Derrick J. Hughes, D. Min.
Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was murdered on Feb. 23 in Brunswick, Georgia by two white killers, Gregory McMichael and his son Travis McMichael. Dreasjon Reed, 21, was shot and killed while running from a police officer after a car chase on May 6. Mr. Reed, whom the police said they pursued after seeing him nearly hit several cars, was streaming live on Facebook during the chase, and thousands of people were tuned in when he was shot and killed.
We have heard the frustration of senseless killings for years. Our anger seems to taper off following each tragedy, only to ignite again when we hear about a new one. These killings are happening so often that many have become immune to them. We must not accept these egregious senseless acts anymore. PERIOD!!! NO MORE!!!!
How many testimonies have come out recently about minorities being afraid; afraid to go out at night; afraid to go into certain neighborhoods; afraid to be Black or brown-skinned; afraid to go for a jog; afraid to drive. This can no longer be the norm!
We’re tired of being shot and wrestled down in the streets of what is supposed to be the greatest country in the world. Then those who are killed are made to be 2 responsible for their own deaths or have their character assassinated in the media.
We must not accept this any longer. It’s time to fight back. No justice, no peace!
NO, I am not suggesting vigilante justice by taking matters into our own hands, but I am talking about raising hades all over the country simultaneously until there is justice. No justice, no peace!
The racial divide is real and active; thus, to deal with it, the people of God must not stop working against it until “justice runs down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Injustice is not just a Black or brown issue. Though I have heard the voices of several whites speak out against the hideous slaughter of Ahmaud Arbery, there must be a coalition of all races working together to fix racial injustices. I’m calling on every pastor and Christian across the country to begin formalizing action, being led by our faith in the Christ who loves us all.
This is the time of NO MORE! No more slaughter of people because their skin is dark; no more turning a deaf ear to injustice; no more watching those who kill and harm minorities, whether guilty or not, be allowed to be legal executioners without due process of the accused; no more just shaking our heads and saying, “Oh, ain’t that a shame.”
We must create an environment of NO MORE PEACE all around the country until there is JUSTICE.
