The Failure of Black Pastors to Empower Blacks
The Failure of Black Pastors to Empower Blacks
The Failure of Black Pastors to Empower Blacks ~ “Okay, I am probably going to tick off a lot of people here, but that has never stopped me before.
A substantial portion of this article appeared as a post on multiple social media platforms earlier this week. The initial point of the post was to wake up many Blacks who are slumbering while they overlook the failure of Black pastors to empower the Blacks in their community and beyond.
The reason for publishing it as an article is due to the necessity for the idea to have longevity and accessibility. Because, far too many Blacks have a disconnected, yet firm stance on their religious views, they lack the perspicacity to distinguish friend from foe. When it comes to religion and black preachers in America, there is a sordid past that most are unaware of. And, those who are aware lack the intestinal fortitude to discuss it under the light of truth.
Originally, when slaves were introduced to the bastardized and whitewashed version of Salvationism that most refer to as Modern Christianity, they were only allowed to congregate in the presence of the white master, or a white overseer. Eventually, slave owners came up with the idea that one way to calm the thirst of power and independence of the black man, was to appoint hand-picked preachers/pasters to teach the Black slaves the way of the lord. This illusion of freedom became lethal.
What must be understood is that when these pastors were chosen, they were selected from the most docile and loyal male slaves on the plantation. These men were given explicit instructions on what to teach and what not to teach. They were told that when slavery was addressed, it was always to be the will of God, and the slave was always to be Black and the master White.
So, in essence, the Black pastor was castrated and rendered impotent from the start. If he wanted to maintain his position of pseudo-power, he could not move against the establishment. He could not seek authentic empowerment for his congregation. He could preach passionately about the hereafter, but he was forbidden to attempt to invoke a yearning for freedom and power in the here and now.
Blacks, who are a people with a natural proclivity toward spiritual matters, gravitate toward that which they deem to be of a spiritual nature — allowing institutional racism to use religion as a weapon. The problem I have is that we have far too many pastors who are content with exploiting their position and their people.
To give you an idea of how the system of White Supremacy Racism has exploited black preachers for the purpose of controlling the Black collective, look at this quote by Margaret Sanger.
“We should hire three or four colored ministers, preferably with social-service backgrounds, and with engaging personalities. The most successful educational approach to the Negro is through a religious appeal. We don’t want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population, and the minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members.”
The thing is that Sanger “was” attempting to “exterminate” Blacks in large numbers, as well as sterilize Black women. What you are witnessing in this quote is Sanger resorting to a common practice of using Black preachers to calm the masses. It is no secret to those who are aware why many of our community activists are preachers. They are trained well in creating the appearance of action in the absence of progress.
Here is my appeal to my Black brothers and sisters, and Black preachers with a backbone…
I don’t care what faith or religion you claim, if you are following a man, or woman, who claims to be sent by God, and yet, all you have experienced under their tutelage is stagnancy, lack and perpetual impotence — leaving your place of worship & study emotionally charged, but unequipped for battle, it is time you reevaluate your affiliation and path.
If you are not being taught financial and fiscal responsibility, you should be concerned. If you are not being educated on the political process, you should be concerned. If there is no connection to your history, you should be concerned. If are not being equipped to better your situation, but you find yourself constantly being charged up emotionally, please understand that good feeling does not pay bills.
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If you want to know why there is a mass exodus from traditional religion, especially the Christian Church, it is because people have grown weary of being preached into an emotional lather and left to linger in their struggles.
You cannot claim to serve an omnipotent God, and lack power. You cannot claim to live for a God that has mercy, but be constantly exposed to horror, hostility and grief. You cannot claim to be in a personal, mutual relationship with the God of the universe and yet have the entire universe resting on your throat.
No, I am not claiming that there is not an omnipotent force that designed and created the order of this universe. I am not suggesting that there is not human purpose and destiny infused into the design of the universe. What I am suggesting is that it is impossible to be connected to such a powerful force and live your entire life helpless, hopeless and powerless. I am suggesting that who you are submitting to has not properly informed you, prepared you, and empowered you to operate at the level of your divine design — based on the 7 Universal Laws that govern your position, movement and success in this world.
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I am saying that history has presented multitudinous men who exploited the idea of God, instead of provided access to God.
Most spiritual systems and religions suggest, in some form, that there is an indwelling or a complete manifestation of the DIVINE within the human existence, and if this is the case, you must ask yourself how in the world does omnipotence exist in me or as me, and yet I function from a platform of powerlessness. How can I be associated with a great God while living a life of mediocrity, subservience and absolute docility.
While there can be a number of reasons why, if your pastor is living a life of financial comfort and social mobility, while you struggle to make ends meet, you must ask yourself why.
And, just in case you are not getting it, I am not challenging your choice of faiths; I am challenging your choice of leadership”. ~ Dr. Rick Wallace, Ph.D.