Justice is a big, complex concept.
The FREEDOM TOUR cycles to bring hope and freedom to kids rescued from human trafficking. We focus our message and our fundraising on one HOME OF HOPE and one group of children, but of course we’re concerned with broader issues of justice as well. We believe one small candle can shine light into the vast darkness as God uses our efforts in ways we’ll never see.
A few days ago I told you our team talked about justice by sharing a story of injustice during our devotions. You probably won’t be surprised to hear that our 18-person team had varying perspectives about the nature of justice. We enjoyed continued conversations, seeking further understanding.
However, if a small team, already united by a shared desire to seek justice on God’s terms, has some different views, can we be surprised that a nation, or a world, can’t agree?
I’ve been pondering the notion of justice in light of the horrible events of the past few days. It seems to me that, for anything to be set right, three minimal conditions must occur.
#1: The killing, violence, and revenge have to stop. Returning hate for hate only feeds the problem. The hard part is, someone must break the cycle. Someone must resist the urge to get even. Someone must be the first to say, “I won’t hit back.”
That must be incredibly difficult. It’s the only way this madness ends.
#2: Law enforcement officers must be supported. I believe the key to making this happen is to see a person rather than a uniform. That person has a story and people who love her. He chose a life of community service. That person has hopes, dreams, and, yes, biases–just like me.
If I see a person, an individual, rather than a badge or an institution, I can see a human being worthy of dignity and respect. I can hold the institution to high standards and demand accountability while giving individual officers the respect and support they deserve.
3: We must recognize and be willing to discuss the reality of racism. We must acknowledge a message that embodies difficult historical and systemic realities for people of color. The majority (white) society must engage with the very real consequences of hundreds of years of institutional racial bias.
Law enforcement officers must enter this uncomfortable conversation. They must listen and seek to understand, and they must strive to see individuals rather than members of categories.
None of this is easy. Seems like many folks endorse two conditions, #1 & #2 or #1 & #3. But it won’t work, I don’t think, without all three, and that’s going to require a good deal of sacrifice and humility from a lot of people.
It’s a big, complex topic, but most people are drawn to simplistic, one-line answers. The solutions won’t be found in political slogans or quick-fix appeals to the good old days. We must resist the temptation to seek an easy, nonexistent answer when the solution will necessarily be difficult, complex, and long-term.
I also think it’s mostly going to happen in community, and in local communities. Like the church.
Our jersey proclaims JOURNEY FOR FREEDOM AND JUSTICE. I hope our community seeks justice for every person, everywhere.
When our team arrived in La Junta, the police were waiting for us. Honestly, I didn’t see uniforms, badges, or guns. Perhaps I’m naive, but I don’t believe they saw black, Asian, Hispanic, native-Indian-Sikh-turned-christian, or white. I think we all saw smiles and people interested in justice for the oppressed.
I mostly think everyone was grateful for others willing to serve and sacrifice.
I can only change my own heart, and like everyone else I have only my story to share. I pray that God will reveal my blind spots, help me listen a bit better, and show me the path that allows me to shine a small light in the darkness.
And I’m grateful for the enormous circle that surrounds each of us as we stumble along. God lets us get lost a lot.
Thankfully, we don’t have to find the way by ourselves.