On Friday, a funeral was held for Ma’Khia Bryant, a 16-year-old Black girl who was shot down by a police officer in Columbus, Ohio, moments before former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s conviction for the murder of George Floyd, a death that sparked national sustained resistance and the call to defund police. Sadly, Ma’Khia’s name is now added to the seemingly endless list of Black people who have been murdered by police in this country.
Faith in Public Life’s Ohio Director, Rev. Dan Clark, along with a coalition of Columbus faith leaders, has been actively organizing for police accountability and justice for the past four years. I have walked alongside these leaders and witnessed firsthand the intransigence of Mayor Ginther (a Democrat) and other elected officials. The simple, common-sense change I thought possible has languished (although we have won a few small victories). This week, I was discouraged to hear that some faith leaders seem to be taking their cues from elected officials and lulling the community into complacency.
The Hebrew Prophet Jeremiah warns us of such a moderate approach. It makes me think about the times I have found myself tempted to ally with those in power. I wrestle with this constantly. When do I push harder? When is it time to be diplomatic?
One thing I do know is that the strategy for discernment found in scripture is that of prioritizing the perspective of those who are under the knee of the oppressor, unable to breathe. The prophets view the world through the eyes of those harmed by the powerful. They point the finger at those who build and perpetuate oppressive laws and empires. They speak truth to power and lead us back to God. Today’s prophets are those in the streets who are challenging a brutal policing system that refuses to change.
Consider the prophets Amos, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Amos repeatedly calls out those who prey on and cheat the poor and reveals God’s heart for the people being oppressed. He reveals that we serve a God that rejects the worship of those who exploit others and instead demands justice (Amos 5:21-24). The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah highlight similar issues, echoing the demand for justice for the poor, while also offering a new vision for what a world without oppression would look like (Isa 29:20-21).
So, given the clarity of scripture, what is holding us back from stepping into the prophetic witness and vision happening today?
I have some ideas:
My question for us today is how do we resist the temptation to give in to the cajoling of elected leaders, our fear, or simply inertia so that we can better heed the prophetic call of our time? How do we summon the courage to stand in the prophetic space grappling with the questions of our faith?
One practice I find helpful is a little self-interrogation. I had to do some personal work on myself in order to deconstruct the way I think about police and safety. Someone suggested to me that the question I should be asking is this: What makes a community safe? So I try to imagine what it might’ve looked like for Ma’Khia if the first responders were not so quick to shoot her down like an animal. Would they have done that to me under such circumstances? (I think not). What if they were trained to see a threatening situation in a way that was dignifying and humanizing to all involved at the scene? What if they didn’t have guns? Would they be pressed to lean on their training in de-escalation? And larger still, what if they did not live in a culture that demonized black people?
Another practice for resisting inertia can simply be a daily practice of carving out space to meditate on a new vision and see what surfaces. Lately, I find myself thinking about abolition and the call to defund the police. It takes little time in reading up on this to understand that this call is a prophetic vision of abundance and equity that God desires for each of us. But it will take deep work and endurance to actualize this vision, which is why I also think it’s important for us to plug into our communities, especially those in the struggle for justice, so that we can share stories, celebrate wins, be encouraged, and challenge ourselves to build a collective vision.
Today, I am relishing the victory FPL Ohio saw last week with a new federal injunction prohibiting police from using tear gas and wooden bullets on protestors. I am also excited about the George Floyd Act, which will limit police qualified immunity, and lower criminal intent standards to better convict police who murder and allow for the Department of Justice to investigate police for discriminatory practices.
Finally, sometimes the best practice is jumping into action!
Action:
Prayer:
All loving, righteous, and powerful God.
You have the power to break down barriers.
We ask you to teach us, and
Create in us a new heart, daily,
So that we may see your wisdom
And your abundant vision for us.
Help us to be your hands and feet
Among the marginalized and oppressed.
Amen.
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