Dear Caldwell,
Last night, I attended the showing of the movie “13,” which unblinkingly traces how mass incarceration took deep root in America thanks to the diablolical blend of misspent political and corporate power. In the structured dialogue afterward, one member of my small group openly and courageously confessed to how shocked he was by the many truths in the documentary, includuing the reality that one in three Africa-American males will be imprisoned at one time in their lives.
“I feel like I have participated in systemic ignorance,” he said, vowing to dig deeper.
What a powerful phrase, one that convicts many who are still discovering the facts about what it is to be black in America in 2017. Systemic ignorance is how we have systemic racism. Systemic and relentless learning of the truth – and following with action – is how we reverse systemic racism, in Christ’s name.
This weekend, we think, pray and act on the enduring vision and prayer of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Shortly, a group of members will arrive here on campus to prep our float for tomorrow’s MLK Parade (thank you, again, Jane and Mike MicBride!). We meet at church tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. to head uptown to march and bear witness in our Caldwell shirts to the journey of this congregaion to justice. If you are unable to walk, we can make room for you to ride on the float. Grab a friend and come out – the weather should be good.
Observer religion reporter Tim Funk called me this week, among other clergy who were active amid the uprising in Charlotte last September. “Do you still believe the city has a sense of urgency?” he asked.
Dr. King’s magic, I responded, was his ability to lift up the power of love and justice at once, in equal tension. That’s what makes King’s vision so enduring, I believe. One without the other is unsustainable. Maintaining the constructive tension we felt in September is the key to our progress in closing the gap between the “two Charlottes” we saw exposed last fall.
I give thanks for all of you who seek to live in that constructive tension of love and justice, the puruit of which is indeed the vision not just of Dr. King but of our God in Christ.
Hope to see you tomorrow.
Yours in Christ,
John