Rev. Karen Hernandez-Granzen - the one person you expect to meet at a peace rally

A Mitch Albom novel entitled “The Five People You Meet In Heaven” follows the life and death of a maintenance man named Eddie.

Short version. Eddie gets killed and sent to heaven, where he encounters five people who had a significant impact in his life.

Rev. Karen HernandezGranzen? Pastor, chaplain and activist represents the one person you can expect to meet on Earth — tending to her Westminster Presbyterian Church congregation on Greenwood Ave. in Trenton; distributing tickets to innercity residents as part of the McCarter Theater outreach effort that connects urban Trenton to arts-infused Princeton; offering a prayer for humanity and tolerance during many city-based events.

Hernandez-Granzen stood as the one person expected at Saturday’s rally for peace, love and understanding at Palmer Square in Princeton as several hundred people marched against hate, racism and bigotry.

While the object of their response — members of the New Jersey European Heritage Association — called off their march, claiming a hoax had inspired an estimated 400 counter protestors, race revelers in support of integration and equality rounded Palmer Square.

Hernandez-Granzen appeared on Nassau St. then offered her familiar salutation.

“Hola, amigo,” she says. It’s always “amigo” with Hernandez-Granzen, despite the fact that we have different thoughts regarding several situations in Trenton — one an amigo almost always an amigo.

Amigos don’t let amigos morph into enemies simply because they may not share common ground on all issues — that’s a recipe for continued failure and eventual self-indulged exile.

“The message is love. The message is not hate,” Hernandez-Granzen said.

“I appreciate my colleague the Reverend Lukata Mjumbe who posted an article on the internet that said the people who show up here is a good thing but the work is beyond (this event).”

The Rev. Lukata Mjumbe guides Witherspoon Street Presbyte-

rian Church in Princeton, located just blocks from Palmer Square.

Rev. Mjumbe noted “Real answers require a sustained commitment to engagement, struggle and remembrance of racialized people and institutions.”

The Hernandez-Granzen embrace of words and ideas espoused by brother Rev. Lukata Mjumbe, displayed an acceptance of his insights, important for their missions of love.

“It takes continued conversation and action, and a willingness to be pushed beyond your comfort levels,” Hernandez expounded.

“To look at your false self, to look at your own shadow? .... So that you can look at others in the same way. Yes, this rally for love and tolerance is important but there’s work to be done.”

Hernandez-Granzen implored people to develop their own voice and to empower themselves in preparation for a life of love.

“This is no time for silence,” she said.

“Adios, amigo, it’s always nice to see you. You’re the one person I expected to see here.” Vice versa, Rev. Hernandez-Granzen.

L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @ LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian. com.