Greetings Holy, Healthy and Happy People of God!
As I write this e-Note to our faithful, fearless and devoted community of radical and responsible followers of Jesus Christ, I pray that you, along with many others, have been outraged and disturbed by the insidious and unnecessary murder of Ahmaud Arbery. This news emerged during Mother’s Day weekend.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, on February 23, 2020, Ahmaud, 25 year-old African American, was either jogging or running alongside a road in Satilla Shores, a community in unincorporated Glynn County near Brunswick, Georgia. Two armed men, Gregory McMichael and his son, Travis McMichael confronted him, which ended with Ahmaud being shot dead. Why was this particular news story suppressed and no arrest made until after two months?
We can’t put aside this type of racial terror and the victimization of another person of color. No longer can Christians sit back and pretend this doesn’t happen while another young black life is taken with no sense of justice. As Christians, we must demand justice once and for all! Jesus calls to earth to redeem us from our sinful acts. God is a God of justice! In our baptismal covenant, we are asked the question, “Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?” Our collective response is “I Do!”
Can you imagine the feelings of Mrs. Arbery on Mother’s Day? There is an urgency of the now that calls us to be present. It’s time to speak out against vivid violence and to move front and center to racial profiling and racial fear of others. We are all made in the image and likeness of God. Let’s reflect that image when horrific acts of violence occurs. Ahmaud was simply running that day. I run, my boys Stephen and Noah run often. What happens when someone decides that we don’t have the right to run?
Racism has been called America’s original sin. Let’s not stay silent. Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” When we turn aside from issues of injustice, we eventually become numb.
Let’s find time to do a few things as a response to this act of racial terror!1) Befriend a person of color2) Talk to someone of color about this incident and just listen3) Just have a conversation about your initial feelings about Ahmaud’s murder4) Post something on Facebook, Instagram, etc. about your concern of injustice 5) Don’t be silent
Hear the W.O.W., the Words Of Wisdom,“Be a Bridge of Solidarity with Another Person!”
Be God’s Shalom,Stephen
McKendree UMC 