Inclusivity…really?

“…[A] riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it America has failed to hear?…it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice and humanity.” — Martin Luther King

When are we going to change?

Tragedy upon Tragedy

It is 2020, in the middle of a pandemic. The state of Michigan, having had its State Capitol Building stormed by protestors, thought it couldn’t get worse when they had floods.

Now emanating from the state of Minnesota, there are many states struggling to cope with the outpouring of long standing resentment. That desire for justice is now evident, the people have been left empty. When we hear of looting, we may sneer, shake our heads and declare that punishment is needed. I will not speak of the President of the USA’s comments on social media. They were sadly characteristically provocative. Put ourselves in the protester’s shoes: after so long, what would we be doing? Will we change?

Please I am not advocating the destruction of the community, but just ponder how we would be feeling, empty, lost and powerless…

Our Privilege

In the UK today what understanding do we have for our own privilege? Not just in terms of money or the prestige of our occupation (if we are that fortunate) but who we are. That might very well come in terms of our parentage. Note the animosity expressed with Dominic Cummings’ Father’s house(s). We may cast a comment about those who are educated at Eton and they now appear to take centre stage in Parliament and on our screens.

Let’s look at ourselves. When will we change?

Where is our privilege, and how is that expressed: visibly, silently perhaps to others? Is it expressed through our gender, our sexual orientation, our education, where we live, our role in society?

We may feel ‘sorry’ for Breonna Taylor, for George Floyd. It needs more than that. When might that sorrow be converted into true compassion through the change in ourselves?

As we celebrate Pentecost, that time of inclusivity, with people of so many nations coming together. Perhaps the focus was then upon God, of loving one another as equals. Justice for all, Compassion for all. It’s time.