“Notes on religion” is theGrio’s inspirational, interdenominational collection that includes Black thought leaders throughout faiths.
Household, we’re nicely into August, and the sociopolitical local weather is past! The headlines have been ablaze, from incendiary insurance policies from the Florida governor to the mounting indictments in opposition to a former president to the Black angels who descended upon what some have termed the “Montgomery Riverfront Rebellion.”
Truthfully, we don’t sometimes distribute violent movies in our family, however bae-bae, the “Alabama Brawl” was a literal and metaphoric research for the ages as we watched an entire group rise to close it down for one Black man. From an Alabama metropolis that was one of many seats of slavery within the South, the echoes of a up to date racially charged assault reverberated by means of the worldwide Black group. Equally, the collective intervention on behalf of a brother in want grew to become a love revolution and rallying cry because it streamed throughout social media.
The timeliness of the Montgomery Riverfront Rebellion occurring throughout the month sometimes called “Black August” serves as a poignant reminder of the legacy of freedom fighters who’ve valiantly sacrificed their lives and private liberty within the pursuit of Black liberation and Black Energy. Black Energy, a potent sociopolitical motion rooted within the concepts of self-determination and communal upliftment, emerges as a beacon of inspiration. This narrative of resilience, woven into the material of Black historical past, beckons us to channel our energies towards constructing a society the place we get up for each other with unwavering resolve.
Throughout this commemorative month that emerged from the Seventies battle for Black liberation, we honor our ancestors and elders, fallen freedom fighters and political prisoners, who had the braveness to face robust and agency within the face of immense hazard. We’re impressed by Marcus Garvey, Assata Shakur, and Huey P. Newton, who exemplified extraordinary resilience in sociopolitical mobilization. As aware Black public theologians rooted within the Black prophetic custom, we honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Fannie Lou Hamer, Bernice Johnson Reagon, and Medgar Evers, to call just a few, who embraced activism and religion — notably with a spotlight within the South.
Rooted within the spirit of resistance and resilience, Black August uplifts. We hold hope, and we hold urgent. Do now we have a selection aside from hope, household?
This Black August, let’s think about a world the place the instinctive response to at least one particular person’s or group’s struggling is to instantly halt and kind a united entrance in opposition to an injustice — by any means crucial. This notion challenges us to transcend particular person pursuits or consolation to rally round these in determined want. In a society suffering from prejudice and discrimination, the facility of a group’s united entrance is usually a transformative drive. Our radical love and unapologetic unity is our salvation.
This salvation isn’t new. We’ve recognized this sort of radical energy, rooted in deep love and respect for our folks as a result of our ancestors and elders taught us, confirmed us, and made us.
As we commemorate Black August and course of what some have termed “the Montgomery Riverboat Rebellion,” the themes of religion and help present in Psalm 3:1-4 & 6 resonate deeply.
“LORD, what number of are my foes! What number of stand up in opposition to me! Many are saying of me, ‘God won’t ship him.’ However you, LORD, are a protect round me, my glory, the One who lifts my head excessive. I name out to the LORD, and he solutions me from his holy mountain…I can’t worry although tens of 1000’s assail me on each facet.”
Reflecting on all of it, we had been impressed to reinterpret the textual content: “Oh, my God, there are such a lot of of them popping out of nowhere, surrounding me, saying, ‘We’ve received you proper the place we would like you.’ However you, God, working by means of your folks, have my again, shielding me, coming stronger and tougher than I may have imagined. Might I worry no evil, figuring out You’re with me, even when 1000’s of enemies encompass me.”
This biblical reference exemplifies how by means of our legacy of religion and solidarity, we each are and are sheltered by pillars of help. Inside our heritage, there’s an crucial to face shoulder-to-shoulder within the face of adversity. Our energy collectively is insurmountable, and on the finish of the day:
We. Are. All. We. Received.
We all know it’s laborious out right here. Typically it appears as if lasting change is much off. Let’s not lose hope, Household. Allow us to stand as a group and channel our collective vitality towards guaranteeing nobody stands alone. As we commit ourselves to the values that embrace love and respect in direction of one another, allow us to be assured that after we come collectively to champion a simply trigger, the influence is profound, far-reaching and lasting.
There’s something lovely about being assured that we’ve received one another’s backs. The laborious fact is that these Divided States of America could refuse to confront injustices. Nevertheless, this current occasion underscores the importance of rallying round one another. Allow us to reimagine a society the place a simply society is aware of no bounds and embodies the change we want to see. Heeding the decision to protect the distressed, calling upon the spirit of braveness linked to Black August, and drawing from the teachings taught by decolonized historical past, there’s a blueprint for a simply and compassionate society. Allow us to press ahead to the “Vibrant Hope for Tomorrow” with the reminder that we’re our ancestors — who, in flip, are mighty and brave. Go together with this reminder: We’re constructed not simply to outlive however to thrive as a group.
Creator, assist us see one another after we are underneath assault, whether or not it’s one or many people.
Assist us discover the indicators and pleas for assist.
Empower us to reply shortly.
Train us our energy in numbers.
Present us days of nice overcoming.
Make us one.
Rev. Dr. Alisha Lola Jones is a religion chief serving to folks to seek out their groove in a fast-paced world, as a advisor for varied arts and religion organizations and professor of music in modern societies on the College of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. She is an award-winning creator of Flaming? The Peculiar Theopolitics of Hearth and Need in Black Male Gospel Efficiency (Oxford College Press). For extra data, please go to DrAlisha.com.
Rev. Calvin Taylor Skinner is devoted to empowering frontline communities in Knoxville, Tenn. and the UK. He makes use of Religion and Coverage to deal with vitality justice, legal justice reform, voter schooling/mobilization, electoral politics, and world affairs. Alongside together with his spouse, Rev. Dr. Alisha Lola Jones, they lead InSight Initiative, a consulting agency specializing in capability constructing and stay occasions manufacturing.
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