Chicago pastor, Black clergy protect the “Blacksonian” – St. Louis American

St. Louis American
Stay Informed, Stay Empowered in STL
Subscribe to The St. Louis American‘s free weekly newsletter for critical stories, community voices, and insights that matter.
President Donald Trump’s crusade against diversity has attacked nearly everything touching on race, from freezing federal investigations of civil rights violations to scrubbing Harriet Tubman from a website on the Underground Railroad.
But when he came for the Smithsonian Museum’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. — a.k.a. The Blacksonian — Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago refused to sit idle.
On March 27, Trump signed an executive order, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” declaring NMAAHC — one of the most popular attractions in Washington, with some 3 million visitors a year — and a few others as institutions that divide America.
The order states that the museums undermine the nation’s “remarkable” history by casting it “in a negative light,” and directs Vice President JD Vance to clear the museum of its liberal “ideology.”
Thank you for supporting local Black journalism!

Ten days before the order, Kevin Young, the NMAAHC’s director, went on indefinite personal leave. The cascade of bad news left historians on edge and Black Americans concerned that the groundbreaking museum would survive Trump 2.0.
Enter Rev. Moss — and the Trinity congregation.
Last Sunday, Moss came to the rescue of NMAAHC by announcing that Trinity “is placing the museum in our annual budget.” He then asked parishioners to join him by donating $25 to the museum, the price of a basic membership, to show their faith.
It’s good news, given that the National Museum of African American History and Culture is not a federal institution and is principally funded by donations. Only a small portion of its financial support comes from the federal government.
Moss also pointed out that Vance, the vice president, is merely one of 17 members of the NMAAHC’s governing board. As such, Moss said, Vance has no legal authority to make unilateral decisions concerning the museum.
To seal the funding deal, Moss officially opened the floor for a motion. More than one member placed his proposal into a motion. When called for a vote, the contingent of ayes had their say.
It’s unclear exactly how much money Trinity collected, or how much the church will donate to the museum. But no matter how that happens, the reverend said, approving a plan to save NMAAHC is a point of pride.
“When people ask why you contributed to the museum,” he said, “just tell them, ‘I go to a church that is unashamedly black and unapologetically Christian.’”
The NMAAHC is also home to the Center for the Study of African American Religious Life.
According to its website, “Through innovative scholarship, public programs, and collecting religious artifacts, the Center for the Study of African American Religious Life expands the ways religion is acknowledged and explored by our nation’s research and cultural institutions.”
Messages of hope on Easter
Bishop Vashite McKenzie, president of the National Council of Churches, says prayer is key to combating current political challenges.
“At this critical time, this country we face divisions, and suffering and challenges that threaten to weaken the intertwining of justice with compassion, so we must pray,” she told Hamil R. Harris of the Washington Informer.
“When we face the threats of our economic stability we must pray. When we face deep political polarization which fuels divisiveness and distrust and devastating social tension we must pray.”
McKenzie, who will not only be preaching at Howard University Easter Sunday, but she has been leading a 24-hour prayer service during Holy Week.
“At the National Council of Churches, we held 24 hours of prayer,” McKenzie said.
“We began at 6 a.m. (the morning of April 14) and concluded Tuesday because of Holy Week.”
She shared the lessons offered during Holy Week, and said Christians today should take inspiration from Jesus and the disciples when navigating hard times.
“The march from Jerusalem to Golgotha Hill reminds us of the need for prayer in the middle of turmoil,” she said.
“The disciples were feeling the weight of the future and Jesus was already feeling the weight of the cross and yet in the midst of this Jesus turned to prayer and so must we.”
The Rev. Thomas Bowen, minister of social justice at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington D.C., said it is important for faith leaders and communities to offer a place of peace and hope during this politically, socially and financially trying time.
“The Black Church must be a prophetic voice and a practical refuge,” said Bowen.
“We cannot afford to be silent while the very systems that helped our families rise into the middle class are being dismantled. We must advocate, organize, and equip our people—spiritually, emotionally, and civically—to resist policies that undermine their dignity and their future.”
This story originally appeared here.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Δ
2315 Pine Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
Phone: (314) 533-8000
Email: editor@stlamerican.com

Enter the code sent to your email.
Email address

Enter your password
Sign in by entering the code we sent to , or clicking the magic link in the email.
https://www.stlamerican.com/. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.