Multiple officers descended on a murder suspect. Before giving him an opportunity to surrender, the officers opened fire. Bullet after bullet pierced his young body. Falling to the pavement, the young man managed, “Why?” Though the officers rendered aid, it was of no use…he was dead before he hit the ground. Officers on the scene tried to absolve their actions. They kept saying that they thought he had a gun. It worked for a time. However, lies can’t live forever. When the videos were released to the public, it was very clear that these officers murdered the young man. Every scene demanded justice. Somebody had to do something. Who was that somebody going to be?
Over the last few years, police brutality has brought together coalitions of people to fight for justice. Thousands would march in the streets. Rage would fill the chambers of government. Advocates would use every mechanism of resistance they could muster to achieve justice. In the midst of these moments, the names of the brutalized were shouted over and over again. Progress always seemed possible. We no longer live in such a time.
There were no marches. Everybody was scared of getting sick. There were no enraged speeches. Nobody wanted to get out. The mechanisms of justice were all turned inward. People just wanted to survive. The officers got away with it…not because they were innocent…but because the advocate was dead.
It doesn’t have to be like this. Resurrection is possible. The questions are calling us out of our graves. How much are we willing to sacrifice for justice? How much are we willing to sacrifice to save the lives of others? The brutalities are not going to stop…unless we stop them. Now more than ever, the world needs advocates. Come back! Get creative! We cannot let the Coronavirus/death win!
Amen.
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