For those of you who don't know what has happened recently with the killing of Trayvon Martin, I would strongly suggest you look into it. This killing, because someone on neighborhood watch thought a black kid with a hood up looked suspicious, has gone unpunished. I understand the need to be able to act if you feel threatened, but in this situation and what I've read about it, I'm pretty sure that this young man was not threatening anyway in a way which warranted being shot.
This has brought up incredible response from people sick of being profiled because of their skin color and stereotypes. Though this had to start through the death of a 17 year old, people are speaking out and saying very important things.
It is NOT JUST STUDENTS who are speaking out. Please read this article and watch the video. It makes me mad that more people have not seen it. Democratic Representative Bobby Rush was kicked off the floor in a morning session because he broke the dress code. What makes me SO upset is that the speaker of the house did not care to listen to the importance of what Rush was saying, instead he asked a clerk to escort Rush off the floor because hoodies were not allowed in the dress code.
What was he trying to say? This:
If we were to shoot everyone who looked suspicious, what would happen? Mass panic and a lot of dead people. I think Rep. Rush took matters into his own hands and yes, had to use some theatrics to get his point out, but made a VERY necessary one. And what happens? Instead of listening to the depth and importance of what he is saying, various people from the security forces or who have commented on this action to various newspapers highlight his past as a black panther. They do not highlight that in 1999, Rep. Rush's son was killed in the streets. He is not immune to the racism that still exists in the United States. For instance, in class yesterday, a professor mentioned statistics from five years ago saying that in a nation where African Americans make up 14% of the population, they represent 74% of the people in jail for drug related crimes. When African American boys see their relatives in prison or dead by the time they are 19, how is that even giving them the desire to succeed when they only see failure? Let's change our education systems. Maybe that means middle class and wealthy neighborhoods giving a little bit in order for others to have more opportunities. Lets create interaction and conversation between people of different races, backgrounds and culture on an equal playing field where real change will happen.
This has brought up incredible response from people sick of being profiled because of their skin color and stereotypes. Though this had to start through the death of a 17 year old, people are speaking out and saying very important things.
It is NOT JUST STUDENTS who are speaking out. Please read this article and watch the video. It makes me mad that more people have not seen it. Democratic Representative Bobby Rush was kicked off the floor in a morning session because he broke the dress code. What makes me SO upset is that the speaker of the house did not care to listen to the importance of what Rush was saying, instead he asked a clerk to escort Rush off the floor because hoodies were not allowed in the dress code.
What was he trying to say? This:
"Just because someone wears a hoodie does not make them a hoodlum. The Bible teaches us, Mr. Speaker, to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” [emphasis added] A quote from the book of Micah 6:8 in the BIBLE. Remember, Jesus tells us to accept everyone, right? In the book of John, he explicitely shows through the healing of the centurion's son and his conversation with the Samaritan woman (something unthinkable during that time period - talking to a woman and especially a Samaritan on top of that) that he comes to save everyone. He even says this through both discourses about hte Good Shepherd and Bread of Life : "For my Father's will is that everyone who loks to the Son and believes him shall have eternal life" John 6:40
If we were to shoot everyone who looked suspicious, what would happen? Mass panic and a lot of dead people. I think Rep. Rush took matters into his own hands and yes, had to use some theatrics to get his point out, but made a VERY necessary one. And what happens? Instead of listening to the depth and importance of what he is saying, various people from the security forces or who have commented on this action to various newspapers highlight his past as a black panther. They do not highlight that in 1999, Rep. Rush's son was killed in the streets. He is not immune to the racism that still exists in the United States. For instance, in class yesterday, a professor mentioned statistics from five years ago saying that in a nation where African Americans make up 14% of the population, they represent 74% of the people in jail for drug related crimes. When African American boys see their relatives in prison or dead by the time they are 19, how is that even giving them the desire to succeed when they only see failure? Let's change our education systems. Maybe that means middle class and wealthy neighborhoods giving a little bit in order for others to have more opportunities. Lets create interaction and conversation between people of different races, backgrounds and culture on an equal playing field where real change will happen.
When American politics have come down to 'what is best for my part' versus 'what is best for my country and the people', there is something lost. How can I want to even participate in voting when all I see going on is name calling? I, and a lot of other voters, would like to see some decency in American politics. I will be placing my vote by what I see of the character of presidential candidates and the people they surround themselves with. I am tired of knowing that so many people I know or am related to vote because of party and based on how 'Christian' a candidate seems. God can work through anyone to fulfill his desires. I have seen plenty of presidents make declarations that have led to wars that have taken thousands of civilian and military lives who claim to be Christians. I have the feeling that I will not be voting based on Christian-ness this November, because to me, it is only even talked about in order to gain the votes from certain people groups. Christianity in the United States is so often complacent, something of habit that has been instilled by the historical culture of our people. Why is it so against the normal to shed this apathy and try and create change. Isn't that we are called to do? We can make change; radical change. You can lobby with your senators and your congressmen/women, we can be a voice waiting to be heard. You can go to the neighborhood a few blocks away, maybe go into the nearest city and build some relationships. If you are a white Christian, maybe go to an African American church for a few Sundays, or a Korean church. Get to know people who are different from you. Experience a type of worship that you might be uncomfortable with. Stop trashing other people, and start reviewing your life and the way you look at the world. If you are going to call yourself a Christian, at least let it mean something, not simply be lost in the hypocrisy of American cultural Christianity.
note - I say many of these things to myself as well as the general readership. Trying to make a change can seem overwhelming, but if you don't start somewhere, nothing will change and people's lives will never be affected. Better to change one life, and your own, than do nothing.
