In This Lifetime

Two weeks ago, I learned of the passing of one of my teachers from the Center for Action and Contemplation, Dr. Barbara Holmes. Known to us as Dr. B, she was the author of several important books including: Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church; Race and the Cosmos: An Invitation to View the World Differently; and Crisis Contemplation: Healing the Wounded Village. With her passing, I have been pondering the influence of her work on what is mine to do. I will write more about this later.

As a little girl in a black body in the United States of America, my childhood included a recognition of the fact that my birth happened less than a century after the end of chattel slavery. I could not imagine how different my lived experience would have been had I been born in 1858. For the life of me, my young mind could not grasp how a nation espousing “that all men are created equal” could fall so short of this ideal. My childhood was a period of hope as our nation was challenged by a number of movements demanding equality, justice, and full citizenship.

I have never understood why so many people in white bodies claimed to be fearful of black bodies. It was their ancestors who sailed to a foreign land to kidnap, dehumanize and enslave my ancestors in black bodies. Those who dared to resist were murdered. We must remember also how those indigenous to this land were dehumanized and murdered.

Why did they distort Sacred Scripture to create the lies of white supremacy and privilege? Since the end of chattel slavery, it is baffling to consider why so many created and supported systems to sustain their blasphemous lies. Sadly, these lies have a capacity to shape-shift, infiltrate and thrive throughout and across our nation much like a virus. As a Catholic Christian, it is disheartening to acknowledge that our faith communities, whether Catholic or Protestant, are not immune. Christian nationalism is a byproduct.

There are too many “good” people in white bodies seemingly oblivious to the reality of which I speak. They repeat the dominant narrative with no curiosity to enter the discomfort needed to liberate themselves. Not discussing faith or politics protects the status quo.

Much has changed for the good since my childhood. We as a people, as a nation, have witnessed amazing growth. I would be remiss not to mention how far we must go to move closer to our ideals. It may be possible that the senseless murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many others have stirred the sacred curiosity and righteous anger of some of my siblings in white bodies. For others, like myself, these murders call me to impact change. My instrument is writing.

A native of Alabama, I know well the history of people who struggled and died that I, a citizen of the United States of America, may exercise my right and duty to vote. Yes, it is my right as a citizen. As one who appreciates the work of my ancestors who faced voter suppression, humiliation and even death for wanting to vote, it is my duty. In this my lifetime, I am called to participate in this our civic society, not for Leslye alone, but for the betterment of society.