Theologian Paul Tillich wrote of a Kairos moment, a moment in history which is decisive, and calls for the believer to recognize the signs of the times, and hear the voice of the Spirit, and respond prophetically. The events in Ferguson Missouri should be for us a warning that we live in such a Kairos moment. An unarmed teenage African-American boy gunned down in the streets, with his hands in the air. The oppressive response by the Ferguson police force engaging protesting crowds with riot gear, armor, and tanks. IT is not shrill to suggest that the militarization of police forces is a sign of a nascent fascism. The question is, how will the people of God respond? Will preachers stick to the lectionary and ignore or only mention the events of Ferguson in passing from the pulpit? Or will they listen to see what the Spirit is saying to the churches in the current crisis. Yes, there is a crisis in this country. There is still systematic racism in this country. Michael Brown is only the latest in a string of tragic killings of young African-American men. The death of Trayvon Martin, and subsequent acquittal of George Zimmerman opened a wound that has been festering for a very long time. Why should African-Americans feel that there is justice, when not only are young black men gunned down, but are also incarcerated at a rate much greater than whites, and the unemployment rate is much higher (in some states, nearly twice) for African-Americans than whites? Recently, Supreme Court Justice Roberts expressed in his opinion gutting the civil rights act that it is not needed anymore. And right after that decision, several red states moved to restrict voting rights. Comedian Bill Maher said Denying that there is racism is the new racism. We are racist when we do not realize our privilege as part of the dominant culture, I am speaking of white people here. No, I cannot imagine what is to be a black person. I hope that I am aware enough to recognize injustice, prejudice, and racism when I see it,and when it is in me, and not to think that we are on a post-racial society simply because an African-American occupies the highest office in the land. If anything, his presence the last six years in the White House has exposed some very ugly racist attitudes. I cannot speak for my African-American brothers and sisters, I do not share their experience. But I seek to be in solidarity with them in their struggle for justice and dignity. I seek to listen to them and understand as much as I am able their context. Ultimately, our destinies are bound together in this land. When the police are coming out in military gear to subdue a protest, this should be alarming for all of us, not just African-Americans. These are not actions of a democratic government. As long as law enforcement is willing to use a heavy hand to suppress protest, we are in danger of losing our democracy. We cannot realize the full promise of a democratic society as long as systematic racism exists. We cannot become the Beloved Community that Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of as long as African-American families have to wonder if their sons are going to come home when they leave the house. The church of Jesus Christ has a responsibility to speak prophetically in a kairos moment such as this. One of the tasks of a priests is to pray for the people. Any priest worth her or his salt must be attentive to the signs of the times and the voice of the Spirit. To ignore injustice is to be complicit with it. anglicanchurch.blogspot/2014/08/the-events-of-ferguson-missouri-kairos.html
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 23:57:35 +0000
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