Newsletter Vol. 1 Issue 33

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Read Ahead:  Matthew 28:1-15
 

False Narratives Around Racism Continue to Surround Us

Last week, our Wednesday reflection invited us to notice how celebrating the Resurrection can be confusing. One reason for this confusion, highlighted in Matthew’s Gospel, is the fact that not everyone agrees about the Resurrection; others tell false stories or narratives that discount the Resurrection of Jesus and the Gospel message he came to share. In fact, we see exactly that unfold in the Acts of the Apostles as the apostles and new disciples witness and spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

So too, racism perpetuates false narratives. In today’s reflection, we invite you to discern how the darkness of racism has been brought to light in your prayer. In doing so, you may recall the ways lies about racism continue to spread, thus halting the work of racial equity, healing, and antiracism.

I recall some of the Easter Joy I have been praying with – realizing that Jesus is alive after his Passion and death. How have I embraced Jesus in my prayer this Easter season? What has he taught me that is good news?

I imagine at the same time, there is another story happening. It is the story of the account of the guards. What might they have seen that Easter morning? Did they feel fearful as Matthew describes earlier in the chapter? Confused? Overcome with joy? What is their predominant feeling or feelings?

Am I perhaps one of the guards?

They head to the chief priests, and explain what they saw: a dramatic earthquake, a stone rolling away, and an angel dressed in white. What was that experience like? What did it feel like to become like “dead people?” Did they believe what had happened? What was their demeanor like as they recounted what they witnessed to the chief priests, the people who are the Jewish political and religious elites in society?

The chief priests offer money to get them to spread a false lie. Did they take the money initially, or did the chief priests have to bribe them with more money? How long did it take for the guards to agree? Was there internal disagreement among them? What was the tipping point in which they finally accepted the money?

Who and what did they tell people? What was in their conscience as they did so?

I imagine what I have learned about racism: that it operates individually, historically, culturally, and systemically. I recall praying with the experiences of people of color across our country. I recall perhaps some of my own experiences. I recall all discrepancies I have learned about how race and racism function in our society to serve a white supremacy culture.

There are so many false narratives about race operating in our society today. Some of those include the following: 

• People of color and poor people are just poor or suffering because they are individuals who will not take responsibility and work hard;
• There is no such thing as race-based police brutality especially against Black people;
• Racial minorities are getting unfair advantages through affirmative action and are “gaming” the system;
• See – examples like Oprah Winfrey and sports players show that anyone can become rich in the United States. 

When people tell the truth about how racism functions, they are often “racially gaslighted.” To experience racial gaslighting is, to tell the truth about racism and experience people denying the truth even though when there is evidence of racism. This maintains a culture of White supremacy and throws off those who tell the truth because they are not trusted or believed.

I imagine someone experiences a terrible account of racism – whether discrimination, bias, or violence. What courage must it take to relive the fear one felt? Who do they turn to? What happens when they are not believed by a friend, a colleague, a supervisor, or the police? What happens when their account is reinterpreted and they begin to doubt their experience?

Resource: The hidden victims of gaslighting

Click here to read and learn more about the term "gaslighting" and the impact it has on our society today, with regards to racism.  

Questions for Reflection:

Am I ever like one of the guards, willing to perpetuate a lie because it benefits me? How do I reconcile that knowing the truth?

What are some false narratives about race that continue to circulate? Has my understanding about the truth evolved or changed over the course of this discernment series? Have I experienced racial gaslighting?

How might I be called to challenge others who hold or who have learned problematic narratives about race and racism in our country? Where might I do this?