Confronting systemic oppression, the Black church must decolonize and embrace its roots to advocate for justice and equality.
This article seeks to call the Black church into account and force us to confront the ontological struggle it faces. Before delving into this battle, we must first ask: What is ontology? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, ontology is defined as “1. a branch of metaphysics concerned with the nature and relations of being. 2. a particular theory about the nature of being or the kinds of things that have existence.”
In simpler terms, ontology addresses the ongoing question of what it means to “be.” It challenges us to critically engage with our humanity in a world filled with systemic oppression. It compels us to look inward and identify the reasons behind our struggle to embrace the beauty of Blackness. Thus, we must admit that the Black church is embroiled in an ontological struggle.
The Roots of the Struggle
The Black church struggles ontologically for several reasons. First, it refuses to separate itself from the hegemony of white supremacy. Second, it has failed to stand up for the Black community during times of need. Third, it overuses white theological thought and language. Finally, it has been practically exclusive of our LGBTQ+ siblings.
James Cone, the father of Black liberation theology, once said, “So far, the Black church has remained conspicuously silent, continuing its business as usual. The holding of conferences, the election of bishops, the fund-raising drive for a new building or air conditioner seem to be more important than the Blacks who are shot because they want to be men. The Black church, though spatially located in the community of the oppressed, has not responded to the needs of its people. It has, rather, drained the community, seeking to be more and more like the white church. Its ministers have condemned the helpless and have mimicked the values of whites. For this reason, most Black Power people bypass the churches as irrelevant to their objectives.”
A Call to Decolonize
The Black church cannot afford to mollycoddle the hegemonic forces of whiteness; it must distance itself from them. To do so requires decolonizing the mind and letting go of cherished symbols rooted in whiteness. White Jesus must go. White theological thought must go. Black gospel artists who perpetuate whiteness must go.
This need for decolonization became even more poignant last Wednesday when conservative media personality Charlie Kirk was shot in Utah. While his murder is not something to celebrate, it is also not something to mourn as a political tragedy. Kirk cannot be compared to figures like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. However, it was disheartening to see Black Christians echoing the sentiments of their white counterparts. Even more disappointing was the Black church’s failure to seize the moment to address gun violence in America.
Remembering Our Roots
To reconcile its ontological struggle, the Black church must remember its origins. “The Black church was born in slavery,” and this history should inspire pride and dignity. The future of the Black church depends on how it responds to figures like Donald Trump and how it amplifies its voice for the Black community.
Do we want the legacy of the Black church to be tarnished by tepid preachers, or do we want to leave a rich legacy of being a voice for the voiceless? The Black church must apply the teachings of Jesus to social action and justice. Its survival and relevance depend on its ability to rise to this challenge.
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