The History ot Reperations. Why is this such a difficult conversation?

In my lifetime it’s been so strange to see such heated debate over simply paying restitution. Only conclusion I’ve come to is the dehumanization of Black people for 400 years has conceptually made this impossible for our society.

Also, I think it has to do with the way history has been shared. If we as a society believe that emancipation and desegregation ended racism largely, then it makes sense that nothing else is owed but ending those systems. But it doesn’t reflect the acts nor damage caused.

We need to relearn history as adults, not 10 years with no concept of structural & human damage.

And lastly, here’s why Evangelicals and specifically the SBC owes Black Americans more than a statement and lament. Their institutions were birth in robbery of actually wages and terror of black people for almost 2 centuries. https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2018/12/12/southern-baptist-conventions-flagship-seminary-admits-all-four-its-founders-owned-slaves/

A hug, confession, and call for unity would be sufficient if the offense were simply a disagreement of opinion. Black people in America have literally been robbed of actual wages for 3 centuries & the Evangelical church has been just as complicit as the secular society.

I say this in love, may the church lead in more than performative gestures and virtual signaling so that the name of God may be glorified in the world.

I can make restitution super simple for the church:

-Fund Minority owned businesses and charities so that they are able to operate in a way that thrives apart from being under umbrella of your struture. As they serve the kingdom

-Change your Board Members/Decision makers

And please don’t pretend to not understand systems or that you can’t do this. We all know you’ve consistently organized and funded Pro-life lobbyist since the 80’s.

If you are unable to make such a structural decision due to racism embedded in God’s church:

Black leaders will make it known that Black people need to totally divest from your institutions.

And a receipt: If you don’t owe Black people financial compensation. Why did the government give you reparations for emancipation? https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/16/opinion/when-slaveowners-got-reparations.html