A Response for Justice

           

           In the past few days there has been an outpouring of anger, demands, accusations, and calls to action. The tragic death of Michael Brown has been the catalyst for a neatly drawn line with voices demanding we choose. I am saddened by the divisive politics and social commentary through social media. I also am saddened by the manipulation of people through emotionally baiting one another. Regardless of the facts or lack therof we are collectively and individually quick to anger and judgment, the very issue that brought us here in the first place.  

There are two sides to this issue and what I have found and continue to find is that we most often have two sides that fuel one another. We find ourselves playing chicken with one another for respect. We call for one side to respect the other and only then, once that offering is made, will consideration be made to offer the same to the other. Love your enemies becomes a call to love one’s enemies once reparations and apologies have been delivered or authority and respect have been recognized. A conditional reconciliation would be a generous definition but an emotionally charged accusative blackmail would be more accurate on either account.

            We are quick to react when such events take place as the shooting of Michael Brown. We are quick to react to the death of a young man with his arms raised pleading for his life, shot in cold blood by an angry police officer. We are quick to react to a militant community making excuses for angry and violent behavior. We are quick to react to a bureaucratic system that is stacking the deck against an oppressed community. We are quick to react to a robber intent on violently ending the life of an officer. These are all lines that have been drawn this past week.

            Here is the thing I have not heard as much of; response. You see, a response is a verbal or written answer but reaction is in fact an action. We are quick to react but we accuse response of complacency. In our impatience for justice and truth we will sacrifice those two very principles we claim to be seeking. Justice and truth take time and they demand response. It is in response that we find truth and justice.

            As details emerge perhaps we can seek out ways to diligently respond to what is happening. Instead of reacting to a murdering police officer maybe we can respond to a young officer that is horrified and frightened at what has transpired and has spun out of control. Instead of reacting to a violent criminal who was shot attempting to murder an officer in the line of duty, perhaps we can respond in grief for a young man whose life ended far too young and will never have the opportunity to make an impact on this world. Instead of reacting to an intolerant police department determined to oppress and victimize we can respond to a group of scared police who have no idea how they have gotten into this situation or how to get out. Instead of reacting to a violent and unreasonable community using this as an excuse to lash out uncontrollably, we can respond to a community hurt by a loss of a member and uncertain they can be the recipients of justice.

          We are quick to react but our reactions build walls, they draw lines. Responses give us a chance to empathize, share, engage and wait patiently, anxiously for justice and righteousness. The demand for quick judgment and results does not provide the time needed to fully discern and gather the tools to paint a full picture. A full picture clarifies, it heals, and it provides the opportunity for justice. Clarity is needed when we speak of justice, however. Justice is not always what we want. Maybe that is the biggest problem in all of this though. Maybe we aren’t seeking justice, maybe we are seeking justification, and maybe we are seeking revenge. Justification and revenge are not synonymous with justice but justice is something we are called to seek. Justice isn’t easy and it isn’t always pleasant but it is necessary. Do we have the patience and tolerance to wait alongside fellow members of our collective humanity to seek justice? Do we have the grace to pray with them, for them, regardless of where they stand? We might be surprised at what praying for those whom we do not like or agree does for us. You might find it heals the one in prayer as much as those for whom we pray. 

           I lift up Officer Wilson, his friends, coworkers, and family in prayer. I lift up Michael Brown, his family, friends, and neighborhood in prayer. I do not pray for their community, I pray for our community. If I can pray for our human community, maybe I can start to recognize it as that; one human community in patient response together awaiting justice

שלום ,سلام, and Peace