Nebraska Synod ELCA

In recounting his early life, Frederick Douglass describes how the mistress of the household in which he was enslaved began as a caring, maternal figure who was determined to teach him to read. When her husband heard of her plans, he convinced her that education would make a slave unmanageable, and Douglass recounts that obedience to her husband grew into a tyrant who adopted many of the worst views and practices of slaveholders. In a remarkable moment of empathy, Douglass sums up the consequences of her transformation by claiming, “[s]lavery proved as injurious to her as it did to me.” While Frederick Douglass suffered the physical and psychological brutalities of slavery, the slaveholding mistress suffered the institution’s moral and spiritual deprivations.

Now, nearly two hundred years later, as we confront more subtle forms of racial injustice within the structures of our institutions, including the ELCA, Douglass reminds us that racism erodes the humanity of all who experience it as victims or perpetuators. While systems like slavery have ended, institutions both secular and sacred have entrenched the concept of race, a fabricated system of human classification, and we continue to suffer the stultifying effects of that system.

R.A.R.E. (Racial Awareness, Reconciliation, and Engagement) was created within the Nebraska Synod five years ago with the following mission: By increasing awareness about the history and nature of racism, creating opportunities for reconciliation, and promoting engagement among diverse people, we can better live out the command to love God and love our neighbor. Through grace we commit to the task of shedding our prejudices and participating in the rich blessing of human difference.

Toward that end, R.A.R.E. has developed a resource list with study guides, developed a Let’s Talk about Racism Zoom series on topics ranging from mass incarceration to critical race theory, visited churches to assist with antiracism initiatives, and, most recently, produced a video inviting congregations to nominate diverse candidates to Synod Council.

Some of R.A.R.E.’s members have experienced the direct material and emotional effects of racism, while others, like myself, are implicated in its spiritual fallout. All of our members feel called to work within the church to raise awareness about racism and develop strategies for creating a more equitable church.

Now, as we anticipate the election of a new bishop, we look back with deep appreciation for the leadership and support of Bishop Maas, and we look forward to continuing the work of identifying and eradicating structural racism within the church.

For those interested in advancing this work in your congregations, the members of R.A.R.E. would love to hear from you at rare@nebraskasynod.org

This post was written by Brad Johnson, a member of the Nebraska Synod R.A.R.E committee.