It’s funny how, when Black people leave toxic church spaces we are the ones called “divisive.” We always have to bear the weight of judgment and have to explain ourselves.

When you see Black people leaving a predominantly white church space en masse, you should be asking...
Why are so many people walking away? Why are their stories all similar or exactly the same? Why is this not being addressed by leadership? Why does it feel like it’s being swept under the rug? Why is Black folks’ departure deemed as their issue or fault?
Why does the leadership of my church or organization only take the slightest of responsibility (if any at all)? Why do the sermons end teaching in my church seem to change for a season directly after departures? Why are the Black folks who remain given promotions or visibility?
I have observed a pattern of behavior around Black folks leaving white Christian institutions.

There’s a lot of folks who leave who won’t make public (or private) comment about their departure. Often it’s out of fear of what opportunities that it could cost them.
This allows the institution to shape the narrative around the departure and make it seem more amicable than it actually was. I’ve seen this pattern multiple times.
Another pattern of behavior that I’ve observed is when people are vocal about their departure, they are cast as being bitter or not willing to “play ball” in the institution’s effort. They are cast as being a problem and seen as being destructive.
The institution is able to blame shift and make it about the person’s tone and to cast them as angry and unwilling to cooperate and appreciate all that the institution is “done.”
Occasionally and institution might do a soft mea culpa. They might talk about all the work that they “have to do,” but still continue to lay the blame squarely on Black people for leaving the toxic place.
In summary, until white Christian leaders directly address and redress the issues in their institutions, Black folks will continue to leave. Until white leaders see the departure of Black people as a critique and not an attack, they will continue to perpetuate cycles of harm.
Additionally, Black people need to get out of these spaces. They are not safe. We don’t need to die on the cross for white folks’ racial sins. There needs to be accountability and healing. We don’t have to be in their churches to bring conciliation and healing.
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More from @thearmchaircom

16 Jan
So the Chipmunks movie where they’re in a ballon race with the Chippettes and there’s a baby penguin they’re taking to it’s mother. There is a specific scene that gets me. I literally only ever saw the movie once then a couple years ago the clip circulated and it destroyed me.
Also, the Brave little toaster was a lot for me TBH.
I know that the question was as a kid, but no cap Toy Story 3 upset me so badly. From the very beginning. I fought fears the whole movie and when it got to the end I cried. I literally wept leaving the theater while all the kids there were happy. Still can’t watch it.
Read 4 tweets
16 Jan
As someone who has embraced a more progressive and “liberal” part of the Christian tradition, I can fully attest that this is true. I’m sure that some of my friends who knew me at a different part of life feel that o have changed. But no.
I went to seminary at an institution that I would not consider at all progressive, though I had many professors who were. But I learned how to read and understand scripture in a much different and healthier way in seminary.
I didn’t lose faith or orthodoxy. I learned even more how to think and how to be a Christian. I learned so much.

I am so thankful for the opportunities I’ve had to think about and explore my faith.
Read 6 tweets
14 Jan
Ok, dream interpretation folks. I have had a couple of dreams that I’m pretty sure are Holy Ghost dreams, but I have not trusted myself to interpret them. So I’m going to throw it out there.

And I’m tagging @TheAmberPicota and @isierranichole since y’all be knowing
So first of all, I had a dream where I was at a church that I used to attend (one I left re: racism and misogynoir) and I was called on to be part of a panel. I was in the church but it was like I was zooming myself onto the panel. I didn’t know why I was there but I was.
The pastor was there ans they were talking about having “courageous conversations” but I didn’t feel like I really got to speak. So then the scene changed and I was in an old house that was being renovated.

A current friend of mine was helping to renovate the house.
Read 10 tweets
14 Nov 20
So I’m going to share some of by banned/censored cartoon stuff with y’all. This thread will contain clips and stuff so be warned. I don’t know why I’m going this but somehow my brain is here so that’s where we’re going tonight until I get too creeped or tired to keep on.
So you might be asking, “Why is she into this? That’s a weird hobby.” IT IS.

I have Whoopi Goldberg to thank. There was a contest and of Hollywood Squares who said this was his hobby and she told him to look up Coal Black and the Sebben Dwarfs.
I was in high school at the time and it sparked an interest for me. This was before YouTube and I spent a LOOONG time looking for this cartoon (beyond descriptions) online.

This is the version of it that’s on YT rn. I’m goi f to comb through my files and see if I have it all.
Read 34 tweets
14 Nov 20
Let me try this again. So I’m watching the Looney Tunes Golden collection tonight on shuffle and this cartoon came up. It’s called “Old Glory.”
This cartoon came out in 1939, two months ti the day before Germany invaded Poland and WWII began. Of course there had been all kinds of cussery going on in Germany before that, but it’s notable that this cartoon came out when it did.
If you didn’t, I invite you to watch the cartoon. Look at it’s telling of American history. Look at who it centers (and who it leaves out and erases).
Read 4 tweets
13 Nov 20
I’ve been sitting here freezing for probs the last hour. I finally turned on both the heater and the “fireplace,” my fancy space heater that is where my fireplace goes...it looks like a fireplace.

I love Chicago but the cold is gonna take me out.
And before y’all come in here. I KNOW it gets colder.

I need y’all to also understand that 41° in Chicago ain’t the same 41° that I had in Virginia.

I would literally be wearing flip flops today if I were still there. I miss it so much.
To clarify, I didn’t wear flip flops in 41° weather in VA. It just didn’t feel as cold.

Missouri 41° is cold, but it’s not this Lake Michigan cold.
Read 5 tweets

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