It was 6:30 the other morning when a message came to my inbox.
“What’s going on with clergy and frontliners? I’m hearing some disturbing news about a counter-protest against the frontliners. I thought we were in this together, but this will look goofy and crazy.”
Truth.
Clergy, against the people? I cannot fathom the logic of this.
During the Ferguson uprising, there was constant tension between clergy and protestors. Rev. Tommie Pierson was among the first who opened the doors of the church for protestors – I took refuge in that space one night after terror was unleashed. There were others whose constant presence didn’t get them lumped into “the clergy” but, as a collective, our name was bad.
Eventually, things started turning around when clergy with access used their influence to raise dollars and lower bail for a group who were arrested. Rev. Osagyefo Sekou led clergy in placing their bodies on the line in front of, instead of, and alongside protestors. Rev. David Gerth coordinated clergy to be a witness of presence and assistance. More doors began opening, more clergy found their space, and deeper relationships and partnerships emerged.
One night in Ferguson as the crowd was dispersing, police surged into the crowd and snatched one of the protestors. The police surged again.
At some point clergymen arrived, spoke to the police, then came to our group with negotiations. There was a promise of a release before midnight if we stayed out of the street and the rest at midnight if everyone was gone.
That night three or four hostages were taken. Later we would learn that while the clergy were “negotiating,” the police had already driven off with our comrades. That night on the street, chants of “F* the police” turned to “F* the clergy.” I pray this sad commentary doesn’t befall us again.
We must be clear: Police are agents of the state. They have historically used the clergy’s access and influence to control the people. In return, clergy have gained access to those in power. To what end? Our children are still hunted prey. Our communities are still blighted. Our schools are underfunded.
What does it profit a preacher to gain the ear of a politician while losing the soul of the community? We must starve with the people before gathering one crumb from the king’s table.
Rev. Clinton Stancil, pastor of Wayman AME Church declared, “The clergy will stand with the activists, and we stand behind and we support them because we, too, are tired.”
Some clergy have stated that they will stand with activists as long as the protests remain non-violent. During the height of the protests, no one was injured by protestors. Protestors have always been non-violent.
“Stand with” simply means to be “on the side of.” For clergypersons, “stand with” means that we will not be accessible to power as tools against the people. It means we will put context, not condemnation to the tactics of the protestors; raise righteous ruckus when the police use violence against the people; place the interest of the whole over the interest of ourselves; be available for advice, encouragement and consolation; and speak life, justice, hope, and healing to and about protestors.
“The cry of the community has come to me, I have seen for myself how cruelly they’ve been treated by those in power. It is time for you to go back, to bring my people out of systemic oppression – tell White Supremacy, let my people go.” Exodus 3:9-10
Protesting is an act of resistance – laments from the souls of the afflicted which are heard in heaven.
Some clergy have stated they will oppose the protestors. I hope this is not the case. I hope that clergy will not make God look goofy and crazy to those who are watching. I hope, for the sake of the Kingdom, that we unite forces, stand with (and as) protestors and declare, “Satan, we’re gonna tear your kingdom down!”
Rev. Renita Marie Lamkin Green is pastor of St. James AME Church in Cape Girardeau.
