Let ’ s embrace nonviolence
AS I look out upon the tragic events occurring in the streets of Baltimore, I cannot help but feel shocked and broken-hearted.
Anger over the yet unexplained death of Freddie Gray is one thing, but to respond through the violence that has engulfed the city is another matter. The rioting, looting and burning does not accomplish anything.
The anger underlying this behaviour is understandable. Over the last year we have seen too many unarmed black men killed with no consequences for those who committed the act. Living in neighbourhoods where there are no jobs, no quality education, no livable wage, and the resurgence of racism all leads to a sense of hopelessness and despair.
After a certain point, people begin to throw their hands up and cry out in hopeless resignation, What s the use?” All of us need to be concerned. These same conditions exist everywhere. It could be your city or mine next. And until these underlying conditions are addressed, none of us can be comfortable.
As the PNBC, our challenge is how do we reach an unparented and unchurched generation to teach them the history of nonviolent protest as the strategy to create social change? Those who have engaged in these violent actions have surrendered the moral high ground to those who could care less about our condition and our hopes.
Nonviolent protest was calling attention to the culture of police brutality and initiated a conversation about change. Now that message is being lost.
The Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC) condemns this violence, but we also condemn the system that consistently ignores the need to engage in urban revitalisation and providing jobs that pay a livable wage. Until the larger underlying issues are addressed, this frustration will erupt again and again. Let us pray and work to effect true, lasting and positive change.
I ask all PNBC pastors and churches to make yourselves available to Baltimore clergy and congregations to provide tangible support as the Holy Spirit directs. I m also asking that we use this as a moment to teach this current generation about the practice of nonviolent protest as practised by the Rev. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. and his words, Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible.
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