1. Yes, critical race theory can operate as an analytical tool, but it is absolutely insufficient as a worldview. I’ve avoided writing on the subject (though I lecture on it regularly) b/c of all the misrepresentations & ignorance coming out of evangelicalism. It’s exhausting.
2. That’s kinda the thing. You have white Christians, even pastors, calling all these faithful black Christians “Marxists” & “racists” out of either ignorance or to cover their own racism & it makes those who could faithfully engage w/ this issue tap out & go focus elsewhere.
3. Tho I do not believe “CRT” is a greater or even equal threat to the church as white supremacy & Christian Nationalism, I do have strong concerns about some of the language I’ve been hearing lately by many black Christians. Especially when it comes to define “racism”.
4. One of the arguments out of CRT is that black people can’t be racist. The idea is that racism is systemic & it “requires prejudice plus power”. It goes on to postulate that since black people do not have systemic power, they can’t be racist, only prejudice. This is so flawed.
5. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard black people espouse racist speech towards white people, only to justify themselves by saying, “no, I can’t be racist, just prejudice”. That’s not how racism works, even if we grant the new definition of it CRT seeks to establish.
6. If we define racism as “prejudice + power” which is a def I take issue w/, but will grant to make point; there is a radical diff b/t saying “black people can’t be systemically racist” vs “black people can’t be racist”. Latter requires a truncated conception of power dynamics.
7. We all have power tho we all may not have kinds of power that can impact systemic realities. Words are power which is why verbal abuse is real. Our bodies can be powerful, that’s why physical abuse is real. There are a multitude of different kinds of power beyond “systemic”.
8. Black people, white people, all people have the ability to weaponize whatever power they have & wield it against another in a way that’s fueled by prejudice. Imo, & I know I’ll get flack for this, This re-categorizing if power that’s taking place is deeply unhelpful...
9. Now I understand why it’s appealing. It’s appealing b/c black people are tired of the gaslighting white people regularly do. We are tired of racist white people calling us racist simply for pointing out their racism or even uttering the word “white”. I understand that 100%.
10. Black Hebrew Israelites, fueled by prejudice, weaponize the power of words & faith against white people, they are racist. Black people who recently attacked an Asian person via “Covid” was fueled by prejudice & weaponized the power of their fists, they were racist.
11. My field is historical theology, I study the develop & impact of theological & philosophical ideas. I am a theologian & counselor, I’m content staying in my lanes. I don’t use CRT as an analytical tool, but no shade to those who do, but I use history, theology, & scripture.
12. For those who do seek to use it to analyze racial power dynamics, it is important to understand it is a *theory*. It presents theories of power dynamics & not absolute truths. Feel free to engage, but recognize every “theory” must stand under the scrutiny of God’s word.✌🏽❤️
13 finally, dear white person, if you weaponize this thread to silence other Black people or as a “gotcha thread” towards other Black people who use the language I’m critiquing; you are absolutely part of the problem. This is more of an “in house” convo. Don’t be that person. ❤️
14. Further thought, there is a difference b/t white supremacy & reactionary “racism”. The racism a marginalized group expresses towards individuals, especially those who belong to a group that has historically opressed them, is not equal to the racism (WS) of original group.
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