A Sacrifice of Silence
By Chaniel Clark | July 13, 2020
With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:6-8
I grew up on the West Side of Chicago.
The Windy City, home of the best pizza you will ever taste. It is home of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, one of our nation’s greatest public transportation systems, birthplace of musical legends, artists, and other creative minds. Yet Chicago bears a horrific past of police brutality against African Amerians, racist redlining practices, and according to The Washington Post, “one of the most segregated metropolitan cities in America.” Growing up a little Black girl in a predominantly African American neighborhood, a lack of diversity was normal. This lack of diversity was a result of racist practices orchestrated for the purpose of deepening the racial divide between Black and White communities and fostering racial inequality.
African Americans are disproportionately victims of consistent racial profiling and police brutality resulting in mass incarcertion, and even death. Accounts of police misconduct and abuse of power ran as rampant in our communities as little Black girls and boys chasing joy in a game of tag. Our parents watched over us in hopes we would enjoy a semblance of innocence before innocence clashed with what the world saw through its lens of racism and prejudice.
The mantra of “don’t trust the police” was drummed into my psyche. I obeyed it with very little question. As children my mom would often tell my siblings and me to smile at Officer Friendly whenever we saw police patrol our neighborhoods or pull alongside us while driving. At the time I concluded my mom was being her kind-hearted self and truthfully she was. However, I’ve also come to realize it was a Black mother’s attempt at promoting the absence of threat from her growing Black children. Historically Black women have faced violent racial injustice, even seemingly less publicized than Black men. As a Black woman I fear the callous disregard police have for Black women, for our babies, for my Black life. I live with the fear of Sandra Bland, Korryn Gaines, Breonnna Taylor, and countless other Black women who have been indiscriminately murdered by those charged with our protection. In fear I’ve questioned the fairness of birthing children to a world of disadvantage and racial inequality based on the brown complexion they will undoubtedly inherit from their mother.
“Unfortunately, we never thought that our own silence would cause us to be complicit in our own oppression.”
Every Black person has received a variation of “The Talk”. Whether it is encouragement to work twice as hard as white peers or other guidelines of how best to navigate being Black in the world. One version warns not to be defiant when faced with police. Be apologetic and respectful even if you’ve done nothing wrong. It serves as a cautionary tale, an unspoken spoken truth and fear the African American community knew all too well. Unfortunately, we never thought that our own silence would cause us to be complicit in our own oppression.
Born into a legacy family within the Chicago Pentecostal community, my parents’ guidance and believing in Jesus was all I knew. My grandfather built his massive church building in the low-income Lawndale community. We fed the poor, prayed for the sick and shut-in, and cared for widows. Countless people gave their lives to Christ through our ministry. The anointing reigned in our services and Word of God preached until demons trembled and captives were set free. Crutches, canes, and wheelchairs of those who were once ill lined the walls of the church as evidence of the healing virtue of Jesus. Services would last well into the night. We would praise God with such freedom and joy, lifting hands, feet, and tongues giving glory to God for salvation and the marvelous things He had done. We would cry Lord show us your glory and He would.
Immediately following the benediction the ushers would open the large wooden doors exposing us to police detaining young Black men kneeling helplessly on concrete curbs or pressed against squad cars in handcuffs. Looks of anger and defeat dawned their faces whether in fear or unfairness. The sight of flashing blue lights would assault our vision and sirens would pierce the night air in warning of its wrath. Systemic racism had already stripped them of generational wealth and the local church, even with belief in the beatitudes, could not offer those Black men what they needed at that moment. Mercy.
Mercy emerges when suffering is witnessed; it is a prelude to justice. According to James 2:13, mercy in fact triumphs over judgment. Racial inequality prioritizes judgement over mercy. We see this played out in cases of police killings of Blacks, and White America’s compliancy in remaining silent. However, mercy when embraced with courage gives rise to justice and one is compelled to act. Racial injustice against Black lives and other people of color is a plague corrupting the hearts of our humanity. The silent acceptance, defense, and at times denial of its existence is ungodly in nature least of all Christian behavior. To offer worship to God and declare to be Christlike and not oppose racial injustice is the very opposite of who we, as Christians, are called to be.
“God is concerned with our just actions and not just our worship. He is not asking for burnt offerings or the sacrifice of our children but instead the sacrifice of our silence.”
There is a moral dilemma facing the Christian church. Morality is continually addressed in scripture. Micah, an Old Testament prophet, writes “with what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” (Micah 6:6-7) Micah responds with this answer in verse 8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” God is concerned with our just actions and not just our worship. He is not asking for burnt offerings or the sacrifice of our children but instead the sacrifice of our silence.
Fear, uncomfortability, ignorance, or even offense can cause us to be silent to injustice. As brothers and sisters in Christ we call on you to sacrifice your silence and speak when you witness a Black person treated unfairly in your neighborhoods, schools, or workplace. Sacrifice your silence and vote for government officials and laws that promote equality. Sacrifice your silence and protest misuse of emergency services against Blacks by entitled racists. Sacrifice your silence and arrest the killers of Breonna Taylor. Use your voice and influence to align with Black communities for racial justice and racial equality, living out what is required of every Christian. To act justly, love mercy; and walk humbly with God.
Powerful! All too often we are led to believe that being a Christian only means being merciful. Thank you for the reminder that we are also called to be courageous and bold.
Thanks Rachel! As a young black mother and new mom of a beautiful baby girl. Is there one very specific lesson you will share with her about navigating racial injustice as a black woman?
