23 Comments

Hello, Dr. Sider!

Thank you for your blog. I have found it very encouraging and helpful during this election season.

Since you asked for our input, I would like to give some! 🙂 I taught in Philadelphia for 10 years after which I co-founded a non-profit for the neighborhood public middle/high school where I taught. I obtained my Ph.D. in Education with a focus on Applied Linguistics and now teach pre-service teachers. I would like to recommend a bit of revision for the paragraph on education:

"We confess as white evangelicals that our children have often benefited from educational opportunity not available to many African-American and Latino children. We know that the education available in poor, largely minority, urban school districts is much poorer than the education available in more wealthy, largely white, suburban school districts."

First, I'm wondering about the focus on African-American and Latino children. Maybe children and youth of color would be better? Or "minoritized children and youth"? Or include immigrant children and youth? One aspect of racism that I've encountered is that it pits minoritized groups against each other. One form of this racism is the "Model Minority Myth" that lumps all Asians together and declares that they are successful and not affected by racism. In fact, many Asian children and youth (e.g., Vietnamese, Cambodian) also do not have access to equitable educational opportunities.

Second, I'd encourage you to use the word "minoritized" rather than "minority."

Third, I would argue that it's not the education itself that is poor. In fact, urban teachers are doing more with less! The issue is more complex than your statement suggests. It is not a clear "urban education bad, suburban education good" dichotomy. Instead, I would focus on funding formulas that value the education of white, suburban children and youth over the education of minoritized children and youth in urban areas. I think the term "under-resourced" rather than good or bad/poor is helpful.

Fourth, I would argue that minoritized children and youth in ALL schools, regardless of whether the schools are rich, poor, urban, suburban, private, or public, have less equitable educational opportunities. Two quick examples: (a) Minoritized children and youth are less likely to be recruited for gifted and talented programs and more likely to be placed in special education programs. (b) Their home culture and language (or dialect of English) are likely to be viewed as deficient compared to their white, monolingual English-speaking peers.

Finally, I think the paragraph absolves the white evangelical from their personal role in this. Most white parents actively seek out white-dominate educational opportunities for their children. We, as white evangelicals, have and continue to play a significant role in the segregation of schools in the United States.

I hope this is helpful! I think it is a worthwhile challenge to craft a concise statement while maintaining the needed nuance, and I appreciate your leadership in this.

Sincerely,

Brooke Hoffman

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This is well written. There are some instances where different wording may be better. For example, "acknowledge" rather than "confess" might be better - specifically when acknowledging instances of the past (e.g., Native Americans and slavery). As you said in Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, God holds the people who committed the sin, not their children, responsible for it. If you want to use the word "confess" it might be better to use it in the sense that we confess that we have been apathetic in regards to this past harm. It could be worded in a way that says we "acknowledge" these past wrongs and we "confess" that we have been apathetic about them and the ongoing harm that they still cause.

It might also be a good idea to acknowledge that we will likely not see eye to eye on all things with our brothers in Christ of different races. For example, I believe that there are many evangelicals (myself among them) who are eager to support movements like Black Lives Matter but who are hesitant because of other things that they stand for (e.g., pro choice advocacy, the breakdown of the nuclear family, etc). An acknowledgement of this may help encourage many evangelicals to stand with the message of this statement, because I also believe that many evangelicals have felt attacked as racists because they would not fully embrace movements like Black Lives Matter for the reasons mentioned above.

I hope that this is helpful.

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I would agree with almost everything in your declaration except for the paragraph that implies that police shootings are motivated by racism. Heather MacDonald has done an excellent job in analyzing the data and refuting the this incorrect statement. Please listen to this YouTube podcast that clearly shows that violent crime determines fatal police shootings and not racial population. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_daDiI2M_c

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This is an excellent statement. It is important that you describe specific examples of structural racism, because most evangelicals -- in fact, most Americans of all types -- have no idea of this history of institutional policies and structures that supported racism and continue to hinder progress in the Black community.

I think the use of the word "structures" in the paragraph beginning "We confess that in more recent decades . . ." will cause some evangelicals to stop reading right there and dismiss this before they get to your evidence, which follows in the subsequent paragraphs. I suggest that you lay out that evidence first, and then use the word "structural" afterwards (as you do), because then it becomes clear that the racism in our society is indeed structural and not just personal.

I applaud your effort to take a lead on this issue, which is the defining issue of our time. If we cannot feel the pain of our black and brown brothers and sisters in Christ, if we cannot see how our silence and token efforts continue to grieve them, if we cannot appreciate that when one part of the Body of Christ grieves, Christ himself grieves, then we are failing a fundamental directive of our Lord to be one in Him. The church must act. This statement is a small but valuable step forward.

Thank you, Ron!

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Thank you engaging in this important work that the Lord calls us to. One curious and quick question: have you shared this statement with people of color whom you know and trust? I have realized in the past years that I have ways of understanding and wording things that might need correction or nuance from a fellow believer who is different than me (and not just politically).

