Our faith teach us that each person is created in the “Imago Dei” (image of God) in Genesis 1:27. Because humanity has been made in the image of the Holy Parent we are therefore full of intrinsic worth, value and deserving of dignity. What is true is that God did not create race, racism, superior groups of humans, nor did God create hegemonic and hierarchical social structures. God does not sanction human suffering, but looks upon those who are suffering and intervenes directly to bring about liberation and justice for the broken and oppressed. Black Lives Matter.
Black Lives Matter, because we live in nation where young black males are 21 times more likely to be shot dead by police than their white counterparts.
Black Lives Matter, because black women in crisis are often met by police with deadly force.
Black Lives Matter, because queer and especially transgender black individuals face elevated negative outcomes when they encounter police in moments of trauma.
As a Church, we boldly proclaim, “Black Lives Matter” not simply because we are a largely black worshipping congregation, but because we are called to witness against white supremacy and support the struggle to build a society that is antiracist and reimagine a world where the public safety of the most vulnerable is centered and prioritized. In this church we insist upon living a life that is model in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, to shows us what love looks like, what justice looks like, and equality looks like– in both the public square and our private places of being.
#BlackLivesMatter and white silence is violence.
