Dear Caldwell,
Rev. Dr. William Barber is one of the most powerful and eloquent prophets of our time. This afternoon, he put it squarely at a press conference about this week’s tragic events in Charlotte.
“This didn’t start Tuesday,” he told the national media.
His point was that the root causes of this week’s unrest were dug deep long ago, even generations ago. There is a lot we don’t know about the circumstances Tuesday. What we do know, as he said, is that a deep inequality lies underneath the veneer of our city’s success. It broke through this week to a watching nation.
As we all live in the tension that I mentioned in my blog earlier this week, there is much we do not know, as Dr. Barber said. He and others rightly call for the truth to come out. Meanwhile, here are somethings we can do.
- Tonight, Educate to Engage continues its discussion of The New Jim Crow about the vast racial imbalance in America’s incarceration industry. This is open to us and should be a very relevant dialogue. 6-7:30 pm The Third Place
- Also tonight, after Educate to Engage, a group will be doing training for any who want to be qualified as an public observer. This will equip participants to be neutral observers in instances when the police are forced to deal with potential threats and violence.
- Tonight at 6 pm, a vigil will be held at Myers Park United Methodist Church.
- Tonight, Little Rock AME Zion Church on McDowell Ave. uptown will serve as a safe sanctuary for uptown focused-interest.
- Tomorrow night at 7:30, also at Little Rock, a special service of healing and witness will be held.
You can also:
- Come to the 24-7 prayer and meditation space to pray for the city.
- Invite someone who is different to coffee at The Third Place.
- Read or re-read the recent study on how profound poverty is deeply racialized in Charlotte.
I am sure this list is incomplete, but it’s what I know as of now. Of course, everyone must do only what they feel SAFE doing and we should all use our heads.
As you know, the ACE class is studying the prophets. I am reminded today of Jeremiah’s words – words that were not referring to only some, words that referred to the ancient Hebrew idea of “shalom,” which means wholeness for ALL.
“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
In Christ,
John