The world is still in a turmoil because of Covid -19 and just when we thought things were finally getting back to normal, ‘black lives matter movement’ took us back to square one. There is still so much that keeps us awake at night from covid-19, to racism, persecution, the uncertainty of the economy, our children’s future, unfair treatment amongst minorities,….and the likes. The least I want to worry about is my children’s future in a world that has already placed judgement on them just because of the color of their skin. The system has already placed us into a box with just a little light coming through and in that box only a select few survive that is why we have to work ten times harder than our white counterpart, we have to prove our credit worthiness, obtain higher education and gain meaningful job experiences with lesser compensation. It comes to a point where people actually forget that we are humans, we have feelings, we hurt, we bleed, we have emotions just like anyone out there & above all we are real – As Jesse Williams clearly puts it, “just because we are magic, it doesn’t mean we aren’t real.” 1 Peter 3:8-9 “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing”. We are real people with the same attributes as any other race out there. Sadly, it’s one of the thoughts that keeps me awake at night. Now I need to train my kids on how to conduct themselves when stopped by police officers, in public places, on wearing certain attires that are earmarked as gangsterism, cushioning them on how to interact with police officers or on how to even walk..This isn’t right! There is already so much us as parents need to worry about; and adding this to the already long list of parenting can be very stressful, worrisome & nerve racking. I guess this is what we have been reduced to and for some reason is not getting any better. 

Romans 13: 3 tells us that “ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.” What if the one in authority is the one we are most afraid of? Is the one persecuting us, killing us, limiting us to nothing? Those are questions I need answers for myself. That is why lots of people, especially blacks have been wrongfully convicted for a crime they didn’t commit and have spent wasted years behind bars only to be reduced to nothing without any hopes of ever getting a job because of their records. Is this fair? Mind you this was a wrongful conviction from someone who never had a record, did everything right – yes I know some were lucky enough to be commended, but what of those who weren’t? It can be devastating, but at the end of the day, we should just do what is right, comply with the law, and fear not, because going against the law will not help the situation rather make matters worse. Always remember this: “There is no witness so dreadful, no accuser so terrible as the conscience that dwells in the heart of every man.” by Polybius. Why is it that  during organ donation no emphasis is given to the race of the donor nor the recipient. Reason; we all bleed the same. Our God is full of wisdom, knowledge, power and understanding.  The Bible further reiterates that “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” The real man is not the one with the good looks or who says the nice things . Is what he thinks in his heart which is only audible to him but known to God or which websites he/she visits or does when no one is watching.

Should equality, fairness, humanity, diversity still be a thing in this 21st century? From the look of things, it is still a hot topic. So let’s make sure we are making our voices heard, being a part of the movements, supporting the cause in our own little way beginning with the day-to-day happenings we see/face in our environment, communities, or surroundings. To keep a blind eye and act like it doesn’t concern you/me/us will not help the situation because ten years down the road, it might come back to haunt us or a loved one. The main problem in our society today is the many who stay silence and chose to turn the blind eye in the face of injustices and discrimination and not just the few who feel insecure/threatened by the progress or success of others that don’t look like them. Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow”.

My children and I have experienced racism, profiling, unfairness, injustices, yet I am glad on how we dealt with the situation and the progress we have made. And these are things I have always shared with you all . There’s strength in information sharing, for knowledge is power. And to also make you understand that silence wouldn’t get you anywhere than speaking would. See something, say something or do something. Speak up! Stand up!  and make your voices heard. For instance, my 5 year old daughter was at a summer camp when she was spat on and insulted by her fellow camper of the same age – that she doesn’t like black people including her parents. I told my daughter to tell/show her how much she loves her and how God wants us to exemplify His love irrespective of the hate. In this case, this child was innocent just mimicking what she heard from her parents. She won’t be so innocent when she becomes of age if her surroundings don’t infect/affect her reasoning. Parent’s, “Proverbs 22: 6 reminded us to  “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it”. 

