I’m white, southern and Christian.
I am also disappointed in those who claim to love Jesus & refuse to do what Jesus would do. It’s cowardly.
If you have never spoken up for injustice, or you downright agree with the status quo, you are wrong.
I have watched white churchmen stand on the sideline and mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities.-MLK
I realize people don’t like to be told they’re wrong & I don’t like telling people they’re wrong.
Some are silent. Silent because you’ve been silent & you’re embarrassed about your awakening. Do not be embarrassed. Just as you weren’t embarrassed to walk from that alter into your new life as a Christian, you should not be ashamed to stand up for what’s right.
There’s another segment of Christians, who can’t see the forest for the trees. Who refuse to join the plight of equality because they’re so rooted in politics they can’t see. They refuse to look past those politics and LOVE THEIR. NEIGHBOR.
After little sleep & a lengthy talk with Jesus, I am implored this morning to echo the words of MLK.
Please read all of his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”
Even if you’ve read it before, reread it. Then contemplate how utterly sad it is that he could have used most of the same words today.
We have failed in representing Christ. For your own soul, for your relationship with Jesus, I implore Christians, do not stand with the oppressor.
#blacklivesmatter
And now, Excerpts from “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” written by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.
Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.
We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.
But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter, I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for love: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremist we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice?
I supposed I should have realized that few members of the oppressor race can understand the deep groans and passionate yearnings of the oppressed race, and still fewer have the vision to see that injustice must be rooted out by strong, persistent & determined action.
I have been so greatly disappointed with the white church & it’s leadership.
I felt that the white ministers, priests, and rabbis of the South would be among our strongest allies. Instead, some have been outright opponents, refusing to understand the freedom movement & misrepresenting its leaders; all too many others have been more cautious than courageous and have remained silent behind the anesthetizing security of stained glass windows.
I have watched white churchmen stand on the sideline and mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities.
I have wept over the laxity of the church.
Some have been dismissed from their churches, have lost the support of their bishops & fellow ministers. But they have acted in the faith that right defeated is stronger than evil triumphant. Their witness has been the spiritual salt that has preserved the true meaning of the gospel in these troubled times. They have carved a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of disappointment. I hope the church as a whole will meet the challenge of this decisive hour.
But they have used the moral means of non-violence to maintain the immoral end of racial injustice.
Here’s the link to his letter: https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
*old Facebook post. Thought I’d share here.
