“I can’t breathe” : Mary-Anne Elizabeth Plaatjies-Van Huffel and the Belhar Confession as a beacon of light for denouncing racism

Abstract

Racism continues to divide, separate, oppress and hurt—as was seen by recent global events. The church, because of the very nature of the Gospel of Christ, is called to bring unity, reconciliation, justice, healing and peace. The current crisis and threat of racism call for a time of new opportunity and new resurrections, forged from resistances that breathe a new life, of which the Belhar Confession can be a beacon of light. This article focuses on how the theological framework of Mary-Anne Elizabeth Plaatjies-Van Huffel and the Belhar Confession provide a historic opportunity to stand in solidarity with the voices of those who are suffocating (“can’t breathe”). It is an emphatic call for the church to denounce and address all forms of racism and injustice.