Elizabeth

On June 12, 1963, a middle class, college-educated World War II veteran and father of three was shot in front of his home. That man was Medgar Evers, notable civil rights activist.

He was initially refused entry at a Jackson, Mississippi hospital because of the color of his skin. Let that sink in.

The man who assassinated him was able to walk free for over thirty years, because a state agency assisted the defense attorneys, using state resources to investigate potential jury members and ensure the best (all white) jury. Let that sink in.

The white Governor of Mississippi interrupted the testimony of Mr. Evers’ widow during the second trial to shake hands with the assassin. Let that sink in.

Five days before his death, Medgar Evers spoke these words:

I love my children and I love my wife with all my heart. And I would die, die gladly, if that would make a better life for them.

Let’s work together to keep this better life a reality and continue moving forward.

NEWS FLASH: trashing Dr. Seuss doesn’t make you not a racist

Sunday, 31 May 2020Sunday, 31 May 2020 Elizabeth

Dr. Seuss' Racist Past Isn’t The Problem - Your Refusal To Have Hard Conversations Is

Trashing Dr. Seuss and throwing out his books doesn’t make you “woke” and doesn’t make you my ally.

Mamademics very clearly says in the linked article that throwing out Dr Seuss books isn’t the answer to end racism. I’m a lot less subtle. Throwing out Dr Seuss is the easy way out. Posting about it on Facebook is nothing more than an online glaring neon-sign virtue signal. “Look at me! I’m so not racist, I can trash a great American icon!”

Hard for a privileged white person is standing up for “other” every day. Standing up with those who are treated as less-than in our country, despite the fact that they don’t trust you and sometimes even hate you for your privilege. Standing up despite your privileged white peers bullying and shunning you for calling out their racism. Standing up even as all those “nice” women who now want to throw out their Dr. Seuss books stood by silent when you were flamed by actual racists, because nice, Christian homeschooling mothers don’t disagree, they don’t raise their voices, and they never discuss controversial topics.

Go ahead, throw out those Dr. Seuss books. Attack a man who brought the racist views of his childhood in the first half of the 20th Century into his early artwork to show how “woke” you are. Completely ignore that he grew well beyond his era and upbringing in white America to become a humanitarian, writing wonderful books that teach our children about diversity and inclusion. Just don’t expect a pat on the back.

#JusticeforAhmaudArbery

#JusticeforBreonnaTaylor

#JusticeforGeorgeFloyd

chasing selah, prayer

Monday, 11 November 2019Monday, 11 November 2019 Elizabeth

Lord, we pray
for the power to be gentle;
the strength to be forgiving;
the patience to be understanding;
and the endurance
to accept the consequences
of holding to what
we believe to be right.

quick thoughts

Friday, 8 November 2019Monday, 11 November 2019 Elizabeth

www.patheos.com/blogs/carlmccolman/2019/11/gatekeeping-and-contemplation-is-the-church-its-own-worst-enemy

“If the church’s only (or main) purpose is to be a moral watchdog, dealing out shame to those who don’t measure up to some standards (usually involving sexuality) while giving others a free pass (usually when it comes to economic injustice), then the church is going to die.”

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

micah 6:8, no fear

a franciscan benediction

Monday, 13 May 2019Monday, 13 May 2019 Elizabeth

May God bless you with a restless discomfort
about easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
so that you may seek truth boldly and love deeply within your heart.

May God bless you with holy anger
at injustice, oppression, and the exploitation of people,
so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all peoples.

May God bless you with the gift of tears
to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish,
so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.

May God bless you with enough foolishness
to believe that you really can make a difference in this world,
so that you you are able, with God’s grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.

And may the grace and peace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
be with you and remain with you from this day and forevermore

AMEN.