By Dr. Lani Wilson
Good Morning, Prayer Servants! Hopefully, you are enjoying more of this summer’s unusual (now “usual”) weather. It is July and we are experiencing unusually low temperatures; muggy, 90 degrees one day and then 60 degrees and cloudy the next. Do we dare think that there just may be a true El Niño event this year?
As we continue to pray and fast for our little way station and the Body of Christ, the word for consideration this week is “safe.” It is amazing what this simple four-letter word engenders when we think of it: Comfort, freedom from harm, relaxed, secure. Our first memories of feeling safe are usually in the arms of a protective adult or caregiver, and it is expected that it will be the same person or persons. Human beings don’t like change much, especially those we depend on. We go through all kinds of contortions to keep things the same, consistent, steady; maybe even fixed. Therefore, sometimes the word “safe” comes to mean “the same” and maybe even peaceful. It is obvious that the vulnerable, the precious, the rare needs to be kept safe.
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder.” Luke 11:21-22 (NRSV)
"When a strong man, armed to the teeth, stands guard in his front yard, his property is safe and sound. But what if a stronger man comes along with superior weapons? Then he’s beaten at his own game, the arsenal that gave him such confidence hauled off, and his precious possessions plundered. Luke 11:21-22 (TMB)
But a couple of questions might arise, if we allow them. What is being protected? What “property?” If armor can be “taken away” or “hauled off,” is that the best kind of armor to have?
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art form that has gained popularity in the United States in the last fifteen years. Forbidden to carry weapons, Africans captured and brought to South America in the 1500s (specifically Brazil) invented this physically demanding martial art under the guise of a dance form. But as my youngest child’s Zensay (Capoeira Mestre or Master) explained, “We make it fun and say we are playing capoeira, but if she gets into a situation where she has to defend herself, I fully expect her to take care of business.” Thus, although it is full of music with a circle of constantly moving, dancing bodies flying through the air, capoeira is a serious and demanding martial art. Practiced as self-defense, it can be deadly.
Capoeira is a fluid, rhythmic ritual, with enigmatic and often contradictory characteristics. The gestures of the capoeirista are those of a martial artist, with ritualized but sometimes violent attacks and counter attacks. Capoeira is 'played' in the style of an African dance, which has two main features: atabaques (drums) and a roda (circle) formation with dancers in the centre. Participants in the circle sing, clap and play the drums and other instruments; the songs and rhythms guide the two sparring dancers. Capoeira is considered a game, typical of the uninhibited and expressive activities of children that feature simultaneous cooperation and competition Capoeira weaves African and Brazilian tradition, history, spirituality, and philosophy into a unique martial art orally transmitted from mestres (masters) to students.
Joseph J. Transgressing Boundaries and Crossing Borders. Women & Environments International Magazine [serial online]. Winter2005 2005;(68/69):31-33.
As with many self-defense forms created to deflect and defeat an opponent with greater external defenses such as metal weaponry, capoeira relies on the agility, calm, and internal prowess and discipline of the individual. Your body, your mind, and as capoeiristas are taught, your spirit are your weapons. After eight years of weekly study and practice, my child reached the rank of Formada, two ranks (and several degrees) below the Mestre or in the case of my daughter’s Master, the Zensay. There are few women in capoeira and at the time my daughter successfully advanced, she was a rarity in the capoeira world.
In order to advance to this level, the student is not just orally examined for knowledge of the all aspects of the martial art form, including music, handmade instruments and weapons but also evaluated for character development displayed over years of observation in taking responsibility for the younger students and an appropriate attitude while working. Finally, the student is physically challenged by playing capoeira with the Mestre: It is not a given and no small feat. The greatest lessons taught were internal, of the spirit: Respect, self-control, discipline, peace, generosity, humility, and of course, safety.
The first time you see a capoeira demonstration or class, you are impressed with the music, the singing, the circle of capoeiristas kneeling, waiting their turn to jump into the circle or roda (pronounced “hoda”) to face the next opponent or player. Barefoot and in loose white pants, the players sing, clap, and the Mestre’s assistants take turns on different instruments. It is entirely free of mechanical contraptions because capoeira was created by African slaves who were torn from everything and then had nothing. As we know from our own American experience, from nothing we had to create everything. Thus, “everything” was not in any three dimensional, physical state but in an intangible, invisible one that required discipline and an extensive philosophical approach to suffering and joy. In capoeira one doesn’t display the latest physical achievements for the sake of demonstration or prowess. It is done in the context of a give-and-take dance with your opponent challenging you with a kick or a somersault on the ground or in the air, all the while focusing on your response in defense while constantly keeping time doing the jenga, the side-to-side step that is the first and basic movement learned. “Playing capoeira” is the physical embodiment of the African-American congregants’ call-and-response.
Central to capoeira and the unique African-American worship experience is the give-and-take in the community experience. You are both defending and challenging each other to protect yourself and the community. You are expected to practice and hone your skills for the benefit of what is at stake. For centuries of enslaved African-Americans it was the possibility of escape and freedom. But while you waited for “your change to come” and suffered, you had to protect what was the only possession you knew the slaver couldn’t take: Your soul. And in protecting your soul, you protected generations to come because without a soul, you were the walking dead.
When Jesus saw that a curious crowd was growing by the minute, he told his disciples to get him out of there to the other side of the lake. As they left, a religion scholar asked if he could go along. "I’ll go with you, wherever," he said. Jesus was curt: "Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know." Another follower said, "Master, excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have my father’s funeral to take care of." Jesus refused. "First things first. Your business is life, not death. Follow me. Pursue life." Matthew 8:18-22 (TMB)
It could be easily and truthfully be said that to live as a Black American is to risk life itself for just being. But to expect to be treated as a full sentient, contributory, valued equal is threatening to many in this country who still cling to five centuries of colonial myth.
