JUNE 16, 2020 BY MICHAEL STONE
Racism for Jesus: Atlanta Megachurch Pastor Louie Giglio is facing criticism after arguing that slavery should be seen as a “white blessing” because it provided “the framework for the world that white people live in and lived in.”
The Ledger-Enquirer reports:
Georgia pastor draws backlash after suggesting slavery was a ‘white blessing’
Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta, was met with criticism this week after citing “the blessing of slavery” for providing the framework for the privileges white Americans enjoy today. Giglio also suggested using the phrase “white blessings” instead of “white privilege.”
Giglio, speaking with Christian rapper Lecrae and Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy, argued that the term ”white privilege” should be replaced with “white blessing,” because, according to Giglio, slavery was a blessing for white people. Giglio said:
We understand the curse that was slavery, white people do, and we say, “That was bad.” But we miss the blessing of slavery, that it actually built up the framework for the world that white people live in and lived in.
And so a lot of people call this “white privilege.” And when you say those two words, it just is like a fuse goes off for a lot of white people, because they don’t want somebody telling them to check their privilege.
And so I know that you and I both have struggled in these days with, “Hey, if the phrase is the trip-up, let’s get over the phrase and let’s get down to the heart. Let’s get down to what, then, do you want to call it?”
And I think, maybe, a great thing for me is to call it “white blessing,” that I’m living in the blessing of the curse…
As one might imagine, Giglio’s suggestion that slavery was a “white blessing” was met with outrage and disbelief. The following is a sample of reactions via Twitter:
After the backlash, Giglio issued a non-apology apology on Twitter, admitting that his “word choice wasn’t great” –
Bottom line: Atlanta Megachurch Pastor Louie Giglio argues that slavery should be seen as a “white blessing” because it provided “the framework for the world that white people live in.”
