We Must Be Wary Of This Specific Form Of Anti-Black Spiritual Warfare
Reverend Albert Cleage Jr. was a Christian minister deeply committed to Black nationalism. He believed nothing was more sacred to God than Black liberation.
But he knew that revolution was only possible if we as a people developed revolutionary mindsets and practices.
It’s one thing to say you believe in Black liberation, but it’s another thing to practice it.
Practicing freedom means questioning all anti-Black structures enforced as “the norm.”
More importantly, it means living authentically in our joy.
Practicing freedom will look different depending on who you are and might require you reimagining how you define freedom.
Your practice could be radically loving your body, or organizing a mass exodus from anti-Black organizations. It could be ensuring you’re building community based on reciprocity and collective care, or setting boundaries with anything appearing even remotely anti-Black.
Many people and organizations say they’re in support of Black Lives when in reality they aren’t doing anything to overturn anti-Black structures. Many, including our own people, even benefit from white supremacy.
Part of practicing freedom means being intentional about who and what organizations we give our time, energy, resources, and genius to.
Performative Black liberation is still anti-Black spiritual warfare meant to harm us.
How do you regularly practice freedom? Does your community help to honor and nurture your practices?