Professor Henry Gates with merengue singers in the Dominican Republic

During seminary, I was blessed to take a course on African Traditional Religions in Ghana, West Africa. It truly represented a pivotal moment in my development as a man and a minister. The course itself stretched my understanding of what it means to think about God and express those “thinkings” in this diverse world. I also couldn’t help, but notice the parallels between the Traditional Religions in Ghana and the particulars of my own precious Faith as expressed through the Black Church. During the time I was there, there was a move afoot to discredit the Traditional Religions and push up Christianity and Jehovah Witnesses as the preferred and socially acceptable religious identification. For a variety of reasons, I pray that that push has waned.

All by itself, travelling is a tremendous opportunity to broaden one’s horizon’s and more fully appreciate the collage of humanity and nature. However, my being in Ghana not only helped me to appreciate humanity more, but it helped me to appreciate my humanity. Upon my arrival in Ghana, I immediately realized how conditioned I had become in the American West to disconnect myself from my Ancestral identity – that whom The Almighty made me to be – an African man! Since my “re-birth” in Ghana, I’ve enjoyed the journey of re-connecting to the global African community. On a macro level I see this “re-connecting” as an indispensable part of the healing process for African people all over the world. We were systematically disconnected from each other, our names, languages, “God-thoughts”, values, etc. Our healing will come about in part by way of a reconnection to ourselves and each other.

Which is why I’m glad my Sister in D.C. sent me this link to Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ latest documentary entitled “Black in Latin America“. Through the documentary, Dr. Gates attempts to explore the cultures of both Ayiti (Haiti) and the Dominican Republic. He also attempts to shine light on the divisions between these two nations that share the same island. I found the people and the storyline fascinating. And being the inquisitive type, I plan on doing more research into why these divisions exist and into untold aspects of the story that perhaps did not gain coverage in this piece.

That said, I invite you to share in this, yet another chapter of the Global African Story.

Check it out!

Watch the full episode. See more Black in Latin America.

I have an uneasy feeling when it comes to Christian Missionaries. I know that sounds strange coming from a pastor. But anyone who reviews the history of missionaries from the Western, American context will find a deluge of disheartening examples connecting Christian Mission with subjugation, oppression, and the dehumanizing of Indigenous Communities. While all Christian Mission cannot be characterized as such; all too often from antiquity to more modern times, it has had a cozy relationship (if not a partnership) with colonialism, imperialism, slavery, and White Supremacy.

People of Color from virtually all over the world have a chapter somewhere in their history about their engagement with ambassadors from the Western World who often came with Jesus on their lips and ulterior motives in their hearts. I know that is a hard saying, but it’s something that must be said – particularly in the Christian Community today – if we ever are to embrace the whole of our collective human story and learn from it. The reality is that many White people have never faced the fact of their own privilege and therefore have never explored how its poisonous residue permeates the rest of their lives. (That’s why Chris Matthews from MSNBC’s Hardball can listen to President Barack Obama give his first State of the Union address and say, “I forgot he was Black for an hour.” Even in trying to give what he thought was a compliment, he delivered an insult probably because he has never thoroughly explored his own privilege and ingrained perceptions of race. What his comment really did was categorize “Blackness” as deficiency.)

I believe that’s one reason the movie, Avatar, has done so well around the world. The movie gives voice to Indigenous Communities. In a way that lowers psychological defenses, the movie tells the story of what happens when imperial interests locate new land and sense something valuable connected to that land or culture. While Avatar still has problematic themes that are present in many Western movies (such as the “White” man as Saviour motif, the marginalization of Indigenous Manhood, and the disconnection of the Indigenous Man from the Indigenous Woman), there are many lessons that the movie can teach about colonial imperialism. One of the most poignant of which revolves around the possibility of redemption for the colonizer.

However, redemption for the colonizer – or in our case in this article, the Christian Missionary, can only come when the Christian Missionary examines him or herself. Christian Missionaries would do well to explore the impact of language upon their theological construct. What does it mean when you say, “We’re going to ‘WIN‘ souls for Christ?” What does it mean when you characterize foreign communities as “LOST“? Dear Christian Missionary, what do you mean when you visit intentionally impoverished nations with the intent of “SAVING SOULS?” What beliefs are buried beneath your language? How do these beliefs impact not only your language, but your actions?

If I had my way, I would make it mandatory that every Christian Missionary spend significant time examining themselves, studying the history of Christian Mission from the Indigenous Perspective, and engaging in what might feel like very uncomfortable group dialogue to uncover racialized presuppositions related to culture, privilege, and Faith.

Christian Missionaries need to study and reflect on Christian Imperialism and the Transatlantic Slave Trade among other related historical occurrences. And they need to reflect on more modern occurrences which have interplay like how the U.S. Military has been using guns in Iraq and Afghanistan that are inscribed with Christian scriptures. (How does it feel Brother and Sister Christians to know that weapons of MURDER being used to spill blood in your name on foreign soil are inscribed with the words of your Lord & Savior?)

