What follows is a post written by Kevin Pringle, an African American pastor and friend of pastor Ronnie’s and Relevant’s. Kevin joined Ronnie on stage in June 2020 to talk about racial reconciliation. You can view that conversation here.
In light of Black History Month, we asked Kevin to answer the question, “How can we—as individuals and as a church—be an ally for people of color, a part of changing culture, when we’re a largely white church in a largely white city?” This is Kevin’s response.
It is an honor to address these thoughts and offer a perspective that may be direct and perhaps harsh. My intentions are not to offend but to provoke; not to incite but to shake; and not to criticize but encourage!
Allow me to begin by erasing the idea of environment being an excuse. When we sanction our statements with “largely white church in a largely white city” we provide justification. Largely white churches and largely white cities are that way intentionally. Many of our nation’s suburban communities were established so white people could move away and be insulated from people of color. “Red Zones” were created in order to make it impossible for people of color, especially African Americans to establish housing in these areas.
In the manner of Elkhorn, the city is a mere arm’s reach from Omaha. Omaha, which has one of the highest African American populations in the country, finds itself economically and socially separated from Elkhorn. In order to become an ally, the same intentionality that was given to isolate must be offered for inclusion. We can no longer afford to convince ourselves that proximity limits us.
In many parts of Africa and India people live in abject poverty without the ability to have clean water for drinking. All of over nation young men and women are being coerced and trapped into sex slavery. My point being, just because it may not be happening in our neighborhood doesn’t mean we aren’t supposed to address it!
The issue of race in our culture has been manipulated into two extremes. First, it has been irresponsibly ignored as if it doesn’t exist or at the least excused as something certain members of culture have never had to deal with; therefore, it gets ignored. Secondly, it gets overblown as if there is a racist under every rock.
In my humble opinion certain ignorance does not mean “racist” nor does my calling it out deem me an extremist. The issue of race is at best uncomfortable to address and I believe that was the intention. If I can place an individual in a category of people that I was taught to disdain, then it inhibits interaction and reconciliation is moot.
However, if I (we) are willing to take a risk and make ourselves uncomfortable for humanity sake then perhaps, we can inspire change. Unfortunately, and historically, it has been the people of color that have had to make themselves uncomfortable just to be considered as an equal. Rosa Parks on a bus had to make herself uncomfortable! Black College students had to make themselves uncomfortable in southern white-owned diners! Martin Luther King made himself uncomfortable to advance Civil Rights! And the ultimate sacrifice, JESUS made Himself uncomfortable in order that we could all be saved!
Hard conversations are never easy. I have been married for over 25 years and it still isn’t easy having a difficult conversation with the woman I love. Yet not having the conversation doesn’t allow the pervasive to go away.
All that to say, we need to talk! We need to chase after the dialogue with our people of color brothers and sister. And in turn we need to take those conversations back to our respective communities and advocate for change and reason. These conversations, these risks, have to be taken and as we take them, we need to consider the cost and ask ourselves, “Is it worth it?”
It will not be worth it if we have a hoarding approach and fear something will be lost, stolen or broken. It will only be worth it if we consider it as an investment for the future of our children and our children’s children!!!
Kevin Pringle
