So a quick-ish thread on another example of the inability of people across the idealogical spectrum in the Adventist Church to discuss issues of race/racism in a way that centers the voices of POC. Copying @AWWritesStories, @Jason_A_Hines, @spectrummag & @WeAre_ATW here. 1/
I want to start by saying there is often a built in assumption that when I and others lament the difficulty of having even basic conversations about racism with our white brothers and sisters (not saying all, please bear with me), we r only referring to conservatives. 2/
Well I am here to tell you that our frustration is bipartisan, and the challenges that many Adventist’s face in having this dialogue is not unique to conservatives or Trump supporters. It frustratingly includes people who consider themselves “woke”(i personally hate that term) 3/
My brother @JeremiahSepolen posted a pretty basic comment in the “I support the Ordination of Women” Facebook page bringing up the intersectionality between the fight for equity for women clergy and the fight against racism (anti-racism). The admin’s deleted the post. 4/
Jeremiah was confused and asked for an explanation. Screencaps of the back and forth that ensued are included, including him quoting his original post. Several of us jumped in the comments to support Jeremiah and ask for clarity.This post was also eventually deleted by admins. 5/ 
Someone who is presumably an admin provided this “explanation.” He essentially suggested that @JeremiahSepolen and others of us take our comments on race/racism elsewhere. Jeremiah posted a separate post in the group lamenting their decisions. I and others weighed in. 6/
U may be wondering why I am tweeting about this.1) This is a platform on which I can be sure that my comments wont get deleted.2) I’m very frustrated, not surprised, but frustrated. 3) I believe that this is a conversation worth having, but not with people who are close minded.7/
It appears that there are no safe places for people of color to discuss the issues of racism in this country and in our church. It could be brought up in the most basic way possible, and some significant number of white people (just stating facts here) clam up and shut it down.8/
At the same time, black people are constantly told that in order for everything to get better with race relations, we have to sit down and talk. I’m all for dialogue (literally my job), but at what cost? How many more times do we have to have the same exact scenario play out? 9/
In sum, it doesn’t matter if it’s a “conservative” or “liberal” platform - there sadly continues to be no truly safe place in our church for black people, and other concerned people of color to be themselves, and to sincerely address issues that matter to them. 10/
I wish I could tell you that I am optimistic that it will get better, but right now I am not. I’ll also say that it is sad (not surprising) that POC who have been conditioned to believe in their inferiority are being used as tools to try to silence us. Happy New Year. 11/11.
UPDATE: All of the posts seeking clairification are either being deleted or getting comments disabled. So I guess you can only be a part of the FB group if you don’t talk about race. U definitely can’t point out the historical/biblical inaccuracies of the white jesus X-Mas posts
I’m sure this has already been deleted.