They need to analyze and reflect on the situation with the Idaho-based, Baptist Missionary Group in Haiti right now which has links to the Southern Baptist Convention – a convention with an admitted White Supremacist past and history of female subjugation as well. The Baptist Mission group in Haiti will tell you that they were there to “save” those poor children. It has seemed to become one of the latest phenomenon in the Western World to “save” children of color by adopting and removing them from their culture and community with little regard to how their disconnection from their culture will impact their development as human beings…much less any analysis of the social dynamics that even make it possible for parents to consider giving their children to White Saviors from the United States. It turns out that the more than 30 children who were kidnapped were NOT all orphans. Some of their parents survived the earthquake and for the parents that didn’t survive, who says the next of kin couldn’t have taken the child in? I’m not necessarily questioning the motives of the White Missionaries from Idaho – many people were moved with compassion upon seeing the devastation in Haiti and engaged in remarkable acts of kindness. What I am holding up for scrutiny, however, is the level of arrogance that this group had to possess in order to engage in this action. Reports have surfaced that suggest that Laura Silsby, the leader of this missionary group, “didn’t think about Haitian permission to take the children out of the country.” [SOURCE: The Baptist Press]. (The idiocy of that misstep aside, what levels of White American privilege and arrogance have to be present in order for you to think you can just fly to another country and take other people’s children like they’re tourist trinkets!?)

Sounds familiar doesn’t it? It should.

Those sensitive to the history of Christian Mission from the perspective of the Indigenous Community, remember how Christian Missionaries engaged in aboriginal child separations and removals in Australia in the name of “civilizing” and “christianizing” the indigenous community – in hopes of ultimately destroying their culture and forcing them to assimilate into the dominant culture.

As I said at the outset, this analysis does not suggest that all Christian Mission and all Christian Missionaries are really tools of Western, White imperial plans. (I also don’t want to suggest that only White Missionaries become tripped up in the potholes of the western missionary paradigm. There are “westernized” missionaries of Color as well who propagate unexamined understandings of God and Faith in foreign lands.)

In light of all that I’ve shared, there are many examples as well of Christian Missionaries from the West who have surrendered their privilege and arrogance to follow the leadership of those within Indigenous Communities and probably most importantly have committed themselves to the establishment of real relationship with those in other lands. Relationship with no strings attached. A real “I-Thou” Human Connection that sees the Image of the Divine in the other.

That’s what Brazilian pastor, Claudio Oliver, recommends in this short youtube video. He speaks of the importance of “Friendship Trips” over the traditional “Mission Trips”. Heeding his words and the words of so many others like Lamin Sanneh who speak on these issues, will help prevent Christian Mission from drifting into a dangerously wayward direction that is disconnected from The Way of Jesus. This is a perfect time for Christian Missionaries to hold up the mirror, lay aside every weight and sin that so easily besets us, disconnect from the Western concept of Mission, and explore what it means to first be Friends.

Many of you have been following the situation going on in Haiti – no, not the earthquake and recovery, but the arrest and pending trial of 10 U.S. Christian Missionaries who are under judicial scrutiny right now for the alleged kidnap attempt of dozens of Haitian children.

This story disturbs me on many fronts, and it’s taken everything in me to hold my peace on giving my opinion on this specific situation until more information is revealed. I am preparing, however, to give my general feelings about Christian Mission around the world – both in a historical and contemporary context.

While the Idaho-based, Christian Missionaries are awaiting trial, the latest news is that their lawyer has resigned. While it is not immediately clear why Edwin Coq, resigned, what is clear is that he places greater responsibility on the group leader, Laura Silsby, who he says knew full well that she didn’t have any legal documentation to do what she was attempting.

Stay tuned. This is what happens when Christian Mission goes way wrong.

Last night I was on a very impressive international conference call with more than 700 others to talk about how everyday people can stand in solidarity with our Haitian sisters and brothers. The call was hosted by the Hip Hop Caucus and moderated by its CEO, Rev. Lennox Yearwood.

The call featured a number of well-known individuals like Congresswoman Barabara Lee, Ron Daniels, MC Lyte, David Banner, Nicole Lee (TransAfrica Forum), and Omarosa.

Each brought passionate and also strategic perspective to the situation in Haiti and provided some ideas on how to mobilize in solidarity with Haiti even when the cameras leave. (Which we know is soon to happen.)

I was thankful to see yet another example of how my generation is harnessing the power of technology for social change and advocacy. While on the international conference call, Rev. Yearwood was taking questions from the more than 700 listeners via his twitter page. They’ve also set up a website called Hip Hop Help Haiti where people can log in, create profiles, and organize so that we’re ready to run this marathon of solidarity. There was talk on the call as well about putting a “skills bank” on the site so that we can be strategic in short and long-term planning.

Apart from the ecumenical prayer offered at the end by Rev. Yearwood; I was especially thankful to hear David Banner say that they don’t have all the answers. He spoke about how the best ideas are born in community and that “we the people” with our collective imagination can, with God’s help, successfully engage this disaster.

For those wanting to connect with this effort and/or hear the recording from last night’s conference call please visit Hip Hop Help Haiti.

