Respite and Regroup
Fam,
My family has been through many transitions in the last few years…
We transitioned from East Coast to the Deep South.
We transitioned from Leadership to being stripped of responsibilities.
We transitioned from being the cover of magazines and headlining local new stations to being accepted by some and shunned by many.
…All because we chose to speak out against racism and the local organizations that consciously promote and uphold a culture of white supremacy. Namely Linda and her “leadership” at Baylor and Jimmy and his “leadership” at Antioch.
It is insidious.
So as a family, we’ve taken a few months to rest, recalibrate, and recover from the wounds of racial trauma.
Yes, racial trauma is real, despite our American Healthcare system, despite our Evangelical Church system’s failure to recognize it, despite influential institution’s failure to recognize it and its threat to marginalized groups’ mental and emotional well-being. Racial Trauma is real.
As a family we believe we have a purpose to speak truth and life into one of the darkest areas in America AND in the American church. We also have come to discover that we must care for ourselves before advocating and caring for others, to avoid burnout that could ultimately lead to quitting this race prematurely.
For those who have kept in contact with us, texted us, encouraged us—we thank you!
For those who have talked behind our backs and questioned our motives—we thank you!
Hearing comments about us and our reasons for organizing our Walk for Healing demonstrations remind us just how important it is to keep advocating.
And nothing changes…
We still stand behind boycotting these churches and institutions.
Why?…
because until their hand is forced…
until the spotlight is on…
until they feel the pressure…
…these institutions will continuously deliver traumatic micro- and macro- blows to people of color, as well as other marginalized groups.
Prime example:
Baylor being part of Waco’s 2021 Juneteenth parade was traumatizing.
Representatives from Antioch being there to show support was traumatizing.
Why?…
Because the purpose of Juneteenth is to commemorate and celebrate the “freedom” of the slaves in Texas and the institution of slavery as they knew it.
No longer would they be oppressed.
No longer would they be treated as cattle.
No longer would they be marginalized.
Yet, that is EXACTLY what happens at these white led institutions.
We are oppressed.
We are treated like cattle.
We are marginalized.
So to participate in an event such as Juneteenth while actively oppressing minorities on a daily basis is not only wrong…it’s psychologically damaging—not to mention sickening.
But still my family went silent.
Part of me went silent because after speaking out, not only did I lose sleep, but I also lost clients, referrals, and funding to help those who can’t afford therapy. So for a while I thought there was no way I could speak out and maintain a business.
If I say too much I run the risk of losing more and upsetting the clients that I still have.
I believed I couldn’t grow my practice and be an activist.
But, I’m willing to make that sacrifice.
That sacrifice is a byproduct of activism and of being an ally. It’s hard to be one if you can remain in your comforts, cheering from the sidelines unbothered.
So if I lose clients or people referring business to me…
…oh well…
I had to be reminded that it is Christ who sustains me. Christ who sustains my family. Christ who sustains our business.
At first the purpose for writing this post wasn’t clear to me, however as I have typed, clarity has begun to surface:
1. Writing is a form of talking—I find writing to be therapeutic for myself.
2. To inspire those who remain a part of these local institutions to take action, namely whites—and minorities who still remain hopeful in these spaces.
I challenge you all:
Have a conversation with Jimmy, Carly, and Jeff about race and racism and what race and racism look like presently
-don’t go to Vincent or other minority leaders-
Ask them what THEY are doing to truly take a stand against the disease of racism—the same they stand against sex trafficking and other matters they deem important.
Ask them what has happened to families like ours—we were certainly not the first and likely not the last.
After being told that we are “bitter” or we have “gone rogue” or that “Antioch and the big “C” church are being persecuted”, I encourage you to meet with them every week to see how far the needle has moved on these things they are claiming to do.
But here is a tip. Come in numbers. There is strength in numbers.
Do not do this as a one on one.
Do this on Sunday mornings if you have to.
Do it until real change occurs.
Keep increasing in numbers until they understand the severity of what’s at stake…
…people’s souls…
And before things begin to happen, make sure repentance for complicity comes first.
🚨Spoiler Alert🚨
Nothing of significance will happen until the spirit of control is addressed.
To close:
We love and appreciate all of the support, the asking to meet with us, the asking to go to lunch, telling us how bold that we are, all of these things. However, this energy could be funneled into supporting the cause in other ways, such as:
1. Praying
2. Becoming a one-time and/or monthly patron. There is a list of people currently waiting to see a therapist at TRC but are stuck behind a financial barrier.
3. Refer people for counseling services with myself or refer them to Brittney for consulting services targeting Anti-Racism and DEI matters for organizations, schools, etc.
4. Connect us with local and National news outlets to help continue to spread the message of healing and ending racism.
5. Purchasing and wearing TRC merchandise to spread awareness of the campaign for healing.
6. Support events and other future efforts that are to come.
This powerful black family consists of a King, a Queen, and four Queens-in-training.
We are royalty.
A chosen race.
We are resilient.
We won’t be silenced.
We are a force to be reckoned.
We will not back down or give in to white supremacy.
We will rise above and liberate those bound by psychological changes.
We are the Wardlaws!