Sheila Wise Rowe - Healing Racial Trauma

N early two decades ago, before the topic of race and racial reconciliation became the latest fad for some believers, a small group of Christians in the Boston area gathered to envision what a conversation on race and emotional and spiritual healing could look like. It was a diverse group of pastors and leaders from three different churches representing multiple ethnic groups. The clear thought leaders of this group were my dear friends Sheila Wise Rowe and Nicholas Rowe. As we planned a conference to discuss the questions and issues around this conversation and the necessary spiritual warfare for a fruitful gathering, my admiration for this powerful ministry couple continued to grow. Over two decades of friendship, my respect for their ministry has not waned in the slightest as I have seen their integrity result in deep impact on both a local and global scale.

There was no fanfare, media coverage, or national attention on the conference we planned together. The number of participants would be considered paltry when compared to the conferences now held on this topic among evangelicals. What I remember about that gathering was the resounding spiritual impact it had on my own life. Even after many years of engaging the topic of racial reconciliation through multiple venues and contexts, key moments of that gathering still linger. I most distinctly remember Sheila Wise Rowe standing before the gathering and offering a prayer of healing from the trauma of racial wounds. Her words were endowed with grace and filled with spiritual authority. Sheila applied all of her training as a counselor, her strength as a black woman, and her standing as a spiritual leader to bring healing to the racial trauma so endemic to our society.

The violent trauma inflicted by the diseased and dysfunctional narrative of White supremacy has often gone unaddressed in our discourse on race. We must continue to do the work of historical and social analysis that provides insight into the trauma of racism. The generational impact of Americas original sin and the ongoing suffering inflicted through contemporary expressions such as mass incarceration, family separation at the border, and the rejection of refugees and asylum seekers must be examined. Theological work must also continue as we dig deeper into Scripture to discern Gods words on the subject. But we may need more.

Some of our most profound social illsand what is Making America Awful Againis an inability to deal with the social-psychological trauma of White supremacy. Our social analysis and theological inquiry could use a good dose of pastoral psychology in order for complete healing to occur. This healing is not merely for the victim. In some ways the victimizers have also been traumatized. They have been traumatized into believing that their way is the path to greatness rather than seeking first the kingdom of God.