Nichelle Nichols, the actress who played Lt. Uhura on Star Trek, has frequently shared that she was ready to quit the 1960’s television show until Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King told her how important it was for Black youth to see her in that iconic role. As proof of that wisdom, actress Whoopi Goldberg has also said in interviews that seeing Nichelle Nichols was what inspired her to believe she could be an actress and she would eventually have a regular role on Star Trek: The Next Generation and in movies herself.
When we hear stories like this, we are aware of the power of representation. When young people can see themselves in jobs, roles, and relationships, they are affirmed. When they don’t, our youth either place limitations on themselves or they become burdened with fighting to be the “first.” As the first bisexual woman ordained in Seattle Presbytery, I can share that being “first” often carries with it a legacy of frustration, pain, and all manner of “isms.” This was true for the first Black pastor. The first woman pastor. The first gay pastor. But until you have the first, you don’t have representation and representation matters.
As we look to celebrate Pride Sunday this week, the legacy of Pride in our current climate echoes. Pride started in 1969 as a riot against police harassment and brutality. It was started by a Black, trans woman. It started the shift of the LGBTQ+ community taking a stand for their own acceptance in the community; acceptance that had to be demanded.
As we continue the important work of examining the legacies of racism, sexism, and homophobia, we have to continue to ask ourselves about the spaces and communities we create. At Northminster, we strive to be a “Safe Space” for LGBTQ+ persons and allies. Our Human Rights statement outlines how we strive to be a community that works for racial, economic, and social justice. To be these things, we have be willing to listen well to the stories of others because when we can empathize with the story, our hearts, minds, and souls are transformed. And we need to be transformed if we are going to hope to become a more diverse church. Like I said before, representation matters. Who is not in our pews and seated at our tables? We want to be church were all people can see some part of themselves in our mission and ministry because diversity is where our joy resides and as people of faith, our calling to justice has never been more clear that it is now.
In the past weeks, the pastoral staff have had many congregants share books, articles, movies, and other media that speak to our current cultural moment and we strongly encourage you to share these with one another as well. I’m including a short list of some at the end of this blog, but please, keep spreading them around.
In Genesis, God used a rainbow as promise of love. This Sunday, we will share our rainbows as a promise of love and affirmation of the LGBTQ+ community. And we continue to promote the passion of Jesus in our church body, our church building, and out in the community because Love Wins.
Resources for Further Learning
Books
“The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” by Michelle Alexander
“Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology” by Patrick S. Cheng
“Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah
“White Fragility” by Robin Diangelo
Movies/Videos:
“13TH” on Netflix
“Just Mercy” on Amazon Prime Video, free to rent through the end of June
Hannah Gadsby’s “Nannette" and “Douglas” specials on Netflix
“I Am Not Your Negro” on Amazon Prime Video
Uncovering the Greenwood Riots: https://youtu.be/yA8t8PW-OkA