Once again, we are faced with the situation of an unarmed African American person being shot and killed by armed "law enforcement" personnel. Recently, there was a choking of an African American man by police in Staten Island, New York. Now are faced with another situation in Ferguson, Missouri. An unarmed person is killed, and then there are reports of his being a suspect or involved in an armed robbery.
Now let me make it very clear that I do not condone or approve of armed robbery, murder, or any other crimes against persons being committed by an African American, a Hispanic, or a person of any color or race. On the other hand, when there appears to be an emerging pattern of people of "color" being profiled, arrested, or shot, then I think it is time to ask questions.
The questions for us as a community of faith would be:
1. If Jesus were living in 2014 in the USA instead of in Palestine, how we He react to racial profiling?
2. How would Jesus react to African Americans, Hispanics, and other non-Caucasian people being shot and killed at random and when they are unarmed?
3. What would Jesus say about the fact that the vast majority of people who are incarcerated in this country are non-Caucasian?
4. How should we, as people who claim to be followers of Jesus respond to these realities?
Please share with us your perspectives on these issues.
Grace and peace,
Dr. Juan A. Ayala-Carmona
How is it that we can "afford" to equip police departments with tanks and other military equipment and stage great shows of repressive force when restraint would be wiser and more effective -- but when it comes to education, housing, nutrition, and other social programs, "there's not enough money." The children cry out, and we give them rocks, not bread.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue for your input. You raise very important, insightful, and valuable questions. Unfortunately, not too many people are prepared to commit to tackling these issues. Yes, indeed, there is a great disparity between funding police departments with military equipment, on the one hand, and meeting the vast social needs of people on the other. Thank you for your insightful contribution.
ReplyDeleteJesus as a Jew knew what it was to be oppressed, controlled, threatened by the powers of Rome. His heart and presence are with the family of Michael Brown and those peacefully protesting his killing. I believe Jesus is calling his followers to help change the current system of racial inequity in our society. Young black men shouldn't be profiled by police and in fear for their lives when they have done nothing wrong. The way power is being used speaks to a deeper divide in our country, obviously. To begin to heal this we need to foster individual relationships and better understanding between people. I can't help but think about the fact that Sunday morning worship is still the most segregated hour in America. The Christian community would be a much stronger witness in the world if we embodied strong and authentic inter-racial relationships. As a pastor I am guilty of not doing more to promote this.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Diane: Thank you so much for your input. As always, it is very insightful and valuable. Your response is a very important contribution to knowledge and to how we as Church can and should carry out the ministry of Christ in the world. As the situation in Ferguson gets more intense, I can't help but wonder, how can we as a Christian community be the presence of Christ in the world. Jesus was definitely a healing and reconciling agent in His time. But He also followed the prophetic role of denouncing injustice. The challenge for us in the world today, how can we be agents of reconciliation and at the same time be prophetic in not only denouncing, but also fighting against injustice? Thank you so much for your input.
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