There is a legend that during a fire that destroyed Rome in AD64, the leader of the Roman Empire, Nero, stayed in his safe castle and played his fiddle (actually a lyre). It describes an out-of-touch, ineffectual leader that exerts no leadership in a time of crisis. While I believe that could very well describe the United States today, that is not the purpose of my musings. My reason for writing is a much more personal one.
There are so many needs in our country today. People are dying from COVID-19; unemployment is reaching un-heard-of heights; grief and sorrow abound. And where am I? Safe in my home, following the “rules.” This is Day #76 of my isolation. I am doing the right thing. But, am I guilty of “fiddling” in the time of crisis?
My heart is broken with the news of yet another black man dying at the hands of police officers. The litany of names of black men killed in this country by white men, especially those in law enforcement, is long. It grieves me to my deepest being. I cry out for change. I want to do something to make a difference. . . to join into not only the lament that rises up on the behalf of people of color, but to bring about true repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation. But, I feel so helpless. Is even writing this blog an exercise in “fiddling?”
There is no question that violence is not merely a racial issue. Obviously, white men also killed other white men. My dear son was the victim of this. The culture of violence in this country is an insidious, evil reality. But racism in our culture has been at the core of our country for all of our existence. It must be a horrible stench in the nostrils of God. We claim our “Christian” heritage—while never confronting and eradicating this grip of the Evil One. I so want to DO something. I do not want to grieve for a moment and turn back to my “fiddling.” We talk about American being “great” or “great again.” This can NEVER be possible without changing America’s DNA of white supremacy and racism.
I read today this list that made the issue so personal and real. I share it with you, that you might also face the ugly reality of what our black brothers and sisters face everyday. Yes, Black Lives Matter because being made in the image of God means that ALL lives matter. It is imperative that no one. . . no matter what color. . . take a look at the “fire” and return to “fiddling.”
Here’s the list. Read it and weep:
I have privilege as a white person because I can do all of these things without thinking twice about it and without being killed:
I can go jogging (#AmaudArbery).
I can relax in the comfort of my own home (#BothamJean and #AtatianaJefferson).
I can ask for help after being in a car crash (#JonathanFerrell and #RenishaMcBride).
I can have a cellphone (#StephonClark).
I can leave a party to get to safety (#JordanEdwards).
I can play loud music (#JordanDavis).
I can sell CD's (#AltonSterling).
I can sleep (#AiyanaJones)
I can walk from the corner store (#MikeBrown).
I can play cops and robbers (#TamirRice).
I can go to church (#Charleston9).
I can walk home with Skittles (#TrayvonMartin).
I can hold a hair brush while leaving my own bachelor party (#SeanBell).
I can party on New Years (#OscarGrant).
I can get a normal traffic ticket (#SandraBland).
I can lawfully carry a weapon (#PhilandoCastile).
I can break down on a public road with car problems (#CoreyJones).
I can shop at Walmart (#JohnCrawford) .
I can have a disabled vehicle (#TerrenceCrutcher).
I can read a book in my own car (#KeithScott).
I can be a 10yr old walking with our grandfather (#CliffordGlover).
I can decorate for a party (#ClaudeReese).
I can ask a cop a question (#RandyEvans).
I can cash a check in peace (#YvonneSmallwood).
I can take out my wallet (#AmadouDiallo).
I can run (#WalterScott).
I can breathe (#EricGarner).
I can live (#FreddieGray).
I can ask someone to put a leash on their dog when it is required in the public park we are in (#ChristianCooper).
I CAN BE ARRESTED WITHOUT THE FEAR OF BEING MURDERED. (#GeorgeFloyd)
White privilege is real. Take a minute to consider a black person’s experience today
#BlackLivesMatter
God, convict us in our deepest souls today. Bring us to true repentance. Show us how to act and bring about the change of our national DNA. . .and in the hearts of each person in America. God, somehow, bring glory to your name, as we seek to make a difference. Amen