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Ron, thank you for taking initiative on this topic. I really believe this is something that the church needs to come together on. Full transparency, I voted for Trump in each election even after reading your book on "Spiritual Dangers of Donald Trump" (we traded letters this summer) - but that is for a separate discussion. I mention my voting record simply for others on the string to let them know that I am also supportive of this goal as many others in the "82 camp" are. Secondly, I have strongly chastised many Trump supporters for their words, attitudes and actions towards others. Another subject for another time.

So as to the declaration. At a strategic level I think you will get a much broader coalition if the focus was more forward looking i.e. We have come together for the purpose of healing and here are the 10 things we support working on e.g. improved schools, improved community relations with police etc. I think acknowledgement of wrongs is important but confessing the laundry list I think is problematic for many because it paints a broad brush on many who have not contributed to the problems. For example my ancestors were part of the abolition movement and put their lives on the line to end slavery. I had a number in my lineage who fought for the Union army - one with his name on a monument at Gettysburg. I could go on through the generations. Secondly, there are serious problems not with the spirit of the Black Lives Matters movement but with their manifesto. Third, there are some serious leaps and gaps in evaluating the systemic problems that have not been dealt with honestly in the public discourse. One is the honest evaluation around police confrontations. I believe one of your responders mentions the research by Helen Mac Donald. Another is that maybe the biggest issue is the fact that 73% of African American children are born out of wedlock and typically are raised without a male figure in the home. How should we come alongside to address that issue? I don't have the answer but it is critical to any future success.

Want to help. Hope my comments were not offensive. I want to live out Eph 4:1-3 Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called

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Ron, thank you for taking the lead on this. I am a white evangelical Christian living in San Diego, California and I have been attacked for holding the view that we must take responsibility and action for our silence and participation in the crimes of racism in our history and in this present day. I joined Pro-Life Evangelicals for Biden and was told that I was not a real Christian. I voted for Biden and was told that I was actually following Satan but was ignorant to that truth. I am bringing this up because as I forward your messages to as many Christians as I know, the responses are becoming more and more entrenched in conspiracy theories, "deep state" and the idea that Trump was appointed by God. 81-82% of white evangelicals are firmly planted in this thinking, and from my view I see it worsening. I really believe that it is not enough for me to keep sending out emails to Christians I know, and local "on-the-ground" efforts are needed to reach these forces of white evangelicals who are convinced that systemic racism does not exist and is a lie told by the deep state in order to take away their rights. Those of us who are in the 18% need help. I believe it is up to us to steer the Church to unity and to model to the world the teachings of our Lord Jesus. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control should be at the root of all we do. If we would just apply these to issues like racism we can help bring social justice into reality by simply being obedient Christ followers. But we need help and I am at a loss over what to do.

I was so grateful to find you and dare to hope that we have a shot at bridging the divide in the Church. I wrote to your organization and asked what I could do here in San Diego. I am not a community organizer and I am not politically savvy. I am a follower of Jesus who has been weeping (literally) over the hardened hearts around me.

I am ready to sign, support, promote all that you are doing. But what can I do here in San Diego, actually DO, to help move us all in the direction of Jesus. I am still weeping.

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I would like to add that I agree with Carter below and have much personal experience with evangelicals becoming infuriated when they believe they are being blamed for the sins of our ancestors. I think "acknowledge" instead of "confess" might help them move past that. But we do need to repent from our silence and participation and confess that as our own sin. I don't think many are ready to look at that.

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This is a great start, Ron, on a topic that has far too long remained unaddressed in the majority of the church at large. In the first paragraph of the pledge you list out several different groups and they are all xxx-American (i.e. African-American, Latino-American, etc.). I think it's important to pledge support for ALL people of every tribe and nation regardless of whether they are American. There are many living in our borders that are not technically American but still should be protected against racism. I also agree with some of the others who have commented on expanding more on injustices against other groups like Native Americans.

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This statement should include Native Americans and other minorities who have been discriminated against, not just African Americans. We also need to look at attitudes towards each other. Evangelicals on all sides need to remember and practice the two most important commandments in the Bible - love God and love one another (including our enemies).

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Praise The Lord for your willingness to confront and tackle this issue!

Being African-American, it is refreshing to see white brother's and sisters make an honest attempt to right the wrongs of their ancestors, present family and friends. And have the fortitude to join The Holy Spirit urging them to react to what is clearly wrong, just as much as the murder of children. God said in His word 'the least you've done to these you have also done to me.' And "how can you say you love me who you haven't seen, but hate your brother who you do see?"

