Black lives matter, and to the extent they are devalued by racism all lives are diminished.
I stand with my African-American friends and colleagues in ministry in calling for an end to systematic racism and all racial disparities in policing, employment, health care, and every social justice issue.
The Biblical principles of justice expressed in the US Declaration of Independence apply fully to every person of every race without exception: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Platitudes ring hollow against the disproportionate brutality we are constantly witnessing. We each must work to resist and eradicate the evil and injustice and oppression of racism in whatever forms it takes from our personal lives and from our institutions. We must intentionally live into our national vow in our Pledge of Allegiance: “with liberty and justice for all.”
African Americans are being dehumanized in our society to the point that inequity, brutality, discrimination and even public execution without trial has become acceptable in some circles and commonplace in some communities. God values each and every human life so much that God sent his only son to be our Savior.
Black lives matter, and we stand against racism.
Presented as a pastoral statement against racism for Briensburg United Methodist Church.
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