Honoring the Movement
Although I understand the struggle for liberty and equity which is playing out in our world today, partly because of the stress induced by the multiple media sources we consume each day and partly because of the restrictions of COVID-19; however, this experience is not unusual, nor strange to mankind. What we are experiencing is normal to us albeit new to the young. Is this new movement worthy of those which have gone before it? Does it honor the true nature of "The Struggle for Liberty and Equity", the movement? Do you honor what has been earned for you?
The plagues of my youth was AIDS and violence in our communities. Several of my friends died in gun battles with other gangs and the police. It was common to be harassed by the police and threatened by drug dealers and gangs. At my high school we experienced a running gun battle at school between rival gang members. Although I did not lose any family members to AIDS, my family members lost many friends and I remember their sadness and anxiety. I knew that this was new disease, but at that time I also knew that this was not the first time a disease killed because of sexual contact. It was not the first widespread disease that people were ashamed to have and quiet about it. It was not new to mankind, but it was new to me.
Through all of this I am reminded of the lessons of the Civil Rights Movement and those of the Abolitionist Movement. They both taught the lessons needed to make sense of the times in which you live. Whether it is the past, present or future, the principles found the Bible serve you well and keep you focused on the prize. "Focused on the Prize" Individual morality in what you believe, say and do is still the most important factor as to whether you can stay focused on the prize of life. If you do to others only what you would have them to do to you, then you have begun to understand. However, if you Love others even as you Love yourself, then you are focused on the prize.
Your character in times of crisis and your behavior says more about you than your ideology or your stated goals. Civil Rights leaders believed that suffering was redemptive. Do you know what this means? It means that they believed that suffering at the hands of those who hated them, was the way to change the laws, change the culture and change the nation. They believed that they could take that suffering to the Justice of Heaven and that He would rule against those who committed the violence designed to oppress. They believed that Liberty and Equity would come from God, not laws, not the opinions of others, but only from God. They believed that God could change the hearts of hateful people. So they suffered in faith and their suffering lead to a more Just society, not a perfect society but much better than before.
The Abolitionists were a movement of more than 100 years, and their true strength was not only in the character and morals that they promoted, as well as their emphasis on empowerment through education. Their true strength was in their strong belief that "patience in doing good reaps great reward". They firmly believed in carrying on the battle for liberty knowing that they would not necessarily see the benefits of their labor. They believed in an eternal battle against evil, greed and all the sins of the world. They worked pleased to be called and eager to suffer and toil for their whole lives for the movement. They believed in America's ability to change even in days of great oppression and lawlessness.
Now consider your moral code. How does activism compare to these pioneering movements? How does your thoughts, speech, and behavior compare with the moral and spiritual roots of the movements I have described here? Are you willing to suffer for justice and equity. Are you willing to Love and have great patience with those who hate and do you harm? Are you willing to believe in a system and that oppresses you with faith that they can and will change? Are you willing to endure even to your death not seeing those changes for yourself, but for future generations? How does your "woke-ness" compare to the past movements of enduring faith and work?
If you believe in the struggle, then you cannot become like those who commit evil. Whether that evil is from ignorance, apathy or hatred, you must fight the fight of good character first before you can fight for Liberty and Equity. If you do not, then when you have power, you will become just like those who oppressed you. You will oppress others, and nothing will have changed.
When you struggle for liberty, you must base your struggle on the strength of Truth. That Truth must be a truth for yesterday, today and forever. If it is only true for you today, then it will be false tomorrow. Whatever you believe, cannot be ideologically, culturally or ethnically based, it must be universal and true for all time and all peoples. Previous movements have found these Truths in the Bible and from the words of Jesus Christ. Their efforts are evident in our society today. Whether we continue to grow, change and do better depends upon the Truth that you know, do and express to the world.
Finally, there is a sacrifice that must be made for humans to do better. That sacrifice is either voluntary through obeying the Truths in the Bible, or it will be through suffering caused by not obeying the Truths in the Bible. There can be no gain, no reformation, no renewal, no revolution and no transcendence, without a sacrifice. What are you willing to sacrifice for the movement? What have you given up to gain a better life? What you are willing to forego for the benefit of the next generation? You see the movement cannot gain if it is only about you and you getting what you think you deserve or want. The movement is selfless, and resists pride, arrogance, ignorance, and ideology. If any of these things are characterize your efforts, then your struggle will be in vain. However, if you look past yourselves, and believe in a better future even if you won't get to see it, then it will come. It always does in the Struggle for Justice and Equity, in the movement. How do you live, the movement?