Im gonna say this and be done (maybe). I say this because I feel it needs to be said. If any of my non black friends or acquaintances feel alienated because of the black lives matter movement I am sorry that you feel this way. The intent has never been to alienate. Those who know me personally know that I am a big fan of culture in general. However, what many need to realize is that if, when that phrase is used, you immediately retreat to how YOU feel and ignore everything else, including the events that are the catalysts for the movement, thats part of the problem. The truth of that statement SHOULD bring people together for a common cause. Martin Luther King spoke what was right because it was truth that needed to be spoken. He didnt censor it and back down for unitys sake. There were many who stood with him that were white as well, to their own detriment. Truth always costs someone something. The truth cost MLK his life and its a dream that we ALL should still be fighting for. I understand many are uncomfortable, because the truth about race relations, both in and outside the church, makes people uncomfortable. But what I cannot do as a black man is pretend that black lives actually do matter the same as other lives in this country. Cognitive dissonance asside, the evidence and statistics overwhelmingly support the opposite. Again, those who know me personally, know my meticulous nature when it comes to research and knowledge in general. It is not my way to speak frivilously or callously about much of anything. I speak out when I feel compelled or led to do so. But what about the unity found in Christ?, some may ask. Arent you a Christian? To that I respond, yes I am, but that is exactly why I am saying this and that is quite probably why those people stood with MLK with great risk to themselves and their way of life. Christ himself was an advocate for the marginalized. He purposely went out of His way to make sure the lowest of society at the time knew they had intrinsic worth. So, I would suggest that if we truly want unity played out practically, and not just verbally in a clichéd manner, then we should do what Christ did and humble ourselves, follow the examples of our past brothers and sisters of all colors, and stand for truth regardless of the risk. Do all lives matter? Of course. But does the statement black lives matter preclude the former statement? No. We shouldnt have to verbalize what should be readily apparent, but the fact that thousands know we have to say it, should give us ALL pause. If some dont understand, I get it. I dont hold that against anyone. But my prayer is that we dispel this myth that it makes us more unified when we are silent or try to brush specific injustice under the catch all rug of were all one in Christ. Though that is true in its proper context, we must realize that what makes us one beyond the unifying Spirit of Christ, is actually acting on behalf of the truth, even when there is risk involved. Thats what the body of Christ should do. Talking about racial reconciliation and bringing it about can be very different. Those who take the time to read this, I pray you hear it in the spirit in which it is intended. #RacialReconcilliationIsMoreThanTalkingItsDoing
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 07:16:01 +0000
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