The country is in total chaos right now. We are in the middle of a pandemic, which has changed everyone’s lives. We are also aware of injustices that are just now being talked about on a national level. I am not saying it wasn’t there before. I am saying it is now getting more attention. While everything I am going to say may be considered “controversial,” I personally believe that’s the wrong label. I think the label “controversial” needs to be switched to “uncomfortable ” or “needs to be looked at more closely.” Most controversial topics don’t get talked about enough when really, they need the most attention.
I grew up in a super racially diverse place. I had friends of every color, but a majority of my friends were and still are African American. I have always felt so close to the community and culture. With that said it will help you to understand that I am deeply troubled right now. I have been disgusted by the amount of injustice I have seen in my county in the last several months. Things that I cannot even imagine happening and in fact are happening all the time. I have felt the deep pain of the losses we have had in our country.
While I feel so connected to this culture, I will never know what it is like to be an African American in America. It breaks my heart that I cannot truely share in this burden with my family. However, I am committed to be the best ally I can be and to spread awareness about the injustice that so many are experiencing in America RIGHT NOW. With that said the first thing I want to encourage everyone to do is to get educated. I don’t think you can truly start to help or advocate for a change if you don’t know what you are advocating for. I want to give some resources so that anyone who reads this can become more educated after reading this post then when they started. (I really hope you can copy and paste this URL. I will also try to share it on social media.)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRlF2_zhNe86SGgHa6-VlBO-QgirITwCTugSfKie5Fs/mobilebasic
AFTER you are educated: speak up. Live out what you learn. Do not let another day go by without actively reaching for change. This goes out especially to anyone reading this that is a Christian. As Christians we are called to a higher standard. We are called to share in each other’s burdens. We are called to love each other. We are called to consider others above ourselves. For a long time we have not taken into consideration the struggle of many of our sisters and brothers in Christ. Here some verses we can all use to be better ally’s, or just better people.
Galatians 6:2– “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”
Romans 12:10– “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves
Proverbs 31:8-9. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
John13:34 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
1 John 3:17 -But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?
Isaiah 58:6-7 -“Is not this the fast that I choose: to lose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
1 John 4:8 – “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
Isaiah 1:17 -“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
While some may argue that these verses do not directly apply to the topic of racial injustice, I believe the verses couldn’t be more relevant.. Think of the person you love the most in the world. If they were treated the way that so many black men and women are being treated, would you allow it? That is the only way we should be viewing this as Christians. We are all made in the image of God and I refuse to not speak out when God’s children are hurting. This will look different for each individual. Please pray about what you share and be aware. The country is going crazy and the last thing anyone needs to hear is that this isn’t real. Before posting consider how your post could be viewed. Consider if it can be encouraging. Consider if it can help educate. Our country has been a mess for a long time. The last thing anyone needs to do is spread more hate. Do your best to advocate for change. I am holding on to the hope and praying we as a country can unify to make real change happen.