What is the opposite of
justice? How can we know it when we see it or when we experience it? How do we
define racial profiling? Almost two
months have passed since the incident in Sanford,
Florida fueled a national discussion on the
progress of race relationship in America. In some way, each citizen
is responsible for what America
looks like today. The story has been covered by the media but one TV network
suggest it was just an accident.
I agree with the national outcry and protest that is
including citizens of all economic and racial identification. It is not just
about the individual who shot the gun, but the conduct of the police department
(who serves and protects) presenting a case of institutional racialism. Hooded
individuals are therefore gathering all over the nation to express concern.
The fact that the murder of a black by a none black
seemed covered up by police is not incidental to this death and is cause for
great concern. However, while we are concerned that a black boy is dead, the
fact is, several black men are killed each month in Detroit, Chicago, Nashville
and other large cities across the nation. What if the circumstances of this
case were the same, except the shooter was black? Another black man would be
dead and the shooter would have been arrested that night and destined for
prison’s death row. We lose more young men in Black on Black crime than are
murdered by others. Where is the Black church, clergy, civil rights
organization’s in our own communities regarding this fact. How can we so
strongly condemn the neglect of police, legislators and government officials,
when we are not involved in a nation campaign to solve our own problems?
It is not just Sanford’s
police Department. It is part of our criminal justice system. We are 12% of the
national population, yet 50% of prisoners are Negros.
Justice is not just...equality is not equal. Prisons are big business on the
stock market. It is not the intent of the criminal justice system to
rehabilitate, but to stabilize the ex-con in the circle of returns to prison.
Meanwhile, we are shut up in our houses of worship on Sundays and have
forgotten what Jesus said about our
commitment to the hungry, sick and those in jail. When will the church call
thousands together to seriously deal with black on black crimes? Check your
news media, a black man probably died at the hands of another black today.
Some who claim to be the moral right seems more to be the moral wrong. They claim to be
patriots but their legislative agenda has made it more difficult for American
citizens to vote, and at the same time easier for citizens to commit
murder...protected by “Stand Your Ground”
legislation across the nation. What is the opposite of justice? How can
we know it when we experience it? Every day, our school children are repeating
the pledge. ”One nation under God…with
liberty and justice for all.” Neither is
true!
Pastor
Jerry Jerkins
Clarksville, Tennessee
931-220-1522
April
6, 2012
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