News

A Theology For Reparations

Published

5 years ago

July 27, 2019

There are roughly 14 million African Americans in this country, and we all cannot sit in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. But we can talk about reparations in the one space where white people have relatively left us alone, and that is in the church.

In the Bible there is a story concerning a community of people that was displaced by an oppressive empirical construct. The Egyptian government enslaved a group of people from the Hebrew nation.

The historical backdrop was centered around a man named Moses, who grew up in the Egyptian White House and had mastered the Egyptian culture.

However, Moses had a date with destiny, and the Zeitgeist of liberty was draped across his mantle. As the journey moved forward, Moses, under the divine unction of Jehovah God, was empowered to lead the people to the “Promised Land.”

Once there, they would be allowed to fulfill a self-sustaining prophecy that would restore their nation and make them whole once again. I read in the book of Joshua that, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you..”

I return to our discussion for and against reparations. We must continue to press this discussion.

But where do we need to continue this discussion?

I believe that we have had a lot of comments from people at the top. However, if reparations are to become a reality, then we need to have more discussions about reparations from people at the bottom.

There are roughly 14 million African Americans in this country, and we all cannot sit in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. But we can talk about reparations in the one space where White people have relatively left us alone, and that is in the church.

I still maintain that when slave owners allowed their slaves to attend church, they heard about the story of Moses and the children of Israel. I would go as far to say that this

story about a group of oppressed people who found freedom and land, could have been a driving proposition that motivated people like Nat Turner, Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman.

I want us to really pay attention to what whites in America are saying, because despite what is true, they feel that they are the victims of reverse racism.

The definition of reverse racism is this, “Reverse racism means the discrimination or prejudice against a racial or ethnic majority, usually, though, as imagined or perceived by white people.”

I know⁷ that there are African Americans who believe that reparations are not necessary. I think that if we can develop a theology for further discussions on reparations, then more people at the bottom can join in on this discussion.

And the real conversation is where the power is; and we at the bottom have the power.

Rev. Curtis O. Robinson, Sr.

Posts by Rev. Curtis O. Robinson, Sr.

Activism

S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Published

4 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.