This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant
Believe it or not, I actively try not to get political on this site because quite frankly, that isn’t the mission here. All too often however, the realms of politics and theology intersect in ways that I just can’t overlook or ignore. Since the wrongful death of George Floyd, there have been both protests and riots across the United States. In the midst of this I have heard it said that, “60 years later and things are no different”.
Damn people – are you kidding me? Let’s crack a history book once in a while and maintain some perspective. Things are far from perfect and there do exist within the world, bigots of every creed and ethnicity – but to say that nothing has changed is to overlook 60 years of societal transformation for the betterment of all. Quite frankly, it is, in my opinion, to dishonor the memory and sacrifice of those who laid down their lives to bring us to where we are.
We aren’t “there” yet and, the sad truth is that we won’t truly get there until the King Himself returns and sets all things right. This isn’t to say that we should settle for the status quo, but let’s not forget where we came from, lest we overlook the progress that has been made as we move forward.
I could say much on the issue, but I choose to leave the matter of address to someone far more qualified, eloquent and venerated than I. There have been many voices attempting to speak for him today, to ascertain what he might have had to say on current events. While I understand that this is well-intended, I prefer to allow people – even the dead, wherever possible – to speak for themselves…
What follows is, rightfully, the most famous speech ever given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and it is as poignant today as it was then.
Listen.
No, really… listen:
There is a Hebrew word that appears many, many times throughout the scriptures – echad; frequently translated as “one”. Like the word “one”, echad can point to a singular, or it can point to a complex unity. It has been on my mind a great deal these last few weeks.
My bible tells me that God made one race and He called it “human” – echad.
My bible tells me that He made them male and female and that the two would become one flesh – echad.
My bible tells me that the Father and the Son are one – echad.
My bible tells me that the Messiah prayed that we would be one as He and the Father were one – echad.
I want what I believe Dr. King wanted; to be seen as a Citizen of the Kingdom of God first, a man second, and a color last, if at all. I want this for you as well.
I love King’s dream and I believe that as followers of the one who created us, it is incumbent upon us to walk this out – to be one / echad, to be the city on a hill, shining brightly for all to see – not with the light of torches, or the fire of molotov cocktails, but the light of the love of the one who made us.
Brothers and sisters – we are echad, we are one. It is up to us to recognize this and live accordingly. The messengers of hate and division are many, but we are more. We are much, much more. We greater in number and in message. Let us not be silent nor allow the legacy of great men and women to be co-opted or overshadowed by those who seek to sow hatred and discord. Let us stand for the vision of those who bravely stood in the face of a hostile culture and said “No more!”
Lastly, as of the writing of this article, fifteen people have died as a result of violence associated with the riots throughout this nation:
- David Dorn, 77
- Barry Perkins, 29
- David McAtee, 53
- Dorian Murrell, 18
- Italia Kelly, 22
- Marquis M. Tousant, 23
- Calvin L. Horton Jr, 43
- James Scurlock, 22
- Victor Cazares, 27
- Patrick Underwood, 53
- Jorge Gomez, 25
- 4, as of yet unnamed males
Of this I am absolutely certain – that is not what justice looks like.
Until next time,
שלום עליכם – Shalom Aleichem – Peace Be Upon You