May 8, 2020
Ahmaud Aubrey would have celebrated his 26th birthday today. In the midst of the pandemic; Ahmaud Aubrey’s murder illuminates sadly, once again, the ongoing pandemic of Racism. 75 DAYS after he was murdered on February 23… today… finally… two of Ahmaud Aubrey’s murderers were charged. Sadly, Ahmaud joins a long list of innocents killed because of black skin. This IS a Black/White Issue! This IS a Pandemic of Racism that is long overdue for eradication.
My heart goes out to Ahmaud’s Mother and loved ones who truly feel the void of this bright light gone from this earth. My heart goes out to all Black and Brown People.
I share this message from Marcus Allen (posted on Facebook May 7, 2020), as it speaks better than I in my white privilege can:
“To be clear: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Black America.
We can’t go jogging (#AhmaudArbery).
We can’t relax in the comfort of our own homes (#BothemSean and #AtatianaJefferson).
We can't ask for help after being in a car crash (#JonathanFerrell and #RenishaMcBride).
We can't have a cellphone (#StephonClark).
We can't leave a party to get to safety (#JordanEdwards).
We can't play loud music (#JordanDavis).
We can’t sell CD's (#AltonSterling).
We can’t sleep (#AiyanaJones)
We can’t walk from the corner store (#MikeBrown).
We can’t play cops and robbers (#TamirRice).
We can’t go to church (#Charleston9).
We can’t walk home with Skittles (#TrayvonMartin).
We can’t hold a hair brush while leaving our own bachelor party (#SeanBell).
We can’t party on New Years (#OscarGrant).
We can’t get a normal traffic ticket (#SandraBland).
We can’t lawfully carry a weapon (#PhilandoCastile).
We can't break down on a public road with car problems (#CoreyJones).
We can’t shop at Walmart (#JohnCrawford) .
We can’t have a disabled vehicle (#TerrenceCrutcher).
We can’t read a book in our own car (#KeithScott).
We can’t be a 10yr old walking with our grandfather (#CliffordGlover).
We can’t decorate for a party (#ClaudeReese).
We can’t ask a cop a question (#RandyEvans).
We can’t cash our check in peace (#YvonneSmallwood).
We can’t take out our wallet (#AmadouDiallo).
We can’t run (#WalterScott).
We can’t breathe (#EricGarner).
We can’t live (#FreddieGray).
We’re tired.
Tired of making hashtags.
Tired of trying to convince you that our #BlackLivesMatter too.
Tired of dying.
Tired.
Tired.
Tired.
So very FUCKING tired.
That’s how I feel.
Please feel free to cut, paste and share as a reminder of the names of these black people. Never forget. —
#Rip 🙏🏽 #All 😪 — with Genntreial Allen, Rickey Duncan, Samuel Staten Jr., Kirklyn Berry, Nell Allen, Tasha Allen, Rich Berry, Larry Washington, Al Spivey Jr., Donavan S West, Abu Edwards, Terry Palmer and Louis Garcia."
Tonight’s Prayer was in response to the killing of nine people at AME Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina in June, 2015. The Council of Bishops of the AME church designated September 6, 2015 as a “Day of Confession, Repentance, Prayer, and Commitment to end Racism.” They asked every place of worship to focus on race and asked all clergy to preach on race and be reminded and that out of one blood, God created all of us to dwell together in unity. The following prayer is a meditation and elaboration based on “Worship Resources for Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015 of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.”
Prayers of Intercession for the Nation ~ Day of Prayer to End Racism
Gracious God, we thank you for the human family filled with all the peoples of the earth. We are thankful that you have created such an amazing and wonderful diversity of people and cultures. We pray that you will enrich our lives with ever-widening circles of fellowship, so that we may discover your presence in those who differ from us.
Deliver us from the bondage of racism that denies the humanity of some people, and deprives all people of the blessings of the diversity you have created; deliver us from assumptions that we make without thinking, and presumptions that we take without asking.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Bless and strengthen each effort we make as individuals when we seek to understand ourselves and others as well as the ways we benefit from personal privilege and power, so that we may be allies who challenge bias and prejudice within ourselves and others.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Bless and strengthen each effort we make to change the systems and structures of our schools and educational institutions; our politics and civic policies; and our economic institutions’ methods and models; so that the roots of racism may be recognized and purged from among us.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
O God of unconditional love, look with compassion on our nation. Break down the walls that separate us from one another. Cast out the spirit of violence that afflicts so many. Cleanse us of malicious ideas and ideologies. Unite us in bonds of love like unto your own. And through all our struggle for justice, work within us to accomplish your purpose and establish your kingdom vision.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Amen.