Like many of you, my heart has been heavy for the people of Haiti this week as they have endured a tremendous earthquake and successive aftershocks. A country that was already struggling and surviving in the midst of extreme poverty; is now trying to dig out from significant infrastructural collapse and heart wrenching loss of life. I join you in sending prayers to God on behalf of our sisters and brothers in Haiti.

What you may not know is that I was planning to be in Haiti in 2 months for a trip of reverse mission with a ministry in Washington, DC called Faith & Money Network – an offshoot of sorts of Church of the Saviour. I’ve had Haiti on my heart for a couple of years now and this trip of reverse mission was going to be a highlight of my year. I learned yesterday, however, that because of the quake, the trip has been postponed. Even by March, there will be significant rebuilding and re-gathering of life still going on. I’m prayerful about another opportunity that may still grant me the blessing of planting my feet on Haitian soil.

I’m still processing all that has happened this week in terms of Haiti and plan to give a more thoughtful response to things in a few days, but I wanted to at least provide some avenues of assistance as many of you are looking for ways to help. I contacted my sister in DC who lived in Haiti for a while and has sincere relationship with Haiti’s people. She recommended the following organizations for those looking to make financial donations:

Doctors Without Borders, Partners In Health, and Beyond Borders

Kevin Powell also provided a resource sheet of vetted organizations called “How to ‘Help’ Haiti.” Being sensitive to the sad tendency of some to capitalize on the misery of others and to the reality of some organizations being popular in name, but questionable in connections “on the ground,” this resource was created to help us support those organizations – ones particularly led by Haitians and people of color- who are providing support.

Finally and to me most importantly, let us commit to something more urgent than money, speeches, sermons, or even blog articles – let us join together in PRAYER and as we listen let us respond in Love.

Stay With Me!
Friday, June 5, 2009 | It’s Free, but you must register now!
Join Dr. Tony Campolo, Beyond Borders, and Calvary Baptist Church for an Evening of Hope for Haiti’s “Stay-With” Slave Children.

Program:

6:00 p.m. Simple Supper
7:00 p.m. Main Program followed by a Dessert Reception

Just a ninety-minute flight from the United States as many as 300,000 children are trapped in a life of slavery. They are called “stay-with” children because they live apart from their parents and stay with the families they serve. Many work every waking hour and face intense physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.

THERE IS HOPE!

A small but growing movement in Haiti is working to protect these children, reunite them with their families, and bring an end to child servitude.

Come learn what they are doing and how you can help.

Guests from Haiti include Helia Lajuenesse and Alina Cajuste, two survivors of child servitude who will speak of their experience and the struggle to end this practice.

Our featured speaker, Dr. Tony Campolo, is a highly sought-after speaker, loved for his entertaining and compelling message. He is a sociologist, pastor, and author of 35 books.

This event is free, but space is limited. So register now.

Reserved seating is available for groups of eight or more that register in advance as Pew Sponsors.

Calvary Baptist Church is located one block west of the Gallery Place / Chinatown Metro station at the corner of 8th and H streets, NW in downtown DC. Directions to the event.

More information is available here.

I enjoyed a C-SPAN interview tonight featuring Randall Robinson, founder of TransAfrica, celebrated advocate for Africa, and noted author. 

His latest book entitled, An Unbroken Agony: Haiti, from Revolution to the Kidnapping of a President tells the story of the U.S. sponsored overthrow of democratically-elected president of Haiti, Jean-Berstrand Aristide in February 2004.

For sure, it will be added to my growing library very soon.  I’ve followed and enjoyed Robinson since reading about his decision to leave this country and take up residence in St. Kitts in his book, Quitting America: The Departure of a Black Man from his Native Land.

The C-SPAN interview shows a soft-spoken Robinson in the winter season of life (he celebrated 66 years on July 6) who still exudes a burning passion to reconnect Africa’s children and challenge western imperialism at its every turn.  Fortunately, I was able to record the 60 minute interview and plan to share it with others who would appreciate the wise words of one of our elders.

Thank you C-SPAN for providing this platform.

This 2000 Washington Times article points out the discrimination behind this Cold War policy well.  Referencing the then 6 year old Cuban boy, Elian Gonzales, who washed ashore with many other Cubans after their boat capsized, the author says:

“…if Elian Gonzalez were Haitian instead of Cuban, he would have been returned to Haiti immediately.”

What’s particularly interesting as well is that President Bill Clinton and Congress adopted legislation in 1998 that put Nicaraguan, Cuban, Guatemalann, and Salvadoran immigrants who had reached the United States before 1996 eligible for permanent residency or green cards.  Congress and Clinton excluded Haitians from these protective laws.  (and to think – some Black folks still want to call Clinton the first “Black” president – the man ignored genocide in Rwanda and kicked Haitians back out to sea, but some still love him because he played the saxophone on Arsenio Hall.)

Bottom line:  we need fair and just international policy that doesn’t reinforce racist immigration laws. 

The brothers and I had a spirited discussion about the immigration issue on a recent BrothaSpeak show.  Enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0AfH8CfRo8]