Null
Don’t get me wrong. I do want to visit all of these “Black Lives Matter” murals. I love the sudden appreciation for Black Lives. I think representation in the media is important. I think statues should be removed and names should be changed. Let’s be clear, none of that changes history or the present. We are still fighting for Black Lives to Matter. We are still fighting for Brown Lives to Matter. We are still fighting for Equal rights for women and the gay community. The fight isn’t over because of a few commercials and marches, and what we are really asking for has fallen on deaf ears. In fact, what we really want is null and void.
Distractions
Magicians utilize distraction to execute their illusions. They make you focus on one thing while their hands or assistant is doing another. Fake news works the same way. The controlled media creates news cycles to divert our attention from the real issues. The enemy does the same thing. We find ourselves caught up in conflict when God wants to deliver us. We find ourselves focused on the storm when God wants us to walk on water. What distractions are you currently facing? What is being deliberately put in your line of sight when you should be paying attention to something else? What are you worrying about when God has already handled? Don’t let these temporary distractions steal your joy. Don't let these uncertain times steal your faith. Don’t let one defeat steal your victory. Distractions are a tool of the enemy to keep you bound.
John 8:36 NKJV Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed
Organize
When I think about organizing, I think lists. I am an organizer. I keep multicolored sticky notes on deck. I think Tupperware. I think storage bins. Mostly, I think order. When Killer Mike said, “we need to organize.” He was saying we need to get our affairs in order. What is our goal? Is it specific? Is it measurable? Is it attainable? Is it realistic? What time frame will this occur? Who is going to lead us? What’s the plan? Who is financing our goals? We need to organize, but first we need a clear mission on all fronts.
Advocate
noun /ˈadvəkət/
a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy.
I’ve always heard that God was our advocate. He was on our side. He understood our pain. He felt our pain. He was human as much as he was God. He gets it. I’ve made comparisons about the plight of the African- American with Christ. They are very similar. Innocence didn’t stop the murder of Christ or any of the African American people who have died at the hand of law enforcement. In fact, religion and politics have played a very large role in both murders. This is not the season for quiet support. This is not the season for backroom checks. We need accomplices. We need people who are truly down with the cause. We need more than posterboards and catchy chants. ( I do like the catchy chants.) We need policies. We need reform. We need economic support. We need a change in how we indoctrinate racism systematically on all levels. We need advocates.
Reform
re·form /rəˈfôrm/ verb
make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it.
Reform. Say it. It’s not a bad word. It’s just hard. Change is hard. I get it. You’ve always done it this way. It ain’t broke. It still works. All of these are excuses. We keep justifying why we shouldn't change and ignore the fact we need to change. It’s bigger than statues and monuments. It's bigger than flags and protests. It’s institutional. It’s subtle reminders that justify the past. In order to grow, you must learn from the past. Glean and grow. Reform.
Condemned
Verb
1. express complete disapproval of, typically in public; censure.
2. sentence (someone) to a particular punishment, especially death.
There are parts of our society that need to be condemned. There are behaviors that should be called out and frowned upon. There are political views that stand juxtaposed to basic human rights and civility. We need political and social reform. We need crimes to punished equally regardless of race, class, or political view. We need an overhaul of our criminal justice system. We need hate crimes to be prosecuted to the fullness of the law. We need voter suppression addressed. We need allies advocates and abolitionists. We need our society's proverbial coattail to be pulled. We need certain behaviors to not be tolerated and publically condemned.
Plot
verb
secretly make plans to carry out something.
devise the sequence of events in (a play, novel, movie, or similar work).
I think the biggest issue we have as a people is organization. We typically find ourselves divided on most issues. We can't agree. We don’t properly plan. We always find ourselves on opposite sides of the fence. How do we find common ground? How do we find a place where we can agree to disagree and still move forward? We can’t overcome in a perpetual state of solitude. We need each other. We need to plan. We need to scheme. We need to prepare. We need to plot. What’s our next move?