Toward Making One Coat of Many Colors

Chaplain Kate [Moyer]'s asking me to be part of the recognition of Black History Month was a bit like planting a seed in the ground. One of the first impressions that presented itself in regard to talking about Black History Month, from the theological perspective, was the story of Joseph and his being sold and transported into captivity.

How similar that incident was to not only the founding of these United States of America and the Blacks who were part of the colonization as free folk as well as the Black slave trade of the 16- and 1700s. I saw the parallelisms between the creation of a new and richer way of life through the use of the multitude of tapestries in talents and races. I saw the story of being blessed by using, respecting, and remembering all of the members of our family.

Most importantly about that story is the matter of Joseph's coat of many colors. A coat of that type required more than the usual effort to create. A coat of that sort indicated favoritism and the wearer's having a royal status.

One of the theological analysts explains the symbolism of the coat of many colors as a promise. The explanation says:

The coat was a token of [Jacob's] great love and recognition. In part, Joseph was to be very instrumental in fulfilling the covenant between God and Abraham, Joseph's great-grandfather. This covenant was that Abraham's seed would bring about many nations, kings and rulers would be among them. . . .

The coat of many colors became a symbol of the favoritism between this father and son. Perhaps it also symbolized the prophecy given in Joseph's dream that he would someday be in a position of royalty, ruling over his family and others. This gift . . . was the first step of destined events that took Joseph from being sold into slavery to gaining favor from Egypt's Pharaoh and eventually saving a nation. God had indeed allowed Joseph to not only survive many trials, but to prosper and fulfill His design.

Like Joseph's coat, the slave trade encompassed peoples from several of the western African continent. That meant their faces, traditions, beliefs, as well as colors, were diverse. They were many shades ranging from tans to blacks. But they were all pushed together, in spite of their tribal identity, to create one new identity in a new place. With those many shades of color and their diverse backgrounds came the many inherent talents each individual had. Like those diverse colors of Joseph's robe, these new individuals were added to their pre-existing cousins in the Colony. All, white, black, red, brown, as well as the mixtures that were emanating, were making America the new Promised Land.

What we endeavor to consider today is how the two stories, that of Joseph and that of the growth of the American Black race, parallel one another. What we endeavor to consider today is how and why we should celebrate having the contributions of the Black race. Furthermore, we want to take a better look at the coat of many colors that has become the fabric of being American.

One of the significant things we see in the story of Joseph is how complex it is. He suffered from jealousy because of his divine and mortal gifts. This was a talented young man who had abundance to offer to anyone who wanted to avail themselves of the bounty. He was a reputable man but suffered smear and punishment in regard to his character.

Those in this country who are Black have not shared the favorable treatment from our fellows as Joseph enjoyed as he lived among the Egyptians. Instead, most Black Americans have lived in similar disregard from their fellows as the youngest brother, Joseph did.

Did Joseph suffer because of his brothers' attitudes and treatment. I'd dare say that he did suffer in regard to his being sold into slavery. By the very nature of Black slavery in America, the race has suffered.

Only in recent history have Black accomplishments been recognized or even lauded. A mere scattering of exemplaries are held up for recognition without regard to how much time has past since their accomplishments and without regard to any others' making similar or greater strides.

Thus, it's imperative that we look to those who are not only the staples of Black accomplishment and history but also the newer names. Taking cognizance of their contributions to the rich tapestry of being American is mandatory so that their names will not be forgotten. But more than that, the what of their contributions needs to be recognized so that there is a deeper appreciation for the fact that no matter what the color, there is quality being added to our existence that contributes to making us a better people.

The lessons we should be learning during this month are that there have been major struggles endured by the Black race. We are so rich for their labors. We have looked at scholars, women, people of the sciences. There are too many for just a few times, once a week, over a period of four weeks.

There are still others who had significant impact on the landscape who have not even been mentioned. Whenever we think of sports or entertainment, the first names that come to mind are Lena Horne and Mohammed Ali. We forget about the non-White soldiers who demanded to be put on the front lines in order to defend their homeland from those who would take away our freedoms. And then they returned from the war zones only to find that they still had not won personal freedom.

Last night Station KOCE remembered prize fighter Jack Johnson. What a pivotal figure he was in many of the lessons we've learned this month. Do we now have an appreciation of the term "Jim Crow" or miscegenation?

Should we only remember just the standard references to the front runners or should we acknowledge the ones who follow in their own quiet way, year after year. We should remember both because both groups deserve recognition. They serve as a reminder of where we were and where we are at this point in time. And we're still making progress.

We've learned of the "one drop rule" that meant any person with as little as 1/32 of Black heritage was considered to be Black. Have any of you ever wondered why we refer to such figures as Colin Powell, Tiger Woods, Halle Berry (all multi- or bi-racial people) as Black? Until this month, I did. Apparently, then, nearly all of us in this room are actually Black.

My cousins! I'm so glad we can be here together today for this family reunion of mind and spirit!

We've learned how it took Herculean efforts to make small steps of success for the Black. Repeated rejection for no legitimate reason except the color of one's skin has been the legacy. This has been true not just for Black folk. Consider the strivings of women to gain equal employment and voting rights. Let us think about how the disabled and those over 50 have been cast aside as useless until the legislative support of Affirmative Action due to the Civil Rights Movement has endeavored to open doors for those who were shut out.

In a time of want, we have gained in numerous ways in numerous industries and disciplines. If we trace the history of the blessings that have empowered all of us without regard to color, age, or gender, we come away realizing it was because of those brave Black souls who endured those first assaults and hardships that wore down the walls of resistance and opened the doors for the multitudes.

It's very important that we remember the contributions Blacks have and continue to make to this fabric of being American. As pointed out by Margaret Hodge, British Minister of Culture,

2. How do we really make sure that the contribution the historic environment makes to our sense of identity and belonging is fully understood by strategists and decision makers at all levels?

3. How do we continue to widen our audiences and deepen the enjoyment and understanding of those just beginning to explore our shared heritage?

She goes on to say,

The values of place are intrinsic to culture and identity. . . . Very often it's the heritage associated with a place that helps make the location to be a place where people want to live and work."

More deeply, the sense of place is intimately bound up with wider cultural experiences. Go in peace and joy to celebrate your part of being part of the fabric of our cultural and racial coat of many colors.