Change is not accomplished by peeling off superficial layers when the causes are rooted deeply in the heart of the organism.-MLK JR
Marching in honor of a man and a movement that changed the course of history in America is noble and should be supported.
Listening to speeches about change is needed, being inspired by a rousing rendition of a iconoclastic speech was moving. Hearing politicians and community leaders talk about change and reminisce about the path of bigotry, racial disharmony and segregation was appropriate in an era when we are forgetting too often, what was and pretending what is.
But...I must make one observation that almost cancels out all the above.
Standing together and marching or doing anything publicly before the eyes and ears of the city; that isn't being lived out day to day privately from the heart, in our neighborhoods...is pure hypocrisy.
If we don't have the guts to do the work to discover and expose and then cross the lines that daily divide us...I think we are dishonoring the very spirit behind the holiday. In fact, we are liars...who deceive ourselves. We have become those who are good at hearing but suck at doing.
We like to talk the talk but when it comes down to walking the walk...we really are not moving. Come on let's get real around here in Spokane. It is easy proclaim the need for racial unity loudly but not live it as loud...right here...right now. Once a year is great but the walls won't come down in our neighborhood, once a year. They are daily built with neglect, prejudice and racial segregation that is going on in our community and relationships. Disadvantaged economic issues, ambivalent politics, impotent church traditions and leaders...all contribute to a pathetic testimony to our poverty of unity in this region. And as the scriptures say...judgment begins in the house of God.
So...lets get off the stage, out from behind our segregated pulpits and on our knees...together.
Then we can maybe start preaching a gospel that is really being lived.
No comments:
Post a Comment