I am deeply saddened by the events that occurred on Wednesday June 17; the night hatred entered the sacred doors of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. It seems impossible that hatred could listen to love for an hour and somehow hatred and violence would triumph over love and peace. Yet hatred and violence seemingly won out on that tragic night in South Carolina.
So what happens now in the wake of such a ferocious night? Many people, government officials and the like say “Take down the confederate battle flag”, as if such a tiny act could have dispelled such horrible violence. Understand, I have long felt despair whenever I saw that flag, to me a symbol of hatred, terrorism, misery and murder. A flag behind which hid the hooded knights of the Ku Klux Klan, the White Citizens Councils, Skin Heads, Neo Nazi Party and the quiet citizens who tolerated such horrific behavior. So what happens now? Will those who have silently tolerated hatred and discrimination miraculously find their long quiet voices? Will the citizens of America suddenly discover that what happened that night and so many nights before is not an African American problem; it is not a black folk issue with the police problem. It is a long-time, guttural, horrible, ugly problem that faces America and has existed in some form since 1619 when the first African slaves were stolen from their families, torn from their communities, kidnapped, shackled and thrown into the bottom of slave boats to be bought and sold like animals. Will our country and the citizens that adore it come to realize there is a healing that needs to take place and the necessary healing resides in the pain of racism and that pain can no longer be ignored? This healing is not about pointing fingers or about guilt it is about healing our country and its many diverse citizens who long to be full citizens.
As followers of Jesus Christ through the deep and loving guidance of Holy Mother Church we must take seriously our role as Catholic Americans. As such we are called to do more than make pronouncements about justice. We are called to act justly in the behalf of all people. If we cannot do that, then the world should not take us seriously about calling others to do the same. Charity may start at home; but it does not end there, our efforts on behalf of others will have no authenticity if we attempt to avoid such close-hand responsibilities. Jesus always had time to deal with such claims and then He acted.
The very reverend Bishop Edward Braxton of Bellville Illinois has developed a landmark program released in January 2015 that calls us to action: “
Healing the Racial Divide”. In the letter the bishop reminds us of Pope Francis’ theme for this year’s World Day of Peace message which states: (we are)
“No Longer Slaves, but Brothers and Sisters.” While the pope’s message focuses on human trafficking. Bishop Braxton writes, “In addition to physical bondage, the bishop said, “there are also forms of social, emotional and psychological slavery: slavery to prejudice, racism, bias, anger, frustration, rage, violence and bitterness in the face of systemic injustices. Regrettably, these forms of slavery endure in the United States and they are born from the tragedy of the European ‘slave trade.'”
I am aware that many people live in a world where they feel racism doesn’t affect them, that it is somebody else’s issue, that there is no racial divide. Many people feel they are “color blind”, or have no prejudices because as they state: “some of my best friends are black”. How I cringe when I hear such statements. I do not want people to be color blind nor to hear the “some of my best friends” declaration. The nine people in South Carolina and millions more of American citizens don’t want anyone to be color blind. What’s needed is to see what is happening because of racism to every citizen in this country of ours, possibly even one of your best friends. We must be better.
On a quiet Wednesday night in South Carolina hatred and violence savagely spoke…and yet love and peace rose from that savagery on the third day when family members Nadine Collier, Alana Simmons and others spoke words of forgiveness for the man accused of murdering their loved ones.
Our church must not reflect the folly of our nation and sit idly by as inert observers, but must begin to understand what underlies the discord that is tearing apart lives so that our nation lays in violence and discord. Our Church can and must participate in leading the way to peace between races.
The Office for Black Catholic Ministries in collaboration with The Office of the Diaconate and the Office for Social Justice Ministries is offering this fall, a six part workshop that will begin a community discussion on the state of the racial divide in America. The centerpiece of this discussion is:
“The Racial Divide in the United States: A Reflection for the World of Peace 2015." The dates and location for the program will be sent to be added to your calendar.
Hate cannot and must never be the last word.
Deacon Arthur L. Miller
Director
Office For Black Catholic Ministries
Archdiocese of Hartford