Attack On The U.S. Capitol, President Trump Impeached Twice, Systemic Racism In America In 2021.
There’s so much happening right now (not to mention thousands of people dying from COVID-19 every day), that it might be easy to try to distance yourself from reality, and stay in a place (mentally), that is more tolerable. Like living in your own little bubble.
But unfortunately, that won’t help bring about the positive changes we need in our country right now, so I would discourage you from giving into those feelings. Hard conversations around systemic racism, and how it shows up in politics, the media, in healthcare, and in American policing, need to be had, if we ever hope to bring about positive change in our society.
I’ve been really thinking about this…
Why does it take death for people to pay attention to the daily horrors that are happening in our world?
Why is it that someone dying is the only thing that seems to get people’s attention?
CONTRADICTIONS
Last year, we saw it with the murder of George Floyd (like wow, his name is now a “household name” now, because of how he died…Smh).
So you’re angry about watching a man be murdered by a police officer, live on camera, while other police officers did nothing, but watch him die.
But you’re NOT angry about the systemic racism and the dehumanizing of black people, which has happened for centuries, which has led to police officers being able to commit these crimes, with impunity.
Then you complain about people protesting against police brutality, towards black people.
Go figure.
MORE CONTRADICTIONS
We also see this contradictory behavior when people talk about being anti-abortion (by the way, you’re not “pro-life” if you only advocate and fight for the lives of the unborn, and not the living.).
So basically, you’re strongly against abortion, but you’re not strongly against an oppressive healthcare structure, and systemically racist healthcare practices, that put black people’s lives at risk every day, as well as those who are living in poverty.
You’re also not strongly against the healthcare disparities, food deserts, and economic injustice, that is present in many black, and urban communities (due to historically, systemic racist practices, like redlining), which is the motivation behind why many people choose to have an abortion in the first place, or the patriarchal society, that allows many men to get away with not taking care of their children, once they’re born.
why do People only get your attention when death is involved?
I don’t get it.
Not to mention, in our current state of affairs, in the middle of a global pandemic, many people are exercising their “pro-choice” freedoms, and refusing to take the vaccine that is being offered. I’m sure you would be strongly opposed to the government trying to regulate what you do with your body, and what you put into it (like vaccines). Why? Because it’s your body, and your right, and your choice. Plus, it’s complicated. You may have health implications that make taking the vaccine a potential danger for you.
Yet, you can’t understand why women want to maintain their right to choose what they do with their bodies, when it comes to giving birth. Why? Because it’s THEIR body, and THEIR right, and THEIR choice. Plus, it’s complicated. They may have health implications that make giving birth a potential danger for them.
See how that works?
Here’s something to think about…
Death is typically the result of multiple things working together to end someone’s life…there’s a cause and an effect, i.e., this particular part of the body was injured, or stopped working properly, which led to x, which then led to y, and the final result was Z: death.
So it is with what happened at the Capitol last Wednesday.
Those people didn’t just wake up one day, and make the decision to do the deplorable acts that they did at the Capitol, that led to people dying (that got your attention, didn’t it?), and also the second impeachment of President Trump.
No, it’s the result of years and years of them actively participating in systemically racist structures, ideals, and practices, and being fed lies about white supremacy, conspiracy theories, and white domination, from their parents, grandparents, teachers, mentors, politicians, and family friends.
It also stemmed greatly from their “leaders”, whether at church, at their job, school, fraternity, or in the White House, convincing them that they’ve been wronged, and that enabling and encouraging white violence and rage, is the only feasible solution to the “problem”.
America, it’s time to do better.
Christians in America, it’s time to face your greatest threat, head on, so that we can finally start making some progress, that actually honors God in this country, and that draws people to Christ, not forces them away.
Your greatest threat is: YOU!
Reflection Questions:
Do people see/experience the fruits of the Spirit when they interact with you, or read your posts on social media?
Are you standing up for, and fighting for the oppressed, the disenfranchised, the marginalized, the poor, the widows, and the children?
Are you fighting for justice, for equity and equality for ALL humans, and leading with love, grace, mercy, empathy, compassion, and understanding, of people who look differently than you do, and who have different life experiences, and beliefs than you do?
“I deeply believe Christ calls us to unity and I want it. But calls to unity, without serious regard for what broke us to pieces, is like pouring fresh concrete over a collapsed bridge.” ~ Beth Moore, Author of “Chasing Vines”
My prayer every day is this:
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” ~ Psalm 19:14
That’s a great place to start.
