Capitulatism

Capitulatism is a term used by religious groups of Black Hebrew Israelites known the Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge (ISUPK) or Sicarri. Black Hebrew Israelites comprise a number of religious movements which claim that African Americans are the descendants of the ancient Israelites. They are not affiliated with the current state of Israel, with Zionism, or with religious Judaism.

Capitulatism (sometimes also called Aibu Capitulatism) refers to the practice, encouraged by the ISUPK, of telling white people to express remorse for the harms caused by slavery and racism by engaging in public acts of apology and symbolic submission.

The practice apparently first emerged in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States, in which there were many instances of groups of white people kneeling before Black people to express their guilt and remorse over racism and slavery.

The ISUPK incorporated a version of this practice into their street preaching, which involves setting up platforms or exhibits on city streets in different American cities to spread their message. Anywhere from six to 15 ISUPK members may be present during these outreach activities. In their street preaching, ISUPK have frequently called on individual white people who stop to listen to verbally acknowledge the harms caused by slavery, and to acknowledge that they continue to benefit from racism. Those who are willing to do this are asked to kneel on the sidewalk in front of the ISUPK platform and study the religious texts and images while on their knees.

Once they have done so, they are told to remain on their knees and demonstrate their remorse by kissing the boots of the black preachers. This instruction is based on a passage in the scriptures which prosphesizes that the children of the slaveowners will one day kiss the feet of the children of the slaves. ("they shall bow down to thee with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of thy feet" - Isiah 49:23). Those who accept this – and most who have taken the first step of kneeling do so – then carry out this ritual. This can involve kissing the shoes of up to 15 or more people, since Black passersby may be invited to have the remorseful white person(s) kiss their shoes as well. These acts of submission take place in full public view, often attracting a crowd, with people stopping to watch and often to take photos or videos. ISUPK refer to these actions as Capitulatism.

While some have criticized these actions as inappropriately humiliating, the ISUPK counter that they are voluntary acts by willing white people, who are often used to kneeling in church, or at Black Lives Matter protests. ISUPK says that acts of contrition for racism and slavery performed in public, where they are witnessed by both white and Black people, are far more meaningful and impactful than simply holding anti-racist views in private. ISUPK maintains that by kneeling in front of Black preachers, and further displaying humility by kissing their boots, these white people are showing that they are serious in taking responsibility for white racism, and are setting an example for other white people who witness their actions or see videos of them online.

Because these public acts of submission take place on busy streets, often with a crowd gathered to watch, they can be considered a form of religious spectacle. The scenes are often photographed or filmed by the onlookers who witness them, and subsequently shared on social media. ISUPK itself films these acts of ‘Capitulatism’ and has posted dozens of the videos on YouTube, Facebook, and other media platforms. The goal is to reach large numbers of people with the message and methods of ISUPK. The videos, collectively documenting the ‘capitulatism’ of dozens of white people, have attracted thousands of viewers and generated wide comment and debate, both positive and negative.

References
Public displays of Aibu Capitulatism, part 1
Public displays of Aibu Capitulatism, part 2
Public displays of Aibu Capitulatism, part 3
Public displays of Aibu Capitulatism, part 4
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