A daily moment of silence to think about social injustice
To end systemic bias, we must create a change in our society. To end implicit bias, we must create a change in our consciousness.
Following the months of protests after George Floyd’s murder, changes are in the making. Some cities announced plans to divert funds from punitive to preventive measures. And discussions of systemic bias and racism are taking place.
But even with major policy and funding changes, there is still a very real possibility that prejudice, racism and hate will again rear their ugly heads, as sadly they have in even the most cultured of societies. Once again, injustice will occur. Once again, good people will stand and protest. More pain, more unrest.
To prevent the next injustice, we must create a society focused on justice.
One poignant part of the protests was “Kneel for Nine,” when for 8 minutes and 46 seconds silence was heard in tribute to Floyd and hundreds of years of racism. Top politicians, street protesters and even people in their living rooms took part in this deeply meaningful protest. Those moments of silence scream louder than any words.
We need to ask ourselves, “What will help ensure we won’t be here again in a year, or two, or 10?” Major systemic changes alone will not bring the full healing we envision.
There’s another form of change we can create, also without uttering a word. A moment of thoughtful silence to begin each day. A moment to contemplate the crucial moral values every individual and every family holds dear. Doing this incorporates the awareness of social injustices into our daily lives. We can bring the protest to our “peaceful” days when everything seems OK.
Imagine a society where people start off their day with a thoughtful minute. Imagine if, as part of his routine when starting his shift, the cop who snuffed out Floyd’s life had a moment of silence to think about the preciousness of every soul.
It was very moving to hear that many of the local protests were started by young people, who hold the key to a better world. When a child, teen or college student is given the opportunity to use their first minute of each school day in silent thought, that daily moment causes a ripple effect of positivity in many areas. From higher school grades to lower crime rates, the states and schools that already implement the Moment of Silence can testify to the effectiveness of this program.
This idea is inspired by the national Moment of Silence campaign promoted by the rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M.
Schneerson, of righteous memory. The silence is a time when students think about whatever they choose. They seek guidance from their parents or mentors about the moral values they hold dear. And they spend a quiet moment each day bringing those values a bit deeper into their consciousness. They then internalize the things that are important, the common beliefs that unite us.
It was the late beloved civil rights leader John Lewis who sponsored and awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously to the rebbe. He said then that while there was almost nothing he and co-sponsor Newt Gingrich agreed upon, this medal “brought Democrats and Republicans, liberals, conservatives, Northerners and Southerners, Blacks, whites and Hispanic, it brought us all together.”
Though people have a vast variety of beliefs, the liberty of a daily Moment of Silence creates opportunity for moral values to be embedded in our children, ensuring a better tomorrow.