Teaching “Black Pride” to Children
“Can you maybe write a post, on your blog, regarding African-American mothers of young children and how we are the same as other women? You see, I am often cut-off from family and friends because my husband and I do NOT buy into the ‘you should teach your kids black pride’ narrative. When I tell even close family (siblings), that ‘diversity’ is NOT important to us, that only JESUS is important to us, they get angry with me…….
“I do NOT want my kids to grow up thinking that the world owes them something because they are African-American and because they are ‘victims’; they are NOT, but they are sinners just like everyone else and they need a SAVIOR. My hubby and I think that this narrative is TOXIC and one of the ways that Satan uses to keep people from truly knowing Jesus. Therefore, I MUST keep my kids, unfortunately, from being influenced by MOST of my family.
“That hurts me a lot, but I remind myself (and them) that my allegiance does not belong to them, only to my husband and children, and we want our children to grow in CHRIST, NOT based on RACE!
“It makes me so sad and angry! They NEVER want to look at themselves to see what they are doing wrong, they only want to push false narratives…..! Its SICKENING!
“Do you ever have anyone else ask you that question, Miss Lori? Have any African-American men ever asked Ken that question? Sometimes I am not sure how to deal with it, and I have lost many family members who have been offended because I will NOT let my children hang out with them.
“They also get mad because of where hubby and I have decided to live….as if we should live next to other African-Americans even if it means that our children will not see and be exposed to Jesus, which is the ONLY thing that matters to me!
“Lori, is there any chance that you can address this in one of your posts on your blog, specifically? Please forgive me if I am being too forward or if I m asking too much or if I am being long-winded—I am trying to find like-minded women but they seem to few and far…..”
I received this email from a woman and here is my post for her. First of all, this is what God states about pride: “Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). The only thing that we should take pride in is knowing Jesus Christ as our Savior. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14).
When I was growing up, we sang a song that went, “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” This is how we should be raising our children. The color of one’s skin means nothing. We are all equal in value and worth. We are all sinners in need of a Savior as this woman stated and once we believe, God calls us saints no matter what the color of the skin.
God hates division among His children. He has called us to be a peace with ALL men as far as it depends upon us. “Black pride” and division should not be named among us; for we are all one in Christ. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17).
Raising children with a victim mentality is one of the worse things you can do for them. Teach them, instead, who they are in Christ and that they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them. Teach them that life isn’t fair and they need to learn to work hard, love others, and treat them as they want to be treated. Teach them how destructive bitterness is and how we are to forgive each other 70 times seven times, yes, even the sins of past generations. Teach them to be full of grace and mercy towards others.
In this way, you will raise children who are a benefit to their culture. They will grow up to be productive citizens who hold nothing against others. They will be salt and light to a wicked and adulterous nation since they are not grumbling and complaining about their “lot” in life but thanking the Lord for all the good they have; for godliness with contentment is great gain!
Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.
Philippians 2:15
21 thoughts on “Teaching “Black Pride” to Children”
Good morning Lori, Is there anyway I could contact this women? I would like to speak to her directly if she is willing. As a brown women maybe I can be of some assistance. I do not want to post anything on your blog public, especially on a topic such as this. I rather speak to her directly if she wants too. You can keep this comment hidden if you like.
Before one of my daughters was married, she taught in a Christian inner city school. I would go to be a teacher’s helper from time to time. Many instances the students would grumble and say, “Black lives matter!” My very wise daughter always responded by simply stating, “ALL LIVES MATTER!” Yes, we are all precious in His sight. Thanks for sharing, Lori.
Lori,
I’m so glad I’m not the only Christian African-American mom who believes this way and honestly I thought I was the only one. I don’t want my daughters to have that ” victim” mentality and that the world ” owes” them.
I want them to know that Christ died for all and at Judgement Day we are not going to be judged on how many Black Lives Matters rallies, how many St. Patrick’s Day parades they were in(my girls are half white) or whatever the latest race related protest is.
What matters is if they have lead a life that is pleasing to God. Lori you can pass along my contact information to this mom.
I grew up in a family with a similar mindset but on the opposite end of the spectrum. After I came to know Jesus as my Saviour my mindset completely changed and the color of a person’s skin no longer mattered. My children have friends of various colors and races. They don’t even notice any difference because we never put up walls and never even make it a topic of discussion. Of course we would talk about it if we needed to.
