Author:
Marcus A. Turner
"The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy." – Benjamin Franklin
I am a black man in America, and I love Christ and this country. However, I am certain of Christ's love, but at times, I am uncertain of America's love for me. Have you ever felt the despair of knowing that you are not seen or heard or wanted? Your cries go unheard, your suffering goes unnoticed, and you realize that you are indeed Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man." When I first learned of our American government, I was told that we lived in a Democracy only later to find out that statement wasn't exactly accurate. An authentic democracy would be one adult person and one vote. The truth is we live in a Republic with some democratic tendencies. However, within our Bill of Rights, it is clear that every citizen of the United States is to be treated equally under the law. No big I(s) or little you(s), a government by the people for the people. Now, there are those that argue whether or not these laws were intended for the African American, in which I assert, "It doesn't matter." The Constitution and the Bill Of Rights are for citizens and their benefit alone, regardless of race, color, or creed. The only relevant question is whether you are a citizen or not. Once that has been established, one is entitled to all rights, protections, and benefits that the Constitution provides. Forgive me for being astonished that somehow the American government has decided to deny me what is rightfully mine for centuries. How long will you plunder my people? How long will you disregard our contributions, steal the work of our hands, and ignore the sweat and blood that has watered the American soil? When Colin took a knee during the national anthem to protest against police brutality, somehow, the majority of Americans made it about respect for the flag. As if black Americans didn't have a reverence for the flag. Blacks fought bravely in the Civil War, World War I and II, and every war after that. However, after their great sacrifice, they returned to their country, for which they had shown their love and their reverence. But that same country didn't love them back. Once again, America had ignored our cries.
In King's "I Have Dream Speech," he noted: "In a sense, we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice."
Hopefully, we as Americans are waking up, because this is not about me and mine, it is about us. We are to do unto others as we would like them to do unto us. Therefore, if I allow someone to mistreat you, then someone at some point will abuse me. No righteous man can stand idly by and watch another man be misused and not act. As Christ has said, if you have done it to the least of these, you have done it to me. I am sure that hate must be taught; it is not natural to hate anyone. How hard a man's heart has to be to look into another man and not see himself? So, today I want to make it known, how my heart jumps inside of me when I see what Dr. King dreamed: Blacks, Whites, Latinos, and Asians holding hands and saying, "If you have done it to the least of these you have done it unto me." Perhaps America and the world have seen us. Maybe they see that I am you and you are me and we are one.
Jesus said that the enemy sows tares (weeds) in a field of wheat. But the time to separate the wheat from tares is not while they are growing, because you could damage the wheat. Therefore, we must allow them to grow together, and at harvest, the wheat and tares will be separated. We must stay focused because we have a divisive President that is more interested in taking us backward rather than forward. He has been trying to get us to focus on the tares. You know those violent actors who do wicked things because they are hurting and desire to massage tensions and increase divisions. However, Jesus warned us that the wheat and tares would come up together. We are to focus on the wheat and to separate the tares later. There will be many more attempts to distract us or divide us. We cannot afford to let this happen. We must continue to stand as one until this country values all men's lives despite their race, color, creed. It's a beautiful thing when the so called powerless has found their power. After all, it's our taxes that fund our government. It is our kids that serve in the military and occupy our police forces. It has been painful watching our tax dollars used against free speech and the right to peaceful protest. We purchased the riot gear, tear gas, guns, and rubber bullets that were turned on the American people, by a man who works for us. However, I remain hopeful that America will live up to her promise, and we, the people, will take back the power from those that seek their personal ends. To serve, one must lose the "I" within the "we." In America, we do it together and not alone. I wish us all the best in righting wrongs and making crooked ways straight because, in the end, this will create a better country for all of us who are a part of this great American experiment—delivering on a government by the people and for the people.
