Humility, Truth & Lament

“Without understanding the truth of racial injustice, both majority-culture and non-White-culture Christians will find themselves mired in dissonant relationships. If we avoid hard truths to preserve personal comfort or to fashion a facade of peace, our division will only widen.

Jesus can make beauty from ashes, but the family of God must first see and acknowledge the ashes.” - Latasha Morrison

This morning started with a “Do I say something?” moment.  I unlocked my phone to check the weather, only to find Facebook left open from last night.  The first post on my screen offered a pictured of George Floyd with the headline declaring: Body Cam Footage Is Out. The Story Is Far More Complicated Than Media Led Us To Believe.  My heart sinks as I notice it’s posted by a white church-going friend. 

Do I say something? 

I click open the article which only confirms the conclusion I had already jumped to.  WHY? Why is it so many Christians are insistent on perpetuating the pattern of villainizing the victim in order to validate another abuse of power? I specify Christian because I am familiar with the values we are called to uphold. 

Do I say something?

You see, this response, the validation of misused power, it is the opposite of humility.  It is the insistence that the power-holders can’t possibly be wrong. And it is this very attitude that skews the truth.

My heart sinks because the truth of the matter is that there is NOTHING that validates kneeling on the neck of a man who is handcuffed and restrained on the ground by 3 other men...for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Nothing.

My heart sinks because as long as he can invalidate the individuals, he never as to acknowledge the bigger pattern of offense.

My heart sinks and I feel betrayed. This is supposed to be my brother who sees me and loves me, but instead...

This attempt at gaslighting creates the dissonance...a lack of harmony. Like one half of the choir singing All By Myself while the other breaks out in a chorus of Celebrate (good times...c’mon). The result is a deafening, confusing cacophony. The insensitivity is heartbreaking. 

“Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.” - Romans 12:15

This insensitivity is the opposite of lament. They are dancing with the flames while we are trying the sweep up the ashes of what those flames destroyed. 

I said something.

He won’t sense my pain if he can focus on my anger. I swallow my hurt, replace it with grace, and the benefit of the doubt. 

I said something

He won’t care about the story if it’s the story of a stranger.  I take a deep breath and expose the hurt of my own experiences.

I said something

He won’t acknowledge truth without power. I bow my head and I share Jesus.

He said nothing