The Right Time • El Momento Adecuado
by Doris Garcia Rivera
The “right time” of our struggle for we can’t breathe anymore.
Peacemaking has never been easy but there are times, “the right times,” when it is just daunting. Over these past three days the heaviness in my heart and soul has grown as the U.S. agonizes in the midst of racial violence, a pandemic death toll surpassing 100,000 and the painful unemployment rates. It seems that we are entangled in a fight that even if won, it will leave us torn; shredded unto unrecognizable pieces
There is no excuse for the murder of George Floyd and each one of the four police officers involved in his death must face justice. The rage and pain is so deep because the recurring assaults on Black people and people of color (POC) continuously unveil again and again that Black lives are not valued in these United States. Floyd’s murder enrages us all for the cruelty and the abuse of power shown. But this murder points – once again – to the deep-seated systemic racism in our society, to the ingrained prejudice in our hearts and to the unconcerned minds justifying hurting other human beings just because of the color of their skin. Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America – Bautistas por la paz (BPFNA-BPLP) denounces this murder and sides with peaceful demonstrations, expecting and demanding justice to be done.
It will be difficult to assess the damage done by this long legacy of injustices to the soul of this nation. White Supremacy harms everyone, including white people. The added trauma by this event will be felt for years to come. Patching up the pieces will not (and should not) happen quickly. Like a tornado, Floyd’s murder is pulling cities into chaos as protesters exert their right challenging the system that kills and its forces of order. Theirs is the anger and sorrow now exploding into every city in the U.S. Their voices represent genuine and legitimate frustrations over judicial and economic systems that have failed to provide true protection, true peace and justice for all.
It seems we are fighting like Jacob against a “mysterious man,” capable of killing us, unknown yet known, as we recognize our own face in this enemy. This fight with ourselves, has become a demonic force we have named – racism. A demonic force still able to escape our efforts to annihilate it, as it turns viciously against us.
These past three days I cried with anger and pain. I prayed for justice for George Floyd recognizing that all of us have a part to play for we are all connected by invisible threads of life that make us one; and it is as one that we will prevail to transform this sinful system. These days I reflected on my roots as an Afro-descendant white Puerto Rican woman, as a citizen of the U.S., as a subject to its colonial power but also as a Christian. All of these counts, but mainly because of my faith, I commit myself to dismantle racial oppression however I can.
While these successive “pangs of birth,” can madden us, as peacemakers, it is essential to remember that grace and forgiveness heal our hearts, that our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against the systems of evil (Eph. 6:12) that justice will be done for we seek it (Mt. 6:33). Our actions will define the future we want to build. If you are at the protests, remember to be protected, to be wise, to model peace with justice, to organize cunningly as well as prudently, to break the silence but respect the other. There will be those willing to do harm, I pray they understand the pain they cause and refrain from violence. I know that friends, pastors and spiritual caregivers all over the nation are engaging everybody in their reach to minister peace, self-control, compassion and to become conduits to dialogue about racism. I pray they be strong, with clear minds and caring hearts.
This difficult time is a “right time” to grapple with Jesus’ words about loving our enemies. It is a “right time” to seek peace with justice for the color of our skin is not a condemnation but a gift of the divine image. Under this yoke of darkness, this is the “right time” to ask the Spirit to break us free and help us breathe.
