In his book, Said I Wasn’t Gonna Tell No One, Rev. Dr. James H. Cone, pastor, teacher, theologian, and author points out that theology isn’t universal, and that it all begins with our own experience (pg. 112). So, for the month of February, as it is African American history month, I will be highlighting theologians of color and not writing too much of my own words. Community engagement, at its best starts with listening intently which is why I’d like to invite you all in on that journey with me this month. I will also be either linking the book I am quoting from, or one about the person I’ve quoted, because not all of them will be what we consider traditional “theologians.” Today, I am highlighting Dr. Cone, the founder of Black Liberation Theology. His words from Said I Wasn’t Gonna Tell No One, unfortunately ring as true today, as they did when he wrote them. May we read them (or listen with our eyes) without defensiveness, and may they break our hearts open to a place of advocacy.
“Whether fifty years ago or today, white men seem to think that they have the right to murder black people, knowing that no jury or judge will convict them for killing niggers. Black lives don’t matter to them. Never have. Cain killed his brother, Abel. But Abel’s blood spoke: “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ He said, ‘I don’t know; am I my brother’s keeper?’ and the Lord said, ‘What have you done? Listen: your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground!’” (Gen 4:9-10) Cain can be viewed as a metaphor for white people and Abel for black people. God is asking white Americans, especially Christians, “Where are your black brothers and sisters?”. . . The blood of black people is crying out to God and to white people from the ground in the United States of America. . . The cry of black blood that I heard in Detroit (1967) more than fifty years ago is still crying out all over America today. White people didn’t hear it then, and they still don’t hear it now. They are deaf to the cry of black blood. Yet black people will not be silent as our children are thrown in rivers, blown into eternity, and shot dead in the streets. Black Lives Matter! God hears that cry, and black liberation theology bears witness to it.” – Dr. James H. Cone, Said I Wasn’t Gonna Tell No One, pgs. 170 & 171
You can purchase Said I Wasn’t Gonna Tell No One here and read more about Dr. Cone’s work here.
Grace and peace,
George Benson (he/him)
(Photo credit: https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2019/10/scholars-to-examine-the-life-and-work-of-james-cone-founder-of-black-theology/)