Black Christian Folks and the Assault on the U.S. Capitol
By Rev. Arionne Yvette Williams, Contributing Writer
The events of January 6th will remain forever etched in our hearts and minds. In the past several days we have seen a variety of leaders, journalists, ministers, politicians, family, friends, people we know, and those that we don’t both react and respond to its events. We could say many things about all that led up to the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol or the drastically different reaction the rioters received from law enforcement as contrasted with Black Lives Matter protesters. And several people have— on print and television news media outlets, blogs, and social media platforms alike. But I wonder what might be important for the Black church to consider as we reflect on this moment in history?
One of the most important things to note about the rioters and their violent, shameful behavior is that for weeks leading up to January 6th and in the hours and moments immediately before they breached the capitol, they were influenced and encouraged to act by several so-called leaders. Donald Trump, chief among said leaders, directed and commanded that these people unlawfully and violently work to overturn the election—at any cost. According to Congress, he incited an insurrection. Despite how poorly executed and unproductive it was, it was planned, initiated and commissioned by leadership— admittedly awful, immoral and unethical leadership, but leadership all the same. And as I listen to so many Americans go on Facebook rants, register our complaints to our friends and family expressing our righteous indignation, I think we ought to pause and be more reflective, more introspective and honest with ourselves about what we have witnessed.
This almost feels the same way we feel when reading some of the ugly, painful, shocking stories of the Bible. It is so easy to smirk at the foolish behavior of the Israelites of antiquity, or be appalled by the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, or notice the occasional cowardice of the disciples and criticize them. But what matters most is that we use this moment in history to reflect upon who we are and what we can do. Just like when we read the Biblical text in order to enrich our faith and love of God and neighbor, the point is not to consider the misactions of others, but rather to determine what the text is calling us to do. How will we respond? If we were reading the “The Gospel According to January 6th at the U.S. Capitol” what would it say to us? How does it challenge us? How does it beckon us to action or to prayer or to stillness? And how might we respond faithfully to this experience and leave wisdom for future generations? Fifty years from now what will they write about us? Will they be proud of us? Will they find a roadmap for their own lives, inspiration for how to cope with their own crises?
To be clear, I am not suggesting that this is Black people’s fight to take on; we need not insert ourselves in the war between white supremacists groups and the U.S. government. Black activist Tamika Mallory tweeted, in a brilliant shot at Donald Trump, that Black folks should “stand back and stand by”—invoking the president’s apparent dog whistle to white hate groups during the September 29th presidential debate. But as we do so how are we preparing ourselves, our children, our families, and our communities both spiritually, emotionally, socially, politically? Are we making sure to teach our history to our children? Are we having the necessary and difficult conversations with friends or loved ones with whom we disagree? Following the example of Stacey Abrams, are we making sure our extended networks are registered to vote and prepared to engage in the political process for the long haul? Or are we aligning with the words of rapper Killer Mike: plot, plan, mobilize, and strategize. Like Jesus, are we committing ourselves to cycles of prayer, fasting, and rest? What are we preaching and teaching? Are we going to therapy or scheduling Zoom chats with our small groups to process all we have experienced? How will we as the church strategically respond to this moment? And not merely react? Historically, the Black Church was the center of our movements for freedom. How do we reclaim and reimagine that in 2021?
More pointedly, what might the Lord be saying to each of us personally? For me? I know I must engage in some uncomfortable conversations with some Christian white folks I know and love, tell them how I feel, and begin a dialogue about race and faith in our country. That’s my commitment and I hope to share what that experience was like the next time I write. Until then, may we all take good care of ourselves and each other as we start taking fruitful next steps forward. May the blessing of the Lord be upon us all and give us peace. Amen.
Rev. Arionne Yvette Williams is an ordained elder in the A.M.E. Zion Church and the author of The Women of the Bible and You: A Weekly Devotional and Love Like I’ve Never Been Hurt: How To Heal From Heartbreak. She currently serves as an Associate Chaplain at the University of Indianapolis. You can connect with her at ArionneYvette.com.
