I have followed Proverbs 31 Ministries (PV31), a non-denominational Christian ministry for women, since I was 18. Over the years, I have been encouraged by the daily devotions I receive, and I’ve even read a few books by Lysa TerKeurst, the ministry’s founder.
This ministry covers a wide range of topics relating to Christian women: motherhood, marriage and divorce, career, friendships, etc. Now, I could be wrong about this (because I only receive their email devotions) but although I have seen PV31 address sensitive topics like abortion, homosexuality, and politics, I have very rarely seen a devotion that covered a biblical view of racism and injustice.
In fact, only recently have I seen this topic addressed in one devotion from July 2020. And PV31 has added a statement on racism to its website. Note: I commend PV31 for including this part in the statement:
We confess and lament that we have stayed silent for too long and not spoken out publicly against this hate and violence. We confess and lament that we have not stood up publicly for our oppressed and marginalized Black sisters and brothers.
A lot of predominantly white Christian churches and ministries have shied away from speaking up about racism, so I do applaud leaders like those in PV31 who have recently acknowledged this wrongdoing and are taking steps to correct it.
So, imagine my delight to see a Black History Month (BHM) post on PV31’s Instagram page. Being that I am new to the platform, I did a little research to see if PV31 has previously posted about BHM. Although it’s disappointing to see that they have recycled the same MLK quote and standard “we celebrate black history month” post every February 1st, it was nice to see that they at least make an effort to recognize the month.
But, after looking at some of the comments under this month’s recognition post, I quickly realized that not every PV31 follower felt the same.
I agreed with the commenter, mrstmorgan07, wholeheartedly except I’m the Christian woman who left that post feeling super salty.
Why is it offensive every time something or someone black or associated with black culture is recognized? And 2021 marks the 45th year that BHM has officially been celebrated in the United States; why is this celebration still a topic of discussion?
So, to my fellow salty Christian sisters and everyone else who has issues with this idea of a month celebrating black people, allow me to address a few concerns to hopefully one day avoid this constant debate.
Questions About BHM We Need to Stop Asking
Why is BHM celebrated in February, the shortest month of the year?
This was intentionally oppressive, right? Wrong. Carter G. Woodson was a black historian dedicated to promoting education and awareness about African American’s contributions to American history. He founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), and in 1925, he and others within ASNLH came up with the idea of Negro History Week, the precursor to African American History Month. The first celebration of Negro History Week was in 1926, and a specific week in February was chosen to honor the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. This week’s celebration grew more popular over the next 50 years and was eventually turned into the monthlong celebration we all now know. (source: africanamericanhistorymonth.gov)
The amount of days in February have nothing to do with how long black history is “worthy” to be honored. Let’s put this topic to rest, please.
Why does America honor one group with a specific month and not others?
- February: African American Heritage Month
- March: Irish-American Heritage Month and Women’s History Month
- May: Asian Pacific Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month
- June: LGBTQ Pride Month
- September-October: National Hispanic Heritage Month
- October: National Disability Employment Awareness Month (source: Library of Congress)
Enough said.
Doesn’t focusing on specific groups cause division?
Many people question if black history is American history, why not simply celebrate American history? Doesn’t specifying the black portion divide us? Carter G. Woodson and others desired to have a set time recognizing the contributions of African Americans because he knew that this group of people was overlooked. We learn about wars, and reconstruction, tragedies and triumphs, and all the events in history that have made America the nation it is today. Yet, 99.9 percent of the time, the real contributions and struggles of the black people who helped develop this nation are reduced to a few pages about MLK, Rosa Parks, and the Civil Rights Movement. This time of celebration isn’t about elevating a group of people higher than another; it’s about recognizing and honoring that this group has and still does significantly contribute to this country.
Also, I want to challenge those who quickly jump to the “this creates division” and “we’re all equal” arguments. Do you turn your nose up at Women’s History Month? Do you publicly question why someone like Susan B. Anthony should be honored or question why there isn’t a Men’s history month?
Do you opt out of wearing green and that oh-so lucky four-leaf clover pin on St. Patrick’s Day? Recognizing Irish-American Heritage Month means you’re perpetuating division, right?
If the only time you have an issue with specific group recognition is when that group is black, your offense runs deeper than perceived divisions.
Shouldn’t black history be celebrated every day and not just for one month?
It certainly should, just like Christ’s birth, and veterans, and your mother and father should be celebrated every day. However, this does not mean that these people do not deserve a set time of public recognition and honor.
If we are honest, many Americans do not regularly educate themselves about black history. Carter G. Woodson and others created Negro History Week as a form of education about contributions from the black community, and there are many organizations that work daily to promote awareness about black people’s history and culture. The movement doesn’t stop because the month is over. Black people create #blackhistoryeverday.
But just as our nation chooses to publicly honor past presidents and laborers and set aside time for Americans to shift their focus and reflect upon and celebrate individual and group achievements, BHM is a dedicated time to publicly recognize the work of black people.
One woman who commented on the PV31 post said that people are people, not colors. We were all created equal and you will never stop discrimination as long as you point out color or race.
I agree that we were all created equal as image bearers of Christ. But God also chose to create us differently, and we cannot deny that our differences also reflect Him.
To see my blackness and every other thing that sets me apart from you and choose to respect and honor it is to see my humanity.
And more than anyone else, we as Christians should model seeing this humanity by celebrating and showing love to all people—especially those who have been depreciated.
Didn’t the Apostle Paul tell us that the diverse parts that make up the body of Christ should have equal concern for one another? From social media comments to our daily interactions, I pray that we extend this concept beyond the church to show that offering recognition to a minority group does not weaken the value of the collective society. It only strengthens it.