Blacks of America.
Founder Xavier Pickett
Gentry wrote:
That being said, I can understand how some would have 'uneasy feelings' as well. The first and perhaps most important thing that comes to mind is the unity of the body of Christ. If we all consider ourselves one, as we should, then why use titles or names that have separated us traditionally. I get that. But I think you hit it right on the head when you brought up the baggage that comes with the word "black" - and it really has nothing to do with the word itself, but with the initial 'need' for it historically. See, it is kind of a double edge sword - On the one hand, it is seen as separatist, but if you _don't_ use the word, how will you be able to differentiate your community from other reformed communities?
I guess the question that comes up is why would you want to? But I can totally understand.. I mean, you _are_ Black. It's part of who you are, it's just as defining a trait for yourself and others in our society as saying you are a Reformed Christian.
But I'm not sure I want to go as far as to say that someone, by foregoing the word is "putting aside their blackness" in order to have "white peer acceptance". And I'm not sure it is fair to those who don't like to use a 'potentially' separating term for the purpose of unity to put it in those terms.
Bottom line is that there is nothing wrong with calling yourself a Reformed Black man. I'm convinced that if there was a never a Fall, and there was no such thing as Racism, you would still be Black and I would still be White, and we would still use those terms to describe ourselves to others - we just wouldn't have to have this particular conversation about it. The problem is not with the words - the problem is with US.