Reflections on Trayvon
So much is being said about the death of Trayvon Martin, but let me add a few reflections-
1.) No matter the race or ethnicity of the one behind the murder weapon, we must be concerned about the continued loss of young African-American male lives. Too many young African-American men are leaving this earth too soon. We need more than a rally, we need reasonable solutions about this crisis that leads to fruitful results. Too many institutions are failing African-American boys and young men in this country. More importantly than that, too many families are failing them as well. We need strong African-American marriages, strong churches committed to community development and racial reconciliation, and a series of national initiatives that raises the value of young African-American male life.
2.) We cannot avoid the issue of race in the United States of America and beyond. The racial stereotyping, profiling, and devaluing of African-Americans is still a major issue. I am a professional, Christian, and highly educated African-American male. I still have to endure experiences where I am profiled simply for being Black. We can’t put all the blame on African-Americans in terms of how they are perceived. Corporate heads that are European-American make more money than African-Americans off of the devaluing and stereotyping of African-Americans. No question that there are some African-American rappers, athletes, and reality show stars that have sold their souls over money, but they should not carry the blame alone.
3.) It’s painful that some of the media are trying to use the fact that Trayvon was having some trouble in school to place blame on him for his own murder. Painting an African-American male as troubled on some level is used to steer our attention away from justice.
4.) It’s also painful that so-called Civil Rights leaders show up for racially charged issues, but don’t give the same passionate attention to Black on Black crime. A few months ago in Oakland, California there multiple homicides in one weekend where African-Americans were both victim and responsible for the crime. Neither Reverend Sharpton, nor Reverend Jackson made an appearance.
5.) Finally, as an evangelical pastor, I’m so concerned about how the evangelical church and its leaders seem to rarely, if ever take the lead in standing for compassion, mercy, and justice on issues like this. Where are the prophetic voices of justice, reconciliation, and liberation within evangelicalism?
These are my reflections. I now turn to prayer before the God of love, justice, and transformation. In Jesus name.
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Efrem, thank you for your honesty and challenge to the church to be proactive, not just reactive when an injustice hits, but active in the day in, day out moments that happen in our cities across the country.
-nick
Really good thoughts on this Effrem. (I always remember your giving your testimony at Northwestern College when I attended I loved hearing how God brought you out of a life headed in the wrong direction and the Lord turn it around and now your being used to do great things to advance the kingdom)
I think many of your points you make are good. But I do see both sides of this. I hope you understand, I don’t want to belittle that a life was lost at all. Because I believe Every Life is important.
From my perspecive here’s the situation:
1) There’s a man in fear for his life defending himself that used deadly force
2) A young Black kid in the wrong place at the wrong time
3) Officials not responding quickly or correctly
Each of these all played a part in this young mans death. It is sad situation. But the more I learn and hear about this incident, I’m really not sure that race really played a part in this. But the incident opened the door to the conversation that really needs to be adressed and discussed in every community and church across America.
As a Hispanic that is married to a caucasian man who lives in the south, I see and receive subtle racism or prejudices all the time. Many of my minorty friends have as well all across the country. I beleive racism is still around but i dont that it is comparable to what our parents or grand parents endured. It is real and we need to educate people and create a culture of change. Yes prayer must be th fuel to it, but as with any injustice that happens in the world we must also raise awareness to the issue.
As you mentioned, I am also appalled at the so called civil-rights activists comments that just add more fuel to the flame instead of diffuse the situation. There are some who are speaking in truth and love. Did you see this article: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/fire-in-my-bones/32598-dont-add-fuel-to-racisms-fire
On the other side of this I wonder, Do you think the outrage would have been the same if it was a Hispanic kid named “Trayjano Martinez” and the assailant was a caucasian or even a black man? Do you think would it have received the same global awareness and media frenzy? I am not sure that it would have. Which is also sad. Also, what and how so you think believers and the church respond to this?
I think you hit the nail on the head when in point 1, but that goes for every person that is born in to this world.They need to know what their identity is, why they are here and Who’s the image they have been created in. I think it is pretty eveident in todays American society that we hare in the midst of an identity crisis. this is the root of every issue we deal with today. And unfortunately it is only gonna get worse.
However, All the people that have unitedd and come together for this cause is so awesome to see!
I just wish more people would take a stand for the 54 Million unborn babies that have been murdered over 50% are African American and Hispanic. Trayvon’s life is just as important at the ones in the womb. Those that defend & promote choice, like to look passed the fact that Eugenisist founder Margaret Sanger was a racist with the Goal of eliminating all other races. Now that’s racism in its purist form!
I appreciate reading your thoughts on this, and for the most part, agree with you. However, I think it is still too early to use the term “murder” — though that may indeed turn out to be the case.
Personally, I would like to hear more African-American leaders asking for people to wait until all the facts are out — and pastors especially should be reminding us that’s it’s more important to find out what the Truth really is, than to try to force the “facts” to fit our own ideologically-driven narratives. So much info has changed or come out since this story first broke and we still do not know what really happened. What I do know is that the events of that tragic night may turn out to be far more complex than the simple narrative of “innocent young African-American child stalked by armed trigger-happy racist white guy” — it is still too early to know.
Nevertheless, irresponsible people have used this tragedy to further their own agendas and blithely besmirched Florida law enforcement on the basis of their own assumptions. They have also “profiled” George Zimmerman, tweeted his address (incorrectly), put a bounty out for him “dead or alive,” and more or less accused all white people of being racists, closet or otherwise.
I want Zimmerman to be charged and convicted if, in fact, he was at fault here. But I don’t want him to be charged and convicted if, in fact, he really was defending himself. That doesn’t mean that Trayvon’s death still isn’t a horrible tragedy. Is is — but what is also a tragedy is that so many people, especially in the African American community, will be angry and disappointed and bitter if it turns out that Zimmerman isn’t the terrible guy they want him to be. That is sad.
Efrem,
Thank you for publicly sharing your thoughts about this sorrowful incident. We need to see God’s work in healing. Prayers for sound leadership and justice in Florida.
From,
A friend from Church of the Open Door
There are neighborhoods in some of our more urban cities where young African American males in their early 20′s are jokingly referred to as the elders. It is a horrible reality! I think your words were about as appropriate and wise as ANY I have heard on this subject! We don’t know all the facts, and as was pointed out above, they seem to be changing (in each direction) daily! Yes, it is not important whether Trayvon was an A student or a D student, when determining the justice in this particular situation. And, more importantly, the issue of the incredible loss of young African American male lives, by whomever, does not rise or fall on what the facts eventually show in this ONE case! You are correct in being a role model, showing that we must turn our hearts in prayer to our heavenly father, to petition him to use us as tools to bring justice and love for all of His children! Thanks again for your words of wisdom!