Thank you again brother Ron for this attempt to DO something. As an African-American I hear too many times the lip service from evangelical-America "we love you" ,but no action to bear my burden with me. I think it would be great if your vow included: "when I hear someone talk about these communities (African-Americans, Latino- Americans, Native-Americans, Asian-Americans, the white working poor and LGBTQ) that is not in an uplifting manner, I will challenge that person's thinking to consider their own actions and words. Are they in line with God's word? When someone talks about the horrible act of abortion, I will ask what our plan is as a church/organization to help these children and their parents unite and thrive as contributing members of society. I will use my knowledge and resources, as long as it is Not overbearing on my own household, to help. We will be just as dogmatic and systematic in seeing that these families are given the proper access to education and equal treatment as we were about ensuring their birth. We will follow God's word to the best of the power that works in us, even if it means losing family members and status, as Jesus said."

Brother's and sisters, I Love You ALL (1 Corinthians 13) and truly mean it. I pray for your endeavor and our church.

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This is a great start. At the early part of the confession, you encompass all Major minority groups,

Then later you describe specific injustices only for African Americans. I don’t know if you should take each group separately? But when you mention native Americans at the top, but only mention housing discrimination with blacks, it’s kind of glaring to leave out native Americans who were pushed out of not just Neighborhoods or communities, but forced to move to the most barren wastelands in our country

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Thank you. I have one suggestion to offer. I’d suggest changing “We confess as white evangelical Americans that we have played” to something like “We confess as white evangelical Americans that our movement has played...” Reason: Some will not get by these words to read the rest of this because their “personal” defenses will immediately go up, that defense mechanism that says, “But I’m not racist. I’ve done nothing.” Again, thanks for your efforts and may God continue to bless your ministry and influence.

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I would also like to suggest that your declaration state that racial reconciliation is not about power as the Blacklivesmattter advocate. Prominent black scholars state very clearly that systemic racism is not about bigotry, but about obtaining power. Christ would never have advocated that power be our goal. Our goal must first and foremost be true reconciliation based on forgiveness and love. Then with that foundation we can work together to level the playing field by seeking justice for all. If we are focused on taking power from one group and giving it to another then we won't end racism. It will just be perpetuated by the group that ends up on top.

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I am grateful for your laying the groundwork, a framework, for uniting white evangelicals under a single banner for racial justice!

There are so many incidents that could be added to the confessions: but one I would add would be allowing the removal of federal forces from the South after the early progress of former slaves taking hold of their freedom! We allowed the state to abandon them to white supremacists

and the KKK! To me, that was the cruelest moment in a long list of cruel ones to follow!

Thank you for this good start. I look forward to signing the finished product!

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For Ron Sider:

I am a big fan of your book, and the aptly named “Evangelicals for Social Action.” I read the book at lunchtime during the summer of 1978 or 1979, and I donated a substantial amount to ESA between 1980 and around 2003, when I heard you speak at Harvard.

I’d be glad to help revise this statement into something Republicans could willingly sign. But I’m not sure you’re entirely willing to make these emendations:

The main threats to African American welfare stem from the largely well meaning attempts of white liberals to help them. Read Thomas Sowell, Jason Riley, and many others. The War on Poverty interrupted the progress that African Americans were making on their own following WWII. During this period of economic growth, African American poverty rates decreased, and fatherlessness was similar to that of other ethnic groups. The net affect of the WoPov. was a soaring rate of fatherlessness and its attendant misery, close to 70%, as another person posted. Poverty is endemic in most inner city communities, all of them with Democratic mayors. Multiple generations grow up without a significant connection to someone with a real job. The non-white electorate seems to have figured this out: rates of voting by non-whites for Republicans have returned to their 1960 level of around 25%. According to one poll, from 2016 to 2020 African American males doubled their rate of R voting to around 14%. AA females from 4% to 8%

Any violence by police based on skin color is unacceptable, but the media have not reported accurately on this: See Glenn Loury and another Harvard researcher, an African American who wrote in the WSJ. The most common threat of deadly violence to African Americnas comes from other inner city males, not from the police.

If you really intend to revise the document, I’ll attempt the arduous task of working the above into “signable” form. But I”m afraid what you unthinkingly intend is for us to unite around the failed Democratic policies of the past, and I’m not going to do that. I do wish President-elect Biden well, and hope he has the wisdom to work with Republicans to eviscerate the violent, anti-Christian wing of his party. There are many common goals shared by truly moderate Democrats and mainstream Republicans. These will benefit African Americans and society as a whole. But the ungodly, family destroying aims of the organization “Black Lives Matter” will only spread the misery of the inner city to the entire country, while enriching and empowering the elite of the Progressive Democrats and Socialists.

Sincerely, Darrell Hartwick

(I lived in Allston and Brighton during most of my years contributing to ESA. Look up the records, please! I left a large check on the podium after you spoke at Harvard, perhaps 2002. You called me on the phone, seeking a contribution the next year, during which I became unemployed. Please pardon all these references to money, but, as a supporter, I am truly saddened that you seem to have followed the Democrats as they moved relentlessly to the Left in recent years.)

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