For those whose hearts and prayers are with Minnesota, thank you. It is a dark moment in our city and state.
We are still healing from the reckless murder of students in a church just months ago. Now, we find ourselves mourning again – this time, a mother killed by the very government sworn to protect its citizens. For this reckless murder, it is difficult to imagine there will be justice. For this reckless murder, cowardice will be spun as self-defense, a murderer painted a hero that saved precious lives rather than ended one.
We mourn our neighbors that are being abducted by cowards unwilling to show their face. Our hearts break for the families torn from each other’s arms and the children assaulted in a school parking lot for just trying to be kids but were born in the “wrong place”.
But to those not here, in Minnesota, also know that our community is strong and organized. There is strength in our community and enough love to outshine the darkness. I continue to remind myself that community is the antidote to despair and grateful to work with and know so many of the good people serving at a time where it’s easier to hide behind a screen.
When I feel anger and hate bubbling up for all of those causing the pain in our city, I challenge myself to be better. Better than the hate and fear that is the goal of the darkness. To hate the actions of the federal agents and the entire system that has led them here and at the same time consider how to love their humanity in hopes that one day they may recognize the humanity in those they cast out.
Only when I am reminded of the most difficult command – to love my enemy – am I able to come back down from the suffocating clouds of rage and fear in order to step into action. I can once again recall the gratitude I have for my community and continue with the work ahead.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. – Martin Luther King Jr.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” – J.R.R. Tolkien
Thank you for reading or sharing. We shall overcome. Let’s get to work.