The Journal of the Baptist Peacemaker October-December 2016 - 25

sTorIes oF Peacemakers

BPFNA Statement on Centering Black
Lives in Pursuit of Racial Justice
I

t is with a profound sense of humility and obligation to
"witness to the [lack of] peace rooted in justice" in the
light of ongoing attacks on black bodies in America, that the
Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America ~ Bautistas por la
Paz (BPFNA) stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter
movement and all those struggling to resist the systemic forces
bearing down on black bodies at this time.
It is past time for an acknowledgment of the systemic
forces at play: forces refusing to acknowledge that white lives
are valued more than black lives, forces refusing to acknowledge
gross inequality imbedded in a system of white supremacy,
forces refusing to acknowledge the colonial theft of land and
abuse of bodies over centuries, forces refusing to acknowledge
systemic mass incarceration of black bodies. White supremacy
blinds, divides, silences and kills.
We must raise our voices to speak out against these
evils, condemn unjust disparities based on race and demand
accountability for the oppression, discrimination and killings
that disproportionally impact black lives.
That accountability must begin with our own organization,
and so we humbly acknowledge BPFNA's complicity in these
structures of white supremacy and we publically commit to
working to dismantle these structures in our midst. We have
ignored black voices, adding hurt to hurt. We recognize and
name this history and commit to move into a better future.
We pledge not to become "faint of heart." We take on this
work, rooted in radical love, committed to:
* Examine our lives, individually and corporately, through
the lens of white supremacy, to see how we have supported evil and harmed those within our midst.
* Act on the understanding that it is not the job of people
of color to teach white people how racism permeates
our society and impacts all of us.
* Take responsibility for our own anti-racist education,
connecting with other groups who prioritize transparent
accountability.
* Do the work of centering black lives and decentering
whiteness, following the lead of black leaders through
relationships of accountability.
* Claim a stake in and a responsibility for reversing structures of racism, violence and oppression that are at the
root of the systemic attack on black life and culture.
* Speak truth and break silences that harm.
* Recognize that dismantling other manifestations of
white supremacy, violence and oppression is equally
urgent work, which will require a broad global unified

effort that racism inherently undermines. The struggle
is interconnected.
* Form meaningful, collaborative, long-term relationships
with black clergy, theologians, activists and groups who
are focused on this work and committed to social justice,
remaining aware that BPFNA~ Bautistas por la Paz
must do better in hearing and creating space for black
voices so that just relationships can truly thrive and we
can move forward together.
Despite the persistence of systems, coordinated resistance
efforts like the Movement for Black Lives herald the humanity and
beauty of black and brown persons and continue to challenge us
with a vision of justice born out of community in struggle.
Aboriginal activist Lilla Watson said, "If you have come
here to help me, you are wasting your time. If you have come
because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work
together." BPFNA~ Bautistas por la Paz stands firmly behind
the conviction that, when centering the liberation of those
most marginalized, every one of us will be liberated along the
way. None of us is free until all of us are free.
-This	statement	was	written	for	the	BPFNA by	members	of 	our	Working	
Group	 to	 Center	 Black	 Lives	 in	 Pursuit	 of 	 Racial	 Justice.	 For	 more	
information	about	the	Working	Group	and	why	the	BPFNA	is	focusing	
on	this	work,	go	to	www.bpfna.org/cbl-about.	To	learn	about	actions	you	
can	take	now	in	an	effort	to	center	black	lives	in	your	own	context	and	
community,	go	to	www.bpfna.org/cbl-actions.	

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Baptist Peacemaker

OCT-DEC 2016 25


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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Journal of the Baptist Peacemaker October-December 2016

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