Hard to Breathe

Once again, the US is in the headlines for another life of color senselessly taken. In actuality there have been 3 recent deaths that have received worldwide attention. They all involve people of color, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery. This is nothing new nor will it cease at any point. This also does not mean that others not of color or even police officers, have not had their lives taken senselessly. Anyone should be sensitive to that when these conversations are had. However, we must acknowledge that the world structure is not designed to provide equality. Therefore, it presents opportunity to skew areas of society to favor certain people of economic class or race over others. In most parts of the world it is factual that a White person will be presented with greater opportunity and leniency than say a Black, Latino or other person of color. The saddest reality for parents of color is educating our children to be aware that even, riding in their car, jogging or simply walking down the street, can turn wrong all because of their skin color. This is definitely a stark reality here in the US and for a greater perspective look no further than our prison system or slavery as a foundation for building this nation. Some aspects of slavery and even the short falls of civil rights still exist today, they are just packaged in a less obvious manner. There is a line from a famous movie that says “Attitude reflects leadership” or in this country’s past and present state the lack there of.

We often forget that there has always been an epidemic or pandemic if you prefer in this country and throughout the world. Its name is Sin. Long before any disease ever panicked the earth or racism ran ramped in the streets. Sin was and still is the leading cause of death. You see sin is what pits one against God and against others. It causes those in the highest of places to disregard those in low places. Sin is what motivates and nurtures hate and gives it a place to reside in hearts of men and women. Sin is the horn blowing on a speeding train passing too fast for you recognize but it has your attention. Sin’s vision is chaos and destruction and one’s life has no importance in its travels.

Sin provides liquid courage to cowards regardless of race, creed, color, economic status or uniform. Sin has no value system, no moral compass, no compassion or empathy. The world moves along every day and most people consistently turn a blind eye to social injustices. The only time it will matter to those folks is when an injustice is at their front door. Then they will want to march, protest or otherwise speak out. But if it’s across the street, next door or around the corner that’s none of their concern. Most communities large and small are the enablers to the injustices we see. They allow those who do wrong and break rules to repeatedly do so and live normal comfortable lives with little or no repercussion. Sadly, some of those wrong doers include the very people who are charged to uphold the rules. It occurs daily where someone is putting their knee on someone else’s neck whether, physically, mentally, judicially or economically.

Then when the tired become restless and the restless become enraged strangely they are the problem. Being honest, they do play a role in the problem because when they become consumed, they can’t see through the storm that sin creates. The mission then becomes tear down their own communities to be heard. What is intended as a means to stand up and fight back, in the end simply plays into the system created to keep them oppressed and viewed as a threat. None the less can you blame them? Imagine crying out for help every day of your life and yet no one answers? How long would you be able to wear those shoes?

Does this mean that every Black or Latino person is innocent in all the cases we read and hear about? Absolutely not. However, does it not mean unless presenting an imminent threat, they don’t deserve to live to have their day in court? To be afforded the right to prove their innocence or guilt, because once they are dead that opportunity is lost. We must begin to see that social injustice, racism, bigotry and inequality is not a black, brown or white problem it’s a sin problem. Unfortunately, because we as people don’t protest sin of every kind in our lives and communities, that is the real injustice. Until we do, sin will continue to make it hard for anyone to breathe.

This is why Jesus himself a man of color, came down from heaven to suffer and die at the hands of his own creation. Yes, contrary to popular belief he was not a blue eyed, blonde haired white man when he took on flesh. Why is this important? Well, when knowledge is given, false perceptions become clear and truth can create effective change. The truth is the risen Jesus has afforded us all regardless of color the opportunity to be forgiven and to conquer sin in our lives. If we all from world leaders, law enforcement to common everyday people spent more time with Jesus. We would spend less time killing, oppressing, hating and more time interacting with love.

Read: Romans 6:23, Read: Psalms 150:6