1. THREAD: One white guy’s thoughts on why it is important to say that Black Lives Matter right now. Black lives matter because every black person is made in the image of God.
2. Black lives matter because they are beautiful & vital parts of God’s creation & our communities & our families & our churches. Black lives matter & they are wanted and needed in our daily lives and for the good of this world. It is important to say so right now.
3. Black lives matter. Of course ALL lives matter. But black lives have been under particular, peculiar, systemic pressure & threat & harm & subject to unjust treatment in this country for so long. Whites should read @DavidAFrench’s recent article for help seeing systemic racism.
4. Black lives matter. This feels like a fresh moment to address the systemic harming of black people in our nation. Spare me stats & talking pts about why anti-black discrimination isn’t a thing. Have a conversation w enough actual black people & you will see that it IS a thing.
5. Black lives matter. White people like me, protected & propelled by many layers of social support mechanisms unavailable to most black people, should confront our own sinful attitudes & words while better leveraging our voices & resources to help change the situation.
6. Black lives matter. It is important for me to say so b/c the little part of the world that is listening to my voice needs to hear me say it. The black people in my little church need to hear me say it so they can believe that I am for them & at their side & on their side.
7. Black lives matter. The white people in my circle of influence need to hear me say it so they can be encouraged to say the same thing.
8. Black lives matter. The one problem with this phrase is that it has been branded by an organized movement with a worldview & policy prescriptions in conflict with my values & worldview. I do not align with the BLM website/organization.
9. Black lives matter. One reason I disagree w the BLM website is they want to defund the police. Ridiculous. Spare me the explainers on what that “really” means. We NEED police officers that protect ALL lives with integrity & bravery.
9. Black lives matter. I am grateful for voices of black men I don’t personally know that help me see the importance of saying so. Preacher voices like @ThabitiAnyabwil, @pastoremase, @DerwinLGray, @Drtonyevans, & @pastordmac. There are others.
10. Black lives matter. I am grateful for voices of people I do know that speak into my life. Voices like @proverbialman, @kirrakelly, @smithbaptist, @mikekelsey. There are others. Black brothers & sisters help me see blind spots in my own life & family & ministry. I need them.
11. Black live matter. My Christianity requires that I say it and try to live so that it is true in every place where I have influence. I love Jesus. Jesus died for black lives. Heck, I’m sure Jesus has skin a lot blacker than mine.
12. Black lives matter. So what you hear in this thread is not self-hatred or white guilt. What you hear is one guy saying what my faith and friendships demand in this moment. Words are not enough. But everyone has to start somewhere. Black lives matter.
