Thread by @jchris831241

THREAD:
Has anyone stopped to think about the BLACK and BROWN women working behind the scenes at Sparrow? The ones who are doing work in DAL? The ones being erased and nullified by being dragged, as though Sparrow is only white?

Is anyone stopping to pray for them as they have to choose their next steps? This ain’t about assimilation, this ain’t about conformity. This is about having done work, and it’s literally overlooked because some women walked out.

There was an amazing testimony from a black woman on Fri that brought healing to a space that needed it. There was a time of lamenting together where women prayed for each other, decenterign whiteness, affirming color, and bringing the invisible to the fore.

My BLACK and BROWN sisters in DAL are dealing with the backlash and apparent undoing of the work they’ve been doing for years. So many people writing off an organization because of what they read on twitter, but what about TNT perseverance of the everyday person in DAL?

What about @cessilyersmith who was there talking about infant mortality in our community? What are April and @BAbridgebuilder doing work here? What about @missjazzyliz who sat on the stage with Ekemini and edited the magazine, which has recourses and voices

that are not the majority? How about @JadaEdwards1721, who spoke on forgiveness, even as I sat seats away from someone I know I need to forgive? This doesn’t make the news. This isn’t in the media. YES, @sista_theology spoke deep truth, with great hope, but some were not ready.

YES, Dallas is crazy racist. AND there are people here doing the work. BLACK women are doing the work.@sparrowwomen you had your chance to make this right quick, fast, and in a hurry, and you blew it. Your apology didn’t help, and your silence is evidence of fragility. Grow up.

AND this dragging, this snobbery and elevation of noses from other Christians... who needs enemies when you have family like this? Why would I want to be a part of this body when, all I have to do is say the wrong thing, and shade is thrown at me? I mean, damn!

Is this love? Like for real? Are we loving like Christ? Yes, Jesus came and spoke difficult truth, but he had compassion for those that wanted to learn. Nicodemus, his own brothers, Saul - they got it right LATE. Like post death late, and yet... or as Paul says, but God.

I know I’m in the minority on this one, but, I am TIRED of people dismissing the work of multiple black women in favor of centering or decentering whiteness. These women don’t deserve to have shade thrown nor do they deserve derision.

@sparrowwomen you NEED to say something is support of your black and brown sisters that have walked and worked with you. They are being dragged! Church, body of Christ, can you pray for the black and brown people that are in churches, faith-based organizations,

theological institutions, homes, businesses, schools, and other places that are working toward truth here? I’m not native to DAL, but as long as I live here, I will challenge whiteness even as I encourage and affirm the black girl magic and black boy joy around me.

I will ask questions, challenge curriculum, create safe spaces for those that need it, and do the hard work, however the Lord chooses. But I will not be okay with the foot ripping the hand a new one when the hand makes a mistake. If we’re body of Christ, then we’re body together.

If we’re family, we’re family. Not rolling over, but not dismissing either. So, those outside the city, keep your distance if you need. Everybody has THAT relative. Living in Dallas? You have your sister’s back. If you wanna @ me, whatever. You wanna call me a sellout, whatever.

Not my concern or burden to carry. My sisters are worth dignifying and celebrating, even when whiteness tries to divide us. #SeminaryInTheCity #ApplauseForBlackWomen