Celebrating Black History Month- A Call to Wash Each Other’s Feet
by: Akua Carmichael
So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. John 13:14 (The Message)
For the past several decades, Black History Month has been celebrated in various parts of our country and it was made official in 2008 by the Canadian Parliament. February is traditionally set aside to honour and highlight the many and significant contributions of Black people to Canada. We do this because the history traditionally taught in our schools and showcased in everyday life has been from a perspective that has generally failed to recognize or communicate the contributions of Black people to our nation.
Many are the outstanding contributions of Black Canadians in all spheres of Canadian life including in the medical, political, film, and beauty industries, made by Anderson Ruffin Abbot, Betty Riley, Viola Davis, Lincoln MacCauley Alexander, and Jean Augustine, among many, many others. I encourage you to make the personal investment of committing to continually learning about the contributions made by Black Canadians to our country.
While I am thankful that we all have the opportunity to learn more about Black history, not just in February, but throughout the year, my heart remains heavy because there is still much work to do to overcome anti-Black racism in our world, and yes, even in this great nation, called Canada. What does encourage me, is that we, the followers of Christ, are well equipped to lead this important work.
Fighting racism and being anti-racist must begin with us, within the body Christ.
Fighting racism and being anti-racist must begin with us, within the body Christ. Chapter 13 of the book of John provides explicit detail of Jesus’ final meal with His disciples. He did something, which was likely astounding to all of them. He washed their feet. And when He finished, He commanded them to also wash each other’s feet. What can we learn from Christ’s example and commandment?
Washing Each Other’s Feet – Jesus is our example
Washing feet was considered a lowly, menial task. I can imagine how surprised the disciples were that Jesus, their master and teacher, would wash their feet. It would have made much more sense for one of them to be washing Jesus’ feet. After all, washing feet in those times would have been considered unpleasant work for obvious reasons. Sandals were often worn and the feet attracted dirt, dust, and other unpleasant things. And yet Christ willingly washed their feet. It was a foreshadowing of the blood He would shed to wash their and our sin stained lives. He did it to provide an example to His disciples and to us of how we are to serve one another. Life is messy and it can get very dirty. Washing each other’s feet requires that we humble ourselves and be willing to meet one another at our respective places of need. It requires our willingness to help shoulder or even carry our sister’s or brother’s burden, just as Christ did for all. How many of us willingly and joyfully rush to the front of the line to be the chief feet washer and burden bearer?
What could the washing of the feet of our Black sisters and brothers look like in modern times, especially as it relates to racism?
We know that the sin of racism seeks to dehumanize, hold back, exclude, repress and reject. How are our non-Black brothers and sisters, linking arms with the marginalized and acting as allies and advocates in the fight against racism? How is the body of Christ demonstrating its commitment to be anti-racist? Perhaps we can learn something from the example of the Quakers.
Washing Each Other’s Feet- Our duty
I recently read about the Quakers, and their significant work to abolish slavery in the United States. They were active in the mid 1700s for more than twenty years with efforts to see slaves freed. The Quakers influenced politicians to pass strong anti-slavery laws. Some even refused to purchase goods produced by slave labour. In the 1790s, Quakers in Pennsylvania helped thousands of slaves escape from the United States to Canada via the Underground Railroad. They answered the call of their duty because their faith caused them to see enslaved Black men and women as their equals. They didn’t just say that all people were created in the image of God. They actually believed it and were moved to action. As a result of their efforts, some were arrested for helping slaves escape. But they held fast to their faith and were wiling to pay the cost for sharing in the burden of their Black brothers and sisters. The Quakers washed the feet of the enslaved by helping them throw off the shackles of slavery.
Today, even with laws in place that have abolished slavery and segregation in Canada, anti-Black racism is far from eradicated. According to a study by the BlackNorth Initiative and Boston Consulting Group in July 2020, Black Canadians are twice as likely to be unemployed as non-Black, Indigenous, and other Canadians of colour, and university educated Black Canadians earn on average 80 cents for each dollar earned by their white counterparts, despite having the same credentials. Other studies have also found that Black students in Toronto are four times more likely to be expelled from school than white students, and Black residents are 20 times more likely to be shot dead by police in Toronto than white residents. Anti-Black racism abounds in this country in sectors from policing, to health care, to education and employment. What are we, the body of Christ, doing today to stand up to anti-Black systemic racism in our Canadian institutions? How are we washing the feet of our Black brothers and sisters?
During this Black History month, I would ask each of us to reflect on whether we are truly loving others as Jesus has commanded. In what ways are you serving in the fight against racism and advocating for your Black brothers and sisters?
How are you using your privilege to dismantle systems of racism and inequality within your sphere of influence?
Before Jesus went back to be with the Father he prayed for us, that we would be united. We have an example through Christ, to wash each other’s feet and share each other’s burdens. Let’s take up the fight against racism together as ONE body because victory against racial inequality is a victory for us all.
Happy Black History month.
Akua Carmichael is a wife, mother, lawyer, author, teacher and board member of Gather. She is a Senior Associate at Dale & Lessmann LLP, where she practices Estate Law. She holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B) from the University of Windsor and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Detroit Mercy. Akua was called to the Ontario Bar in 2006. She is also the author of My Lifeprint - an estate planning manual and workbook and You Are Priceless, a 31 day women’s devotional journal.