Earlier last night, I reached out to Dr. Noble, a reverend who was a guest preacher at my church just a few Sundays ago. I’ve been having a difficult month, and I know it began roughly after the non-indictment of Darren Wilson. I was deeply shocked, and although I shouldn’t have been surprised as I was, it was painful nevertheless. It affected my capacity to commit to anything and I felt disillusioned with all my work in school, and for a moment, with the community I want to build with. I was hurt, outraged, and frustrated. Ive been having this internal debate on the use of violence. Part of me wants to hold on to the liberal idea of nonviolence, but the progressive, revolutionary side recognizes the necessity for it, especially in a time where peaceful protest isnt enough and the state will still react with violence. It isnt enough to hold on to abstract ideals as a way of approaching social issues, and I see the futility of employing nonviolence to those without a conscious. I wanted to find a way of putting my faith into action in a way that brings about true peace and justice, by any means, because the reality is, there is no alternative. Dr. Noble then said he understood where I was coming from, and that he has been somewhat numb as a result of the injustice and subsequent unrest. Hes dealt with and fought against hatred, prejudice and discrimination for so long that he, too, has grown weary. He dropped these words of wisdom: Revolutions are often violent and messy, and if there were a time to be willing to die for your beliefs, this is such a time. That level of commitment can be scary, but living under tyranny is even scarier. Malcolm X said, and I agree, that we are only nonviolent with those who are nonviolent with us. One cannot reason with someone who has no hear. Im ready to go there if need be. Nonviolence is not wise when your enemy is increasingly violent. Anger is godly if we do the right thing with it. Never lose your edginess, and dont let anyone convince you that its wrong to be angry. I hope in the midst of it all, you experience at least a little bit of joy today. You are loved, Red, and Im glad I know you. Thanks for being you. I had to share this exchange because I know there are a lot of us in our generation that are hurting. Oppression is trauma, and can impact all of us physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. It is our traumas that unite us in the struggle and brings us into a progressive, revolutionary movement. Its about uniting our collective and individual pain and transforming that into power. As a Christian, and I mean if you really read into the text, youd realize activism is putting faith and theory into practice. It is truly Gods work. I think of the beatitudes as a way of guiding my organizing work as an addition to the principles Ive learn being a part of the National Democratic movement of the Philippines and studying MLM. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6) is the verse that speaks to me the most in the work we do. I think of Jesus, defender of the most oppressed and disenfranchised, who was unjustifiably killed in public and I make those connections to those who have lost their lives fighting for a better society. You dont have to be a saint or a martyr to understand the need for this revolution to happen. For those celebrating today, you want to know the true meaning of Christmas? Start by learning and living the example your Christ gave his life up for. I dont mean to speak in a holier-than-thou manner with this, but if these words provide some kind of healing or guidance for you in making sense of the unrighteousness and injustice in this world, then lets build something together.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 20:50:51 +0000
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