In honor of Breonna Taylor and others who have died horribly. Rest in power Ms. Taylor.
In Honor And Memory Of Breonna Taylor
Tag Archives: racism
To My Friends Of Color
To all my friends of color, I stand with you. Your lives make mine better. Our hearts make the world better. Please know what has happened is sad and sickening. I am hoping for better days for all of us and most importantly that you will not have to fear for your lives anymore sooner rather than later. I’ll do what I can to support you.
Love, Me.
Commentary On Racism
In light of the senseless deaths of African American people at the hands of law enforcement officers, there should be greater background checks on recruits as well as mental fitness screenings. If a police officer is racist and mentally unfit that makes things worse and everyone is less safe. Racism is problem enough but adding people who are licensed to carry a firearm and are trained to subdue a human being is like adding gasoline to a fire. The stress of the job can bring out the worst in people and no one is safe when that happens.
Also living in fear of one another is hurting our society in so many ways. God said fear not and to love one another. The church should play a role in emphasizing that more than they do. My friends a reckoning is coming, and it might not be good for all of us.
A Comment About Jussie Smollet
I don’t know much about “Empire” star Jussie Smollett but I know he’s an actor, human and happens to be gay. He was attacked in Chicago by men who sought to harm him in a very violent way. Those who attacked him are a part of a great problem of prejudice, hate and homophobia. Smollett has worked to make life better for all in his community. The America of the 21st century should be about love, compassion, inclusion and peace. Those who sought to harm him are a part of a serious problem that must be fixed.
My Faith Community Responds To Charlottesville
Fr. Quinn Parman, who is my priest at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee addressed the Charlottesville unrest we have seen over the last couple of days. Some Sundays you have to speak on current events so that we know how best to respond. It was also a reminder that Christ’s people upon their baptism should reject evil like we have seen and to love one another.
This is a link to the sermon he preached this morning. Sermon From Fr. Quinn Parman on Charlottesville
Different Colors Living Together
I believe a problem with the ability to relate to people of color comes from a place of not living with people of color in the same neighborhoods, attending the same places of worship and attending the same schools. People will choose where they live based upon the perception of quality and that often means some sort of economic and to a degree cultural segregation. On Sundays there is segregation in houses of worship mostly because of cultural reasons. I think the ability to relate to someone is living in common community and to think of each other as peers. Walking in someones shoes sometimes requires walking where they live.
If we chose to live in real community it would look like a rainbow with some shades of gray. Living together means living together in all parts of life. Sympathy and empathy are powerful things and you get that through experience and the willingness to do something new. I hope I made sense here.
The Tony Burgess Blog 