Somewhere in South Florida there is a retired senior citizen; a native of Washington D.C., who can vividly remember when he and his associates attempted to burn the Chocolate City down after Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. His flashbacks capture him angrily marching down 7th St. NW directly towards the police...ready and itching for a battle. As he closes his eyes he sees the fire lit buildings. He puts his hands over his ears and hears the screaming sirens and the shouts of the frustrated, scared youth. He remembers the scratching, the pulling, the bleeding, the bodies. Tears slowly roll down his face, wishing he could go back to April 4, 1968 and stay in the house. But now, he's wondering who he hurt and if he killed anyone. After more somber moments he raises his eyes to his local news...where the reporter captures the building anticipation of the Trayvon Martin case verdict. Immediately he drops to his knees in prayer; weeping bitterly.
Statement: Peace is desired, but violence is necessary. The right to vote that so many were strongly encouraging in '08 and '12 was accomplished by the beaten and lynched men and women from Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. The liberation of African-Americans was produced by countless violent demonstrations and the bloodiest American war in history. And for all you holier-than-thou cats, you have no salvation without Jesus suffering violently and dying (Mark 8:31). This truth doesn't mean, however, that we must [always] be partakers in violence. And ladies and gentlemen, I believe we are approaching a time where that decision must be made.
It is important to know that the American justice system is fragmented in to state justice systems; many of which are bigoted, and many of which the federal government supports. And while the awareness of these justice systems...who deliberately oppress the under-educated and the poor...must be promoted, it should not be in a violent, reactive manner. Therefore, if George Zimmerman is acquitted, the emotional toll it will take on millions without a doubt will be immeasurable. But violence and rioting aren't the ways to communicate these feelings. Mass imprisonments of our young men and women will not change the hearts of the prejudice; it will only support their theory of minorities being uncivilized. Destroying Miami Gardens, North Charleston, South Richmond, and other heavily populated poor and working class Black sections only brings in the National Guard and allows for politicians to increase taxes to repair the buildings that [figuratively speaking] you destroyed. It also, in this day and age, may usher in Marshal Law - an ever present heavily armed police force - into our neighborhoods. Besides, imagine how the Martin family will feel; when after losing their son and judicial support will see all of us...stealing and killing.
Let us practice peace and non-violence in these potentially volatile days. Let us learn to guard our children before they are gunned down by an over zealous individual through prayer and the influence of legislation with constant participation. Let us march with determined love in the streets instead of a readiness to clash...in the event of another great American tragedy. For if many are sorely disappointed, another young man being brutally killed does not remedy that pain.
Peace
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