You hit the nail on the head. I never knew you were ftom the West side. I always thought you just went to church over there.
Thank you for using your voice to speak up and leading by example! It’s easy to like a post, and even share one. Though to share your heart and your truth takes so much courage. Further, I love that you said, “God is concerned with our just actions and not just our worship.” The Bible calls for us to love. Love is a verb- an action word. So it requires we show what’s in our hearts by doing something! Thank you for calling Christians to action!!!
Excellent, powerful thank you for not being silent. Thank you for writing this it has brought tears to my eyes. I feel blessed to be able to live in a time as this.????????????????
Thank you Ms. Jackie! This movement must be refreshing for you to experience. I’d love to hear your perspective on being a black mom and raising black sons. Where there moments were you felt that you had to be brave for them?
The church is indeed facing a moral dilemma and discussions such as this are of utmost importance. Thank you for sacrificing your silence!
Thank you for your honest words. I have to admit that the words that I have heard from some people whom I have always reapected, in times like this, have made me wonder if we serve the same God. While I’m sure that they have meant well, they have caused me to question what it means to identify as Christian. Hopefully your words will help soften hearts of those who have hardened theirs. God bless.
Sarah you’re a successful business woman who interacts with people all over the world. Have you experienced racial injustice or prejudice while working with non-POC and how did you handle that situation?
Yes I have. I am still amazed by how many people cannot control their faces once they meet the “Sarah” that they’ve been speaking with over the phone or via email. I laugh to myself about it now, but it used to be disheartening. I have so many stories, but in short, I go into every situation knowing that if someone will let their prejudice get in the way of their money they are not a person that I want to do business with; period. I’ve found this mindset empowering as opposed to defeating. In business your mindset is extremely important.
Thank you for sharing your heart, Chaniel and for challenging us to live out the gospel and speak out against injustice!
When you said, “Fear, uncomfortability, ignorance, or even offense can cause us to be silent to injustice.” You hit the nail on the head as to why it’s taken so long for these issues to be addressed. Thank you for your wise words of hope for change and the courage to raise our voices.
What a powerful piece that showcases your poetic voice! I think it’s especially important to hear stories about how people within our family faithfully worship Jesus… and still experience the pain of racialized brokenness in our country.
You so poetically expressed how racial brokenness impacts faithful worshippers within our family. Thank you for writing this! Bless you ❤️
Amen! Chanel, this was so well -written. I spoke about this on my platform as well. Our silence could be so deadly sometimes because one’s ignorance will speak louder and become the voice of the majority. The Church needs a seat at the table. The Church needs to be the leading voice in ALL conversations on how to release the foot on the necks of those who are being trampled upon. I love this and love you dearly. God bless you!
I have always loved how you use your words. They way you write is so powerful and has a way of grabbing and keeping attention. Breaking your silence and using your voice in times such as this is truly a blessing. I hope it wake’s the church up and help us realize that we have to go out to the highways and byways. To go out of the four walls and help our people. I Love You and pray that God continue to use you!
This is such a powerful stance! As a fellow Christian, my patience is tried, even more so now than ever. I’ve learned two things. People that want to see it, will… People that do not want to see it, won’t. That’s the sad truth.
Thank you sharing. Sitting in silence is no longer an option for me!
So much truth here. Something that all should read, especially those who do not identify as African American.
This is a powerful message that we all should sit back and think about! How is our silence and not taking proper actions helping our people?
I hope this message reaches out to the silence oppressors and to individuals that openly display their oppressive behaviors!
Beautiful words from a unique perspective! For too long, the church has been silent on these issues because they aren’t explicitly mentioned in the Bible. But they have implied in many stories throughout the Old and New Testament! I’m praying that all who profess the name of Christ will walk accordingly, that there be no schisms or divides when it comes to how and when we should show mercy and grace, or when to sacrifice our silence. What a glorious time to be the Church!
Mercy is a prelude to justice. Brilliant! Also reminds me of the conclusion of the Kerner Commission of 1968: “What white Americans have never fully understood, but the what the negro could never forget is that white society is deeply implicated in the ghetto. White institutions created it, white institutions maintain it, and white society condones it.”
This is awesome! I learned so much from living in Chicago the few years I did and most of that came from you. Thank you for sharing your experiences and being so transparent. I love how you connect the church with what’s going on today…too many times this is not done.
I’m amazed by the way you capture our deep yearnings and our hearts secret prayers.
Thank you for this call to action. Love the use of scripture. I’m encouraged. “The sacrifice of silence”
This last paragraph really just needs to be made into a flyer and sent to every home in America! It’s too easy to claim ignorance as a reason for not participating in this movement of change. Thank for taking the time to talk about the pain and the hurt and to educate us on how to be better as a community. <3 love you bae!!
Wow CC! Your eloquence leaves no ambiguity in the perspective your are engendering. I feel because of the poetry in your story, I can see through your eyes and feel what you’ve felt and this is the power that engenders empathy which can in turn empower people to “sacrifice their silence”. Thanks so much for sharing your perspective…❤️
Sacrificing ones silence….. so profound. What a wonderfully written and necessary piece. Thankyou for sharing
People always forget Jesus was a rebel. He cared for and spoke out about the mistreatment of people all the time. He also acted when others would not. We have to use our voices and power for better today’s and tomorrow ‘s.
Chaniel Chaniel!!! Hallelujah!! Thank you for your candid and introspective reflection and for speaking your truth. Time to write a book hunny!!