“Do Something!” The chant from the crowd gathered in Dayton, OH began spontaneously, or so it seemed. The Governor of Ohio was speaking, offering thoughts and prayers for the victims of the latest mass killing. Gilroy, El Paso, Dayton…in one week. 250 mass killings this year. “Do Something!”
Like those citizens of Dayton and vast majorities of Americans, if the polls are to be believed, there is broad agreement on what should be done. From universal background checks to banning assault weapons the people are in agreement. From restoring mental health resources to Red Flag laws, we agree. Majorities across political and racial lines, gun owners and NRA members agree.
We know at least some of the things that should be done.
Our persistent inaction demands that we look more deeply, within ourselves and at the culture that constrains us. There are many contributing factors, without doubt, but as Rosemary Bray McNatt, President of Starr King School for the Ministry, wrote this week: “Whatever the other factors at play, each [mass killing] shines a harsh light on an underlying, virulent evil: the evil of white supremacy culture and its entitled expression.”
Our current President is a dangerous and powerful promoter and exemplar of that culture. He has unleashed and blessed the most public expression of those values we have seen from the presidency in decades. But he is only a symptom of the disease.
Listening to our calling, in this time of shrill and hateful rhetoric, is a challenge for me and for us as a religious people. In these first days of my return from time away, I am trying to bring all of the love I can share as well as all of the honesty I can bring to bear.
Condolences and prayers are necessary but they are not enough. They have never been enough.
The tragedies of these days may make it easier to see that it is the broader and deeper culture within us and around us that we need to change. There is a blessing to be discovered in the midst of these tragedies.
Rev. Pamela Lightsey, VP of Academic Affairs at Meadville Lombard Theological School writes: “This violence will be eradicated by speaking hard truths, by knowing the history of those truths, and the courage to look within our own selves to wrestle with those truths…”
These challenging days ask of us to find our most faithful response. This is holy work. The task, as Dr. Elias Ortega-Aponte, new President of Meadville Lombard writes: “… is to shape life by the higher demands of justice because lives are at stake.” All of our lives.
I add my voice to the voices of these other leaders of color in our community, calling on us all to do the work that can make possible a hopeful future.
There is one thing of which I remain certain — hope is to be discovered together. The Beloved Community is the dream that calls us forward and demands our faithfulness. Each of us and all of us.
I will be returning to the pulpit this Sunday and offering some further reflection on these challenges and the shape of our spiritual response.
Blessings,
Bill