American public opinion on the Confederate flag remains about where it was 15 years ago, with most describing the flag as a symbol of Southern pride more than one of racism, according to a new CNN/ORC poll. And questions about how far to go to remove references to the Confederacy from public life prompt broad racial divides. The poll shows that 57% of Americans see the flag more as a symbol of Southern pride than as a symbol of racism, about the same as in 2000 when 59% said they viewed it as a symbol of pride.
Poll: Majority sees Confederate flag as Southern pride symbol, not racist
By Jennifer Agiesta, CNN Polling Director Cnnpolitics.com, Thu July 2, 2015
In the 150th year after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, there are many Americans who believe that they are the “strong man, fully armed” who must stand guard. But guard over what? And to whom does it all belong?
"The cross and the Confederate flag cannot coexist without one setting the other on fire," he said. "White Christians, let's listen to our African-American brothers and sisters. Let's care not just about our own history, but also about our shared history with them.
Russell Moore, President, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist ConventionOn Confederate flag, southern white Christians do some soul searching
By Eugene Scott, cnnpolitics.com Tue June 30, 2015
Sometimes it seems that within our African-American churches, we have many guards but it is unclear if we understand who is guarding what and what for. Is it for a specific doctrine? Is it for a specific constituency? Is it for a particular policy? Is it for a legacy? Is it for a particular at-risk group? Are we all guarding something that has anything to do with Jesus? And what kinds of weapons do we have at our defense?
And so, after the Civil War, African Americans arranged themselves into all manner of self-help groups patterned upon the gilded hierarchies of Tara. Most Americans are at least aware of the role of the black church in this effort at uplift, as well as of the NAACP, of the Tuskegee Institute, and of the Urban League. Thanks to Spike Lee’s movie, School Daze, perhaps a few more are even aware of the contribution of historically black colleges—as well as the function of segregated Greek fraternities and sororities—in coalescing fairly conservative, life-long networking circles.
Obama and the Black Elite Patricia J. Williams, thedailybeast.com August 21, 2009
Although this article is six years old, we still have to wonder, “has anything changed” in terms of the “coalescing fairly conservative, life-long networking circles?” Are our churches losing members and not attracting new ones because we have forgotten what we are guarding and what our greatest weapons are?
"Then he said to those standing there, ’Take the money from him and give it to the servant who doubled my stake.’ "They said, ’But Master, he already has double . . .’ "He said, ’That’s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag. "’As for these enemies of mine who petitioned against my rule, clear them out of here. I don’t want to see their faces around here again.’" Luke 19:24-27 (TMB)
This is one of Jesus’ more complex stories touching on several aspects of the state of humankind in relation to God and how to live out that relationship. If we focus on verse 26, we might get a glimpse of what The Christ expects of us; what we are supposed to be guarding; and what weapons we have at our disposal.
Listen carefully to what I am saying-and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes." Mark 4:24-25 (TMB)
Is it possible that the 21st Century Black church requires a new dedication; one not so much bent on proving that we are able to “uplift.” We require a rededication to the transformative power of a crucified and risen God who told us in a complex story about investment that it is NOT “what you see is what you get” (“Geraldine” - Flip Wilson, 1933-1998). It is what you DON’T see that gives God Her return on that investment in you.
It’s the unbridled scrapping-for-life of the 14 year old prostitute who even in her enslavement is still alive and trying. It’s the pure courage of our young people to push on to work and go to school and try to study when all hell is breaking loose at home. It’s the faith and determination of some families to come into an Allen Temple to worship in the best clothes they have and no matter how they’re treated dare to sit next to Prada-clad, Givenchy-drenched, Alexander McQueen-suited “defenders” of the 20th Century Black church. Could it be that many of our young people, the Millennials, don’t really care about proving anything to aged, colonial-minded Americans of any race? They care more about their multiracial friendships, their LGBTQ buddies, their Latino/a classmates – documented or not, that new and different career. They care more about what kind of person is under that skin, not what label is covering them. Is it possible that this next cohort of young Americans more approaches what Christ Jesus was talking about when He said we cannot “play it safe?” These young folk don’t seem to be burdened with what we thought we were guarding, the order of things: Black Chauvinism, heterosexual marriage; the high school to college to job pipeline; the 9 to 5 job with a house in a certain zip code; the permanence of social class assignment. They’re kind of interested in investing their years in being open to new things, new places, new ideas, and not preserving and stocking away a 20th Century notion of success to be left “holding the bag.” That takes some kind of gumption; summoning up courage and “stepping out on faith” - because that is what is in the bag: Faith. There is nothing safe about walking into new territory, no matter what your age. Is it what can be seen and confirmed that Jesus the Christ was talking about?
Jesus said, "So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing." John 20:29 (TMB)
Maybe those of us standing guard with all our armor are guarding the wrong house with the wrong weaponry.
What roda are you in?
Lord Jesus, thank You so much for always modeling the behavior You prefer from us. Thank You for patiently hanging around while we dither in the wrong neighborhood, focused on “Christianity-lite” instead of “Christianity-deep.” Thank You for giving us children who challenge our notions of what should be protected and what must be disgarded, in spite of us. Thank You for filling our coffers when we didn’t do anything to deserve one. Please, in your mercy, send us more of Your young people who make us question and rethink everything we thought we knew. Thank You for being so current, so real, and so present, especially when we don’t feel safe. Safety is nonsensical if there is nothing to be afraid of. Make us truly aware of every gift You send, no matter how different, strange or new. You are the New Jerusalem. Help us stay focused on the Light ahead, danger be damned.
Fill me up. Fill my cup. Fill me up.
Purge me of the old wine.
Fill me up. Fill my cup. Fill me up.
And I won’t be afraid. Safe.
Amen.
