You better be woke despite what white Chrisitans say
White society has done a gigantic disservice to the imagery of Christianity. They whitewashed it to promote white supremacy. When I use the term whitewash, I am borrowing the definition offered by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, which defines whitewashing as portraying (the past) in a way that increases the prominence, relevance, or impact of white people and minimizes or misrepresents that of nonwhite people.
I’d rephrase Merriam-Webster’s definition of whitewashing as it relates to Christianity by saying whitewashing Christianity is portraying (Christianity) in a way that increases the prominence, relevance, or impact of white people on Christendom and minimizes or misrepresents that of nonwhite people, especially Blacks. Examples of whitewashing the Gospel are when white Christians strategically and falsely portray nearly all the Bible characters, including Moses, Abraham, David, Ezekiel, Jesus, his disciples, and the early church fathers as Europeans. This portrayal of Biblical characters is provably and fantastically false.
Another more egregious example of whitewashing Christianity occurred when white Christians created and disseminated the laughable narrative that Africans were uncivilized savages before Europeans enslaved and colonialized them. In other words, they argue, evangelizing Africans justifies slavery and colonialism. This hideous narrative is false for at least two reasons. First, Europeans did not evangelize Africans. They oppressed, slaughtered, murdered, raped, and robbed them. Second, Christianity spread to Africa before it reached Europe. Simon Bachus, the Ethiopian Eunuch in the Book of Acts chapter eight, was the first non-Jewish convert to Christianity, and he subsequently took Christianity back to Ethiopia. Third, the real savages in the slavery and colonializing narrative were the Europeans. Nothing is more savage, uncivilized, and barbaric than slavery and colonialism.
White Christians whitewashed Christianity so profoundly and widely that adherents, including people of color, unknowingly became supporters of white supremacy. Often, critics of Christianity, such as Umar Johnson, react to this whitewashed version of Christianity, assuming it’s authentic. Their assumption could not be more incorrect. The un-whitewashed version of Christianity differs from the white, Americanized, Europeanized, materialized version masquerading across our country as the true Gospel. Critics like Umar cannot see the true Gospel because satan has blinded their minds to the true Gospel. They critique the Gospel to lead people away from Christ. Otherwise, they would be Christ’s followers themselves (2 Corinthians 4:4).
But Christ-followers can see beyond the whitewashed version of Christianity and must break free from it. They can break free from this whitewashed version of Christianity by first asking the Holy Spirit for spiritual wisdom and insight so they might grow in their knowledge of God. Ephesians 1:17. Additionally, they should read commentaries from theologians who are free and critical of the whitewashed version of Christianity.
My suggested list of religious scholars includes Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, the late Professor James Cone, Dr. Robert P. Jones, Dr. Jemar Tisby, and many other scholars to name a few. Incidentally, red states like my adopted state of Texas are banning my suggested list of scholars. That’s a solid sign you should read these scholars. Meanwhile, melanated Christ followers must question or deconstruct almost everything white theologians, preachers, scholars, historians, and so on have taught and written about the Bible.
White conservatives decry deconstruction of the Gospel because they know we will learn the truth about how they whitewashed Christianity. Why else are they hostile toward wokeness and CRT? Deconstructing their version of Christianity will remove the white supremacy lens from our reading and understanding of the Gospel and help us become more like Jesus in the Bible, not the one they manufactured. To be clear, I don’t suggest we deconstruct their version of Christianity to leave the faith. GOD FORBID! Instead, I suggest we question their version of Christianity to enhance our faith and understanding of Christ. Besides, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Jesus, His Kingdom, and His Word. The problem is in
If we don’t break free from their whitewashed Gospel, we will unwisely participate in political campaigns that ultimately harm our interests as African Americans. We will become spokespeople for white Christian nationalism, believing it’s the Gospel. We will attack CRT, wokeness, diversity, inclusion, and equality, although African Americans developed or embraced these doctrines to combat white supremacy and promote Biblical justice.
Breaking free of the whitewashed version of Christianity can be difficult. It’s a journey, not a moment. You will likely experience fear because your spiritual leaders modeled and subconsciously taught you to regard highly white theological hermeneutics and pedagogy. You’ll also likely experience criticism, even rejection, from family and friends who’ll have difficulty understanding your journey and quest for freedom. They likely mean well but are happy with the old-time religion from the past. Last, in your search for freedom from white Christian nationalism, ensure everything you digest lines up with the Word of God. Befriend other committed Christ followers who are on a similar quest.
