Groceries

We say the danger is CRT.
What about shopping for groceries?
What about denying what we see?
White supremacy.

Father Whiteness says, “You’re being political.”
Lady Wisdom says “You’re being insensible.”
Creator God says, “This is theological.”
White supremacy.

Why all the defensiveness?
Why the lack of pensiveness?
Where is Jesus is all of this?
White supremacy.

White bullets continue to fly.
Black neighbors continue to die.
White obstinance still denies
White supremacy.

Written May 16, 2022, reflecting on the 18 year old man motivated by self-proclaimed white supremacy who shot and killed 10 people in Buffalo, New York, targeting a grocery story in the heart of a predominately Black community.

About Fred

Fred came to serve greater Williamsburg and WCC as lead pastor in October of 2010 and is grateful to be a part of the family. He is a husband, father, certified trauma professional, S.T.A.R. (strategies for trauma awareness & resilience) practitioner, community organizer, TEDx alum, founder of 3e Restoration, Inc. and co-owner of Philoxenia Culture LLC. He received his B.S. in Ministry/Bible at Amridge University and his Master’s of Religious Education in Missional Leadership from Rochester University. Currently he is a candidate for a Doctorate of Ministry in Contextual Theology in at Northern Seminary in Chicago. Fred has also served as an adjunct professor for Rochester University and Regent University where taught courses in philosophy, ethics, leadership, pastoral care, intro to Christianity, and ethnography. He has also served as a guest lecturer on the subjects of racialized cultural systems, poverty, and missiology at various universities, such as William & Mary and Oklahoma Christian University. Fred has authored on book (Racialized Cultural Systems, Social Displacement and Christian Hospitality) and several curriculum offerings, including The FloorPlan: Living Toward Restoration & Resilience. Fred enjoys hanging out with his family anytime, anywhere. He is deeply grateful for how God graciously works through the Church in all her various forms, despite our brokenness. He is passionate about seeing the last, least, and lonely of every neighborhood, city and nation experience God’s in-breaking kingdom, and come to know Jesus as King. Oh, and his favorite season is Advent and Christmas. Fred is a founding member of the board of directors for Virginia Racial Healing Institute, a member of the leadership team for Williamsburg's local chapter of Coming to the Table, and a member of Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Network's Racial Trauma Committee and Training Committee.
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1 Response to Groceries

  1. Anonymous says:

    Thank you, Fred. This poem pierces my heart and gathers up my feelings for the past few days. I’m so grateful you wrote it. Thayer Cory

    Like

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