I can really relate to this post. I too struggle with a good friend who is in the grip of this “narrative” and I long for the day when the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes her narrative, her story. The narrative is so strong that it colors the way she sees everything and I can see the crippling effects of it. It’s hard for me to say anything without receiving a strong pushback because I have not had the same experiences. Sometimes I feel I am up against a wall. I can only pray that the truth would set her free.
I love this post! Spot on! Why the labels? Why do I need to be proud of my race? Why do you need to be proud of yours? None of that matters at all. I have never understood why we need months of the year to lift up a race, entertainment channels for a certain race. It’s so divisive. We should only be proud of things that matter. Jesus matters. Let’s be proud of our identity in HIM only.
Lori, I’m glad you printed this lady’s e-mail in your blog. I am a Christian black lady {just disclosing this based on the subject of the lady’s e-mail}. However, I know that as a believer, my life is hid with Christ in God {Colossians 3:3}. That is the thing that defines me most and where my allegiance should lie. Many black people who profess to be Christian seem more concerned with civil rights and racial/social justice matters than things pertaining to God.
I can certainly see why Mrs. Shea above said she thought she was the only one. It’s a rare and unique position to be in, and often lonely. Thank the Lord that He is always with us and blesses obedience.
I don’t 100% agree with you on this one. But I do agree that there is no “skin color” narrative.
The reason is because some of us have heritage from Germany. The people considered themselves better than Jewish people. Jewish people are indigenous to the bible.
The “brown skin” (the common skin tone of biblical indigenous people) (or any other skin tone) people do not deserve to be excommunicated or deserve gossip and scorn because of nationality and heritage.
I reached out to her and I will send you her email if she tells me to do so.
Yes, all lives do matter, Holly. You do have a very wise daughter!
You are raising your daughters to be godly women, Regina, and they are blessed because of it.
It’s fun to watch children of all colors playing together, Amanda, since they don’t even notice the different skin colors and it means nothing to them. No one has to take “pride” in anything. They simply enjoy each other.
Bitterness defiles many, the Bible clearly states, ED, and this is what is crippling your friend. Hopefully, the power of the Gospel will invade her life and she will find her true freedom in Christ. He alone has come to set the captives free!
Amen! All who believe are new creatures in Christ and this is what unites people, not marches, protests, riots, or anything else.
It seems that all who choose to walk on the narrow path that leads to eternal life feel some sense of loneliness and isolation in their lives (not even based upon skin color), Lady Virtue. In our chat room, we have women of all skin colors and nationalities and it is Christ who unites all of us and makes us sisters-in-Christ yet many have expressed their loneliness because of the way they have chosen to obey the Lord in all areas of their lives.
People need Jesus more than they need anything else since this life on this earth is temporary, whereas eternity is eternal.
Blessings to you!
No people groups deserve to be excommunicated or deserve gossip and scorn but we live in a wicked and adulterous world and many are being deceived by the prince of the power of the air so these things are to be expected. Life will NEVER be fair.
Many hate Christians and Christians have been and are being persecuted all over the world. If we expect fairness in this world, we have expectations that will never be met.
Godliness with contentment is great gain and we must learn to be thankful for what we do have and be grateful. Being unthanful is the beginning of walking away from truth and living in sin according to Romans 1.
I love this post!
Not being American, I’m not overly familiar with the African-American culture or about “black pride” but I love this post anyway.
Yes, God created everyone, and we are all equal in worth.
YES!!! I completely agree Lauren! I love *people*….not skin colors! We’re all different…and unique! It makes none better than another…it just makes a beautiful world of colors that God created! 🙂
Loved the email from the woman and also your reply! Thank you Lori! :o)
Lori, I feel the exact same way!! I am the black sheep of my family. I’m african American and married to a white man and we prefer to live out in the country. I have always kept quiet about this but I have often thought this! Is there anyway you can share my email with her! So nice to have someone like minded to talk with!
i am white with white Ashkenazi (not brown like Middle eastern jews) Jewish great great grandparents and a mother who was Scottish, English and Romani gypsy. i am as mixed race as they come, but no matter! we are all created by God an dloved by Him. the lady who reached out to Lori is absolutely right- the black vs white thing just causes division.
we are one in Christ. we are His.