Bonhoeffer's Lesson from Harlem [NFTW #41]

What’s good everyone? I hope we’re all doing well. Hope the bank holiday weekend has been good to you so far and you’ll be enjoying today (again). Dietrich Bonhoeffer has been one of the most interesting theologians I’ve come across—particularly for his stance against the Nazi regime. In today’s notes I discuss how the time he spent in Harlem fuelled his theology.

Bonhoeffer’s Lesson from Harlem

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian and pastor who spent a year studying in New York City from 1930-1931, including a period of time in the neighborhood of Harlem. During his time in Harlem, Bonhoeffer was exposed to the African American community and their struggles with racism and discrimination. This experience had a profound impact on him and influenced his views on social justice and the role of the church in promoting racial equality.

The key things that Bonhoeffer learned from his time in Harlem were:

1. The reality of racism: Bonhoeffer was shocked by the extent of racism and segregation that he witnessed in Harlem and the United States. He saw firsthand the ways in which racism had been institutionalized and how it affected the daily lives of African Americans.

2. The importance of community: Bonhoeffer was struck by the strong sense of community and solidarity that he saw in the African American churches and communities. He observed how they supported each other and worked together to resist oppression and discrimination.

3. The need for action: Bonhoeffer came to the realization that the church could not remain silent on issues of social justice and racial equality. He believed that the church had a responsibility to speak out against injustice and work towards creating a more just and equitable society.

4. The value of personal relationships: Bonhoeffer formed close friendships with several African Americans during his time in Harlem, and these relationships helped to shape his views on race and social justice. He recognized the importance of personal relationships in breaking down barriers and promoting understanding and empathy.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's time in Harlem had a significant influence on his response to the Nazi regime and his commitment to resisting its atrocities. In particular, his experience in Harlem helped shape his understanding of the role of the church in promoting social justice and his belief in the need for active resistance against injustice.

One of the key lessons that Bonhoeffer learned from his time in Harlem was the importance of taking action against oppression and discrimination. He saw how the African American community in Harlem was actively resisting racism and working towards building a more just and equitable society, and this inspired him to take a similar approach in response to the Nazi regime in Germany.

Bonhoeffer was deeply troubled by the rise of Nazism and the ways in which it was transforming German society. He believed that the church had a responsibility to resist this evil and to work towards building a society based on justice and equality. He saw this as a fundamental part of his Christian faith and as an expression of his commitment to social justice. Frustrated by the unwillingness of church leaders to oppose Hitler's anti-Semitism, Bonhoeffer created the Confessing Church, alongside Martin Niemoller and Karl Barth.

Bonhoeffer's opposition to the Nazi regime led him to become involved in various resistance activities, including his role in the conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler. He was eventually arrested by the Gestapo and imprisoned, where he continued to write and reflect on the nature of resistance and the role of the church in promoting social justice.

Overall, Bonhoeffer's time in Harlem helped to shape his understanding of the need for active resistance against injustice and his commitment to working towards building a more just and equitable society. It was a key influence on his response to the Nazi regime and his decision to stand up against its atrocities, even at great personal cost. When his association with other Abwehr1 agents was discovered, Bonhoeffer was sentenced to death. He was hanged in April 1945, just one month before Germany surrendered.

Kota the Friend

I first came across @kotathefriend on Twitter in 2019—his video for “For Colored Boys” was a breath of fresh air. I was going through my own healing and learning process so I resonated with his self-awareness and commitment to bettering self—which only comes from looking at who you are in the mirror and deciding that you want better for yourself.

Kota the Friend’s honesty, vulnerability and commitment to being a better man resonates heavy with me. There are some artists you grow with and for me KOTA The Friend has been one of them for me over the past few years. I’m excited to continue seeing the journey ahead for him.

Until next week. Peace.