LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Leaders at Southland Christian Church are apologizing after receiving mixed criticism for a video they released earlier last week.
"There was a lot of anger and confusion and sadness and real hurt and pain, and we missed an opportunity to speak into that," said Jon Weece, Lead Follower/Elder at the church. "We just missed an opportunity to extend compassion and empathy, and for that we're sorry."
Watch their full response below (starts at 34:35):
The video has since been removed, but in summary, it was about racism that many thought marginalized black people. They spoke about helping poor African Americans, fatherless black children, etc.
The church issued an apology on Friday after removing the video:
Their own members of color were disappointed by what they called the "tone-deaf" message of it.
Local activist, Devine Carama, responded to the video on Sunday via social media:
"A predominately white local church recently put up a insensitive video, in which they've since apologized and retracted the video. For that, they will remain nameless. But I still got some ish to get off my chest! Check out my latest blog (If there are typos, you don't have to tell me. lol My wife will let me know)!!
"Again, we don't need them to be our white Savior, because we already have a brown one in Jesus! What we need are well informed allies ready to support people of color, check unconscious biases at the door, hold friends & family accountable and join us in the fight to target the root causes of systemic oppression in this country!
"To me, this video exposed the rush job we’ve engaged in, in this country, in trying to hurry up and move beyond the issue of race without first allowing healing to take place, uncomfortable conversations to be had, and REAL learning to be done. And because of that, black folk are tired."
