Admittedly, I follow Twitter too much (@KirkWalden if you are on the platform). But if there is good in this—or at least a rationalization—it’s that I try to follow disparate points of view. I follow organizations like Heartbeat, Care Net and NIFLA. But I also follow Planned Parenthood and NARAL. Throughout the election process, I followed both pro-Trump and never-Trump voices. It’s important to know what everyone is saying.
The other day, a tweet by musician LeCrae captured my attention. I’m not sure of his social views, but my view is, unless someone proves me wrong, “Assume the best.”
LeCrae’s tweet? “What if the Christians who want to reduce the number of abortions, supported funding for women, dealt with the systemic racism that creates poverty for women of color, and addressed the income gap between white people and people of color.”
What if the Christians who want to reduce the number of abortions, supported funding health care for women, dealt with the systemic racism that creates poverty for women of color, and addressed the income gap between White people and people of color.
— Lecrae (@lecrae) November 1, 2020
Immediately, there were a few knee jerk reactions from the Twitterverse. Some praised him, others lashed out.
One well-known pro-life advocate said, “What if a ‘Christian’ rap artist didn’t sound exactly like #PlannedParenthood in defending the #1 killer of black lives and ignored the reality that #prolife Christians have been fighting for these things for a looooong time? Slavery never would’ve been abolished w/your logic.”
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I’m disappointed in this. How do we win new people to the pro-life community by social media smackdowns and mic drops? Call me crazy, but I’m wondering if we might create a better world if we did the listening thing more than the “I owned that guy” thing. Again, just spitballing, here.
Breaking it Down
As a guy learning to listen, then, I want to break down LeCrae’s brief Twitter thoughts and ask the question: “Can we talk?” Here we go:
LeCrae begins by addressing a specific group. “What if the Christians who want to reduce the number of abortions . . .”
I’m one of those wanting reduced (actually, the ending of) abortion. I believe God wants us all to have a chance, no matter our color or socio-economic background, so LeCrae is speaking to me.
LeCrae is asking me to support funding for women. I’m in! In fact, as someone who has seen, first-hand, more than 600 pregnancy help centers, my wife and I have given thousands of dollars to this work, and I know a bunch of people who believe in funding women. An example? Ashley Bratcher’s Unplanned Movie Scholarship Program for women (of all colors) facing unexpected pregnancies. And there are more if we simply look for them.
LeCrae also wants me to deal “with systemic racism that creates poverty for women of color.” Again, I’m in. Talk to me about systemic racism. I’m not black, so I need to listen. LeCrae, tell me what you want the pregnancy help community to do. We’re already providing practical assistance from clothing and car seats to funding specific needs. But we’re ready to do more. If LeCrae has solutions we haven’t thought of, we’re the most open group in the world to new ideas.
Finally, LeCrae’s tweet asks pro-life Christians to address “the income gap between white people and people of color.” If he and I were to chat, I’d mention the many fatherhood initiatives pregnancy help ministries are providing, leading to two-parent families and closing the income gap. But I’d listen too. Fact is, I don’t have all the answers. LeCrae might provide some incredible solutions.
The Bottom Line
My thought? Every person—whether LeCrae or anyone else—wanting to support women, end the last vestiges of racism and provide help to people of color has a home in the pregnancy help community. This is who we are. As we serve as the hands and feet of Jesus to those of all colors facing unexpected pregnancies, we provide exactly what LeCrae advocates.
But the pregnancy help community will admit, we’re not yet where we want to be. We’re humble enough to listen if someone has a suggestion or idea. And, we ask those offering ideas to roll up their sleeves, join us and go to work.
This is my invitation to LeCrae: Get in touch. Let’s find a private venue (coffee shops are my favorite) without the noise of advocates on one side or the other, and let’s talk.
My guess is that if LeCrae is as open as he presents himself, the pregnancy help community will soon have another servant, and another raving fan of our work. And as he brings solid solutions to the table, we will all be better for it.
Have your people get in touch, LeCrae. Let’s do this.
