The word whitesplaining includes the ways and means that people use to make excuses for racist and/or prejudiced behavior.

To be clear: one does not have to be white to participate in #whitesplaining, in my book. Naturally the mainstream definition of the term does not come from a person with a Christian worldview. This blog is my attempt to clarify from a Christian’s point of view.

The behavior of whitesplaining can take on a myriad of scenarios:

Anyone of any ethnicity that “well actuallys” a clear instance of horrid, ungodly, reprehensible behavior in regards to analyzing a racially charged situation.

“Well actually, this person is married to a black woman, so he can’t be a racist, regardless of what he just did!”

Folks who live to play devil’s advocate at the absolute wrong time when more than enough proof is present to judge with right judgment. (John 7:24)

“What if they didn’t mean it that way? They could’ve been angry because the person cut in line, not because they were from another country.”

The whitesplainer makes up excuses that are not even visible or easily discerned, to dismiss the CLEAR sinful behavior (video, commentary, blog, primary source quotes, etc.) of the racist or prejudiced individual(s).

“Do we know what happened prior to this video clip that provoked the person to act negatively…”

Dismissing the hurt of and refusing empathy to the person who was clearly wronged while including their abuser, giving them empathy, and assigning the abuser more agency/dignity than the abused party.

“What will happen in this person’s life after being accused of racism! Their entire life will be ruined!”

Bringing up past sins of a injured party to try to disqualify them from being taken seriously, being respectfully heard, receiving any sympathy, empathy, or justice for how they have been wronged.

“They found Marijuana in Botham Jean’s apartment.”

Bringing up past sins or doctrinal deficiencies of non-white historical figures to fully disqualify all the good things that God used them to accomplish. Also used to disqualify entire people groups from their contributions to the Christian faith while inflating the contributions of white historical figures.

“Martin Luther King Jr. was a heretic, and that disqualifies any good that he did. He should not be uplifted as a hero or a Christian.”

 

“The white, European, Western Society Christians are truly the ones who no only preserved Christian orthodoxy for everyone, including recapturing the Bible in the original languages, they are the ones who shaped the course of Protestant Christianity throughout the world and specifically here in the United States.

I don’t mean to be dismissive of their contribution, but African-American Christians are a small portion built upon the main foundation, that just so happens to be, according to God’s providence, a white, Western European/English one.”

 

“What black person helped in the pioneering of the Reformation, upon which American protestantism is built?”

Long explanations to try to explain away the racist and/or prejudiced sins of “approved role models,” and “Heroes of the Faith.” Making excuses for their clearly sinful, abusive, and ungodly behaviors to retain their status and worship. Only quoting the things they contributed to history, society, etc that were positive while chasing away valid claims of sin with vitriol, false claims of divisiveness, impugning Christian unity,  and stirring up strife.

“Martin Luther said some anti-semitic things but look at what he did with the Reformation!”

 

“Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield were slave owners but they were “men of their time,” and they treated their slaves well. It should not disqualify them from the good work they did spreading the Gospel!”

Misquoting tortured, one sided data that reflects negatively upon the abused party or people group to deflect from the topic or egregious situation that is being discussed.

“You need to deal with the black on black crime, and the high abortion rate in the black community before complaining about a black man being killed by a police officer.”

Demeaning a person by criticizing their grammar, spelling, accent (real life interaction), first language, or communication style instead of addressing their argument (usually online) or tactfully asking clarifying questions to attempt to seek understanding.

“Is English your first language? I don’t even understand what you are trying to communicate because you don’t use correct punctuation or grammar.”

Shaming people and/or virtue signaling about the nature of their online posts, instead of addressing the topic of the actual post on which they are commenting.

“You sound so bitter, all you ever talk about nowadays is…”

 

“I guess I’m just a little taken aback. You usually post such uplifting things! This post is so negative and is fueling the fire.”

 

“Racism is alive and well, we don’t need to share to constantly remind everyone.”

 

People Who Live in Glass Houses

I’ve whitesplained many times, two specific instances come to mind: when Trayvon Martin was murdered and when “Dr. White” went on a racist rant about a young black boy crossing the street in Phoenix.

At that time it just seemed more important to me to virtue signal, Jesus Juke and dismiss the feelings of my community in the name of public piety, than it was to empathize with those who had been wronged.

I fully acknowledge and admit I was wrong for that response.

I also admit that many times when I was whitesplaining, I didn’t even realize I was doing it or why I was doing it.

A lot of it had to do with me chasing the label of “reasonable black person.” For me that idolatry was wrapped up in a lot of hurt and pain. I still have a long, long, way to go before I will totally kick the habit of trying to craft a false self that the world will find acceptable.

If I have ever offended you in this way, my sincerest apologies.

 

What Can Be Done?

Now that we know the problem exists and that it is very damaging to a lot of people, what can be done?

I am truly not sure that there is an easy answer.

As I watch others who engage in this behavior, mostly in online discussion, but also within real life interactions as well, it presents as a default reaction. Our skepticism and insensitivity just bleeds out onto our fingertips and tongues with no filter.

We definitely need to pray. It is only by the power God that our sinful, fallen selves, can have lasting changed behavior.

It also takes much prayer to expose deeply ingrained deceptions, sins, prejudices, and insensitive stereotypical biases.

Humility is essential to mitigating this issue. As I engaged in this whitesplaining myself a lot of my inability to listen was rooted and grounded in pride. Pride that said I knew better than the person whose argument I was refusing to hear or address.

It takes humility to sit and listen to what is being said with a posture that communicates, “I want to understand your side of the argument accurately. I will not interrupt you. I want to get clarity on what you are saying prior to responding. I believe that I can learn from you, just as much as you could possibly learn something from me in this interaction.”

We all could use a little more discipline.

I can only speak for myself, but at times it is extremely hard for me to not speak about things that I have not researched well. This has definitely been to my detriment 99% of the time.

We must be disciplined enough to walk away from a conversation when we cannot speak from a place of knowledge, perspective, basic compassion, and understanding on a topic.

Also, again humility comes into play, because humbling oneself and saying, “I cannot really speak to what you are arguing right now, as I am not well versed on that topic,” could stop a high percentage of sinful interactions from happening daily.

I personally have prayed for increased discipline to read, study, and seek out opposing sides to an issue to get a full orbed view. It is very tempting to settle in the comfort of our echo chambers with people who agree with our theology, sociological, and/or political views. We cannot be intellectually lazy and give into that temptation. Study history and theology from people who don’t look like you.

Lastly, remembering that the action of communicating truth does not exist in a neutral vacuum.

How we communicate a truth should be very important to us. Why? Because it is important to Jesus, as he admonishes us in the Scriptures to communicate truth gently, and with respect.

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” Ephesians 4:15

 

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29

 

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15

 

“These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;” Zechariah 8:16

I am guilty again. I like many others have been known to be abrasive in how I drop a truth bomb. This is not pleasing to God and I find myself repenting often.

“Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy.”

― Warren Wiersbe

I do fear hurting others with my words or withholding grace to anyone who deserves it. I always want to be seen as a truth teller but I don’t want to brutalize with truth nor do I want to stand by idle as others maim with their words.

I’ve avoided writing a blog like this for years now (I repent again for my sinful silence), but due to the volume of interactions I have seen and participated in lately that lead to these kinds of interactions, I could no longer avoid speaking on it. I would not be loving my brothers in sisters in Christ well if I were to remain silent.

If you want to chime in with other examples or ways that you have de-escalated bad situations, please feel free to comment. I pray that this is helpful to someone.