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Breonna Taylor-The Tip of the Iceberg
Breonna Taylor- her name keeps playing over and over in my head. Yes, there have been many names to say throughout the last couple of years. But something about this name, a young black woman much like myself, only a stone’s throw away from my hometown, hits differently. Shot and killed by a police officer in her home, #JusticeforBreonna has made international news. Even though one officer involved in the shooting has been indicted, the ripple effect of a collective groan of exhaustion continues. I am not here to argue the facts and figures of this case, I am simply here to lament, as a sister in Christ and I…
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A Time to Lament
I look around and see rancor, ignorance, division, tribalism, nationalism, dishonesty, and sin in the midst of many crises—racial injustice and a pandemic that has sidelined the sick and resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and economic loss leaving millions unemployed. Hurricane season is on top of us, and apparently the forecast suggests a busy year. And last year’s issues haven’t gone away—#metoo, #churchtoo, the future for Dreamers (DACA) and the treatment of asylum seekers at the southern border. I believe that God wants our attention. You may be like me—troubled by groups of hurting people, appalled by the lack of moral leadership in government and even the church,…
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The Need for Reconciliation
The senseless killings and violence in our nation confirm the uncertain, chaotic time we are living in. Our minds are flooded with questions: What am I to do? How am I to think? Who do I look to for direction; how do I interpret the violence and the injustice? What is the root? From the images and specific messages of the last few days we have a window into the chaos. We are invited to listen, to pay attention, to be informed and open. In the midst of our confusion, disruption, disillusion, fear, anger, grief and sadness can we stop, as Christians, and take some deep breaths. Focus back on…
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Where is our Hope?
Injustice. Anger. Murder. Mourning. (Repeat.) It seems the newsfeeds do not change—same story, just different day and different city. Additional protests lead to counter protests: #BlackLivesMatter, #WhiteLivesMatter, #AllLivesMatter. Confusion and anger fuels more anger. I read and watch social media posts and videos from various viewpoints. It disappoints me that many posts are full of blame, anger, should-haves, and could-haves. And so the cycle continues… Injustice. Anger. Murder. Mourning. (Repeat) Blame and anger are normal stages in the grief process. But it seems many people stay in those stages and never move forward. Why? They want justice. They want vengeance. Many simply want change, change for the better. And so…
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The Beauty of God’s Diverse Children
Breathing the crisp morning air on any weekday in 1976 meant I was on my way to school. From our apartment, I could hear the screeching sound of brakes making their way to our stop. On the corner of Harry Hines and Wolf St., the bus picked up students who lived in Little Mexico Village to take them to the nearby schools. In the beginning, I tried to sit only with my brothers and sisters. The first time I rode the bus, I felt afraid and kept to myself. That’s what happens when you face all kinds of different. Fear almost always welcomes you, but soon curiosity gets a…
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“Be the Bridge” to Racial Unity
Never was this more blatantly evident than the bold statement made by the believers at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Even Southern Living magazine, August 2015 issue picked it up … “the horrific shooting that took the lives of nine churchgoers threatened to rip the city of Charleston, South Carolina, apart … but by responding with public displays of compassion, love and unity, Charleston has shown us how to move forward. Instead of riots, there were church services and vigils all over town.” They modeled for the world – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each…
