Empowered to Protest

"Its clear that an essential way to stop the violence and the despair in our culture is to engage in activities that bring us empathy and conviviality"~Cecile Andrews in Living Room Revolution

"Justice without might is helpless; might without justice is tyrannical"~Pascal in Pense

"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!~Jesus of Nazareth 

(Luke 12:49)

Dr. Cheryl Sanders wrote that the first step of empowerment of a people is the expression of testimony.  Not the testimonies that we often get in the traditional "testimony service", but an uninterrupted expression of one's experiences using the witnesses own words, language, and forms.  Often, in our sincere desire, to help others, we rush into the area and begin to rescue.  In that rescue attempt, we often articulate "their needs". and silence the voices of those who desire empowerment.  Paradoxically, we further diminish the dignity of those we wish to esteem and magnify a sense of helplessness.

Recently, I wrote a blog on the connection between the confederate flag and racism.  It remains very difficult for many people to see the connection of the flag as a symbol of hate and brutality and will often simply dismiss the racism away as the over-sensitivity of an entitled people.  

The process of racism, especially systemic racism, ultimately objectifies and dehumanizes its subjects.  It tells its subjects that they are not important, that they can be abused, neglected, and are not entitled to the same voice, the same purposes, or justice as others.  

Hearing the stories of those who experience injustice in its many flavors is the first step of empowerment.  It allows those who experience the pain to not only share their burden and educate their listeners, but to become human in both their own eyes and hearts of their listeners.

Yesterday, Ellie, one of my facebook friends who is typically very reserved shared her experience when her neighbor in Indianapolis decided to display a confederate flag yesterday.  She said

"So my neighbors had this gem waving proud this afternoon. Nice to know I get to come home to my family after a hard days work every evening to be reminded that it's totally acceptable for people to look at me and decide that I'd be better off a worthless, less than human slave to their will because of my f**king skin color and that, that mindset is f**king defended by people who can't see past their own ignorance and stupidity to understand people are dying because of it. I dont give a s**t if this upsets anyone because you're not the one who has to be afraid to take out your trash, go to car, take your child to the pool or go on a f**king walk around your own damn block because you and anyone with you could be the next victim of a hate crime. I guess at least now I know which of my neighbors is a racist piece of s**t. And btw ‪#‎ifidieinpolicecustody‬ I didn't kill myself because I would do whatever I needed to, to come home to my loved ones and child who doesn't deserve to grow up in a world this f**king pathetic."

Can you feel her pain?  Can you sense the fear that the Confederate flag has caused and why she is not only offended but genuinely unsafe? Can you connect with her anger and outrage? This is the power of testimony.  Can you see her as fully human, rational, and concerned?  Can you imagine this being you, your mother, daughter, girlfriend, aunt, or best friend?  Can you identify with her pain and walk with her as opposed to trying to speak for her. Can we validate her experience as the experience of hundreds or thousands who have not summoned the courage and transparency to tell their stories?  Can we join her outrage and advocate for a more civil society, neighborhood, and block?

Let's Listen to the stories of injustice and dare to make a difference?  

May God bless you all.