It has taken me a while to write about this because I underestimated how deeply I was moved about the sometimes 'covert' systemic racism in the UK. Racism and police brutality is a topic that I learned about during my undergrad years at the University of Leeds and it is apart of what we cover when I teach about Black America.
But we will all agree that this conversation about systemic racism has been transatlantic, pun intended. But as a Christian and a black woman, what does this have to do with me?
Like most people, I was running in between checking social media for all the updates but trying to avoid social media because of all the updates. It was heavy on our heart.
In the age we live in, it can be easy to forget that posting online may not bring actual change.
Social media has been fantastic for bringing awareness, it has pushed many of us to google further, read more, sign petitions and led us to have more meaningful conversations. But these are actions that come AFTER posting.
As an educator, this current political and social climate as caused me to think beyond social media. God has made me uncomfortable by asking me "HOW can I use you?" My response was simple "USE ME" *power to the people*, But God then replied,
"will you be still enough for you to use me? Will you be silent enough to download the solution into you?"
I was stumped. I realised that for me, whilst going to a protest was great on 5th June (I drove, I didn't march. We abided all social distance policies, by remaining at the back and keeping MORE than 2 metres away) and every empowering! I knew that God needed me to be effective in my environment. And I am challenging you to the same call. Where can you be salt and light in your environment? We may have to be still, pull away and ask God, "How can I make a change in my generation?" Jesus said it better than I can: Matthew 5:14
“Your lives light up the world. Let others see your light from a distance, for how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop?[s] 15 And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place?[t] Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. 16 So don’t hide your light![u] Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.”
In the midst of darkness, pain and brokenness, not every action will be seen but I guarantee He sees EVERYTHING and if we are willing to silent for a moment, I am confident that He will download the solution to the problems we see.
Much love,
Tumininu...x
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