So what do I do, now?
George Zimmerman has been acquitted.
A man who, unprovoked, followed a young black man in a
hoodie… just followed him because he didn't feel that he “belonged”.
A man who ignored the police direction to stay in his car.
A man who referred to this young man, Trayvon Martin, as “they”…(
A man who used a gun to shoot and kill a young man who was armed
with no more than a bag of Skittles.
A man who’s description of events seemed to change with
successive interviews.
A man who I feel strongly should have been convicted of
murder, or at the very least manslaughter.
He’s gone home to his family. (They always get away)
What am I supposed to do with that?
How do I respond to the rotting sickness that I feel deep inside?
How do I channel that anger that boils up?
How do I channel that anger that boils up?
How do I handle the tears that just want to flow and flow from my eyes?
Is it possible that the jury heard and saw things that I don’t
appreciate and that I would have come up with the same verdict had I been part
of the trial? Yes, I suppose that it is.
Is it possible that the jury’s verdict was just another
example of pervasive systemic racism in Florida? Yes,
I suppose that it is.
Is it possible that this systemic racism isn't limited to the state of Florida or even the U.S.?
Yes, I damn well know that it is...
So, what do I do with this anger that I feel?
How do I express my deep, deep, bitter grief over the loss
of a young life and this corrosion, erosion, and implosion of humanity?
I pray.
I pray to God for Trayvon and his family.
I pray to God for every young black man who goes for a walk
outside of his neighbourhood.
I pray to God in shame and remorse for what we have done
with God’s glorious creation: Humanity - our small mindedness, our tribalism and our trading our ability to love for on a promise to keep "them" out of our neighbourhoods.
And then, I make damn sure that I never refer to anyone as "They" or “Them”.
Not Young Black Men
Not Hispanic Women.
Not Asians.
Not Old People.
Not Kids.
Not Muslims.
Not Jews.
Not Buddhists.
No Atheists.
Not Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Transgendered, Transsexual, Queer
or Two-Spirited people.
Not Teachers.
Not Workers.
Not Liberals.
Not Conservatives.
Not Dreamers.
Not Idiots.
Not Drug Addicts.
Not Victims.
Not Cops.
Not Criminals.
Not Feminists.
Not Progressives.
Not People with Aids.
Not People Who's ideas piss me off.
Not ... Not... Not....
No more “THEM”…. I
need to talk about “US”. I need my words
and my actions to reflect an attitude and inspire a world where we are, together, brothers and sisters… a time and place where we are one… when this "Kingdom of God" that Jesus talks about really is at hand... where we take seriously, Jesus' example of reaching out and connecting with the margins, the untouchables, the "NOT the Sames".... where my first reaction to seeing a stranger
in my neighbourhood is to offer him shelter in the rain, the help that needs, and a safe way to his
destination...
because that’s how “Us” people treat one another.
I know that it won't be easy... I've got a few people that I like to keep out... that's why I need to pray, because I can't do it alone. But I will pray... I will try.
God, forgive us… and help us change.
