Immediately after the killing of Charlie Kirk, many African American Christians expressed their dismay, their indifference or their support for what happened to the controversial figure.
Many Christians were surprised to read comments that revealed the views of those who they thought held beliefs similar to their own. However, these kinds of debates have always been present throughout Black church history.
The assassination also exposed tensions dealing with the question of how Black Christians should relate to our oppressors. What should our relationship with white supremacy look like through the lens of our faith?
It’s a timely question, not just because of Kirk’s well-known racist and sexist views but also because of the spread of authoritarianism in this country and presidential policies that promote white supremacy.
This is not the time for church as usual.
Black churches that choose silence or positions that accommodate authoritarianism run the risk of opening the door wider to even greater harm to the Black community and the nation.
Ministers who preach sermons that say nothing related to the suffering of our people, the plight of the poor and the barrage of atrocities being done around the world in our name are sending the message that what we’re witnessing is normal or worse — something that God sanctions.
We need to embrace the kinds of theologies and practices of ministry that meet this particular moment. That begins with an unapologetic Christian view of Black freedom and power.
Our ministries should reflect a serious commitment to fighting authoritarianism and investing/building the communal infrastructure that Black America needs to care for itself. They should respond to the housing, food, clothing, health, employment and economic needs of our people.
Black America needs Black churches to recognize this time as the national emergency that it is and launch ministry initiatives rooted in a liberatory interpretation of our faith while focusing on freedom, justice and communal self-help.
Rev. Dr. Heber Brown, III is an author, community organizer, and founder of The Black Church Food Security Network.