My grade one son was also a victim at the school he was attending. I took the matter to the principal of the school and nothing was done. I  withdrew him from the school he was attending and wrote a letter to the superintendent of the public school system and lodged a complaint against the two principals involved and they were immediately displaced from their schools & transferred to an outskirtes school. You see, little drops of water sure makes an ocean, but it takes you and I to start that reformation. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 states “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 

You all are aware of the recent  incident  with my employer in Canada. How I was treated unfairly and bullied – after a year and half tenure I decided to hand in my resignation letter, but not without informing the company of my abrupt decision. Though they acted unaware of the happenings of the company, they took to heart my complaint and monitored the people in question even after my departure from the company. Months later, I was informed by one of my pals how my aggressors/abusers was escorted out of the building after bullying another employee in a similar way. It came as the greatest news to me because even though I wasn’t there to experience what I fought for, I was glad I was paving a positive environment for another individual. Should I go on? These are some of the little things that can impact change. Don’t allow the pressure of this world to oppress you, rather, take the bull by the horn and act, speak up, stand tall and gradually our little efforts can make big impacts. Read Galatians 3;28, John 13: 34, Revelation 7:9, Nehemiah 13: 3, 1 Timothy 5: 21 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.” and many more. 

Does Racism exist? Of Course! Even in the Bible, there are so many scriptures that caution us about racism, diversity and how to be mindful so we don’t give in or fall prey. Race existed so we would lay down our culture and pick up our Kingdom. Change comes from within, so we have to pray the Holy Spirit touches each and every heart so it is prone to change, which will enable us to repent and close the gap. Each individual has to be dealt with based on their actions, not a collective group of people. Not all white people are racist nor are all blacks or Chinese..you get the picture. Race is in a person and not in a color, tribe, culture, or diversity. Acts 10:34 – 35  God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him”. Give everyone an opportunity until proven otherwise. If you don’t give people a chance, you won’t know what they are truly made of, or if you even need them around your circle in the first place. I have come across genuine, down to earth, loving, giving and kind hearted people from all races. Some have kept me dumbfounded, disbelief with their actions, generosity, openness, oneness and their rapport. Touched our lives in ways that even our family members cannot comprehend – the level of trust is beyond my wildest imagination. There is always an exception to every rule, I have come across individuals that are different, that refused to go by what the system/institution have in place, but instead choose to be the example. On the other hand, I have experienced worse things happen to me from my own kind. Here is where the saying is true again “you can’t judge a book by its cover, get to know the content before jumping to conclusion.”

Untimely death should be everyone’s nightmare. Because I am human, I will have empathy for all irrespective of their race, color, ethnicity or diversity.  Covid-19 did not spare any or discriminate against any because of their race, just like no one should have to suffer or die an unjust death because of the color of their skin, or ethnicity. Psalm 118:17 “ I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the lord has done”. The reality is, the matter of race did not start today neither will it end today, but having these conversations are the first steps to a beautiful ending. In reality, there is only one race and that is the Human Race. No one should be considered as being superior over another because of the color of their skin, from dust we were formed and from dust we will return. When death shows up at your doorstep, it won’t say it is not your turn because you are so-and-so color, but it will snatch life out of you as if you never existed. We should be mindful of our actions and how they impact the people around us. 

Relationships are a privilege and not a right. Nothing should be taken for granted because once abused can never regain its trust. We have the ability to love people beyond our race, yes I know it is easier to be comfortable around our kind, but it is also more appealing embracing a total stranger or someone who looks nothing like us. That is love – God’s Great Love! “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:13.” This fight should be everyone’s fight because we are all fighting for equality, just because it doesn’t affect a particular group, it doesn’t mean they can’t be a part of the change. “I was in awe when I saw people from all races, nations, tribes & generations coming together during the ‘black lives matter movement – that is solidarity!” I guess a white cop kneeling on the neck of an unarmed black man in handcuffs for 8 minutes and 46 seconds was a wake-up call for centuries old of social injustice, discrimination, racial profiling, inequality and so forth that affected all to fight for change and make us all to understand that we are more alike than different; because it could be anybody’s kid, father, son, daughter, sister, neighbor, mother, brother…

We have to be united – we are not going to agree on everything but we can start by tolerating each other and accepting the things that make us different, which to me is unique.  These are topics that need to be dealt with at round tables, small groups, workplaces, schools and most importantly churches.  We need to be represented in every area, with everyone held accountable for their actions – we have to be merciful, justice must prevail,  fairness and freedom must be presented to all parties, not just something we sing from the national anthem every now and then – it must be an action word. It’s durable, but it takes you, me and all Human beings and it starts NOW! Isaiah 43 1:2I Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”