Better than “they” think we are

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Better than “they” think we are

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Rev. Lisa Harris-Lee

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February 11, 2021

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Since the election, I have listened as political leaders and ministry leaders who supported the exiting administration provide advice about how the incoming administration ought to lead.  Among the rhetoric is an insistence – bordering on threat – to attend to the percentage of the population that did not vote for the Biden-Harris team. I will not outline the hypocrisy in this advice given the tolerance of the destructive, alienating leadership of the last four years.

People who are sharing this sudden call to unity – Sens. McConnell, Graham and others – are likely motivated 1) to keep up appearances of being in control, and 2) by a fear of vengeance. However, more often than not, when leaders who have experienced oppression in the United States gain greater access and power, they have a greater interest in seeing the principles of our founding documents upheld consistently for all people as the standard for our democracy than in a vengeful opportunity for payback.

I listened as Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock accepted his victory (for the second time) as Senator of Georgia. Though his interests have not been well represented by leaders elected to represent him, he intentionally stated that he will represent all the people of Georgia.  

Part of the fear and cowardice white supremacists or power abusers hold is related to their role in the violence and injustices toward those who do not look like them or live like them. They seek to hold their position by any means necessary – theories of racial superiority, pedophile conspiracies, and scripting fantasy narratives around fake news. “They” conclude if those whom they have historically oppressed rise to power, “we” will be treated with the same inequity and hostility “we” have inflicted. Sometimes that is true – but most are trying to write and live a better way forward.

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I am cautiously hopeful that representative, principled, leadership will rise up in this nation – that we will indeed build back better for everyone through a more equitable and unifying agenda more than we ever have before. Those of us who are Jesus followers have a role to play in leading in a more excellent way of love, and nurturing others to do the same.

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Congressman John Lewis, Ella Baker, and living legends Dr. James Lawson and Diane Nash, among others, chose nonviolence that leads to a beloved community for all. They made this choice for many reasons, but among them was the fact that it was modeled after Jesus Christ.

Writing and living a new normal will require that white supremacists and power abusers be held to better account than they have before. Certainly, more than they have been since the Capitol siege of January 6. As much as one may try, it is impossible to reconcile the Christianity centered in Jesus Christ with the shameful behavior of those who attacked the Capitol or anyone who justifies or excuses the behavior.

I am cautiously hopeful that representative, principled, leadership will rise up in this nation – that we will indeed build back better for everyone through a more equitable and unifying agenda more than we ever have before. Those of us who are Jesus followers have a role to play in leading in a more excellent way of love, and nurturing others to do the same.

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The Rev. Lisa Harris-Lee is director of Mission Engagement and National Network Initiatives, American Baptist Home Mission Societies.

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The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.

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