This morning we celebrated the bitter/sweet occasion of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. Most of us know the story well although we could miss the religious and political implications of what was a curious protest march by misfits rather than The Triumphant Entry, as it often described.
This weekend there have been many protest walks, some of them eventually arrivng at churches, drawing attention to the shooting death of teenager Tayvon Martin. Tayvon was walking near a gated community in Florida when he was shot by a vigilante who somehow was not arrested or charged. Whether it was murder or manslaughter or self defense it's hard to imagine how someone can take another person's life and not even be arrested when no witnesses were present. It feels like a potent mixture of racism, xenophobia, and gunslinger justice. This kid was not a criminal other than being guilty of walking while wearing a hoodie. What a world.
I'm glad Christian communities have responded with calls for justice, but this teen is dead. How can this happen in 2012 in America?
Have you followed the story? What is your reaction?
"It feels like a potent mixture of racism, xenophobia, and gunslinger justice."
ReplyDeleteGood summary.
I hold the United States and its role in global history in pretty high regard. It's times like this, though, that remind me of how far they have to go in terms of getting their own social/domestic house in order.
I have been following this story. I don't have anything to add, except that I'm glad my sons who often are young men in hoodies live here where I don't have to worry about them being shot if they decide to walk to Timmy's for a coffee in the middle of the night, something they do frequently because they are shift workers.
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