…and Justice for All

When you see me, who do you see? A Black face?

Someone who evokes rage or fright,

Undeserving mercy, grace?

 

When you see me, who do you see? Blind and white

and deaf; loath to step into shoes

of your pain, color, grief or plight?

 

When you see me, when will you see that I am

a child of God blessed by the Lamb?

ruby_bridges_w_marshals

I have been rocked back and forth this year by the violence in our country over race relations and a serious lack of understanding, grace and communication between us all. To be frank, it reminds me of another decade.

In the 1960s we faced a country horribly divided by racial tension. We watched in revulsion scenes on our televisions of federal marshals escorting young, black children into white schools for the first time while being spat upon by angry white housewives.

We saw Black folks being attacked by dogs and fire houses, arrested for sitting at a lunch counter, and heard about the murders of three young civil rights workers. And at the end of 1964, the first Civil Rights Acts passed, which outlawed discrimination in voting and segregation in schools, at work and in places that served the public.

In 1968 we watched the Freedom March – a five-day walk from Montgomery to Selma, Alabama where thousands of non-violent demonstrators of all races faiths walked to the steps of the capitol building. State troopers attacked the unarmed marchers with tear gas and billy clubs. We mourned the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and two months later of Bobby Kennedy. The second Civil Rights Act was passed which outlawed discrimination in housing.

I cannot, even now, get those images out of my mind when I see Black men shot down by police or when I view disturbing videos of police officers clearly out of control. And I don’t understand if just and righteous police officers can wound and capture a terrorist in New Jersey, why it’s not possible, with 3-5 officers present, arrest a man of color without a fatality – particularly those who are unarmed, who have their hands in the air or who are already on the ground.

We need the courage to have public discussions because this is not about one man or woman – a possible offender or a survivor of racism or a police officer. It is about our justice system which does not apply the same justice toward all.

I reached out to my friend Lilka Raphael, a sister in Christ, to ask if she would engage in this discussion with me. Because while I can sympathize and step into her pain and frustration for moments in time, she lives it every day. Because Lilka is a Black woman with a Black husband and two sons for whom she worries each time they walk out the door. And she said, “Yes.”

So beginning next Friday, Lilka and I will begin to write letters to each other, begin to ask and answer questions, begin to talk openly about our own perspectives, our responses, and our hope. Because we each derive hope through Christ, and we each see all our brothers and sisters as clay molded in love by our gracious Creator.

We pray you will look forward to our letters, read them, and engage with us in conversation to create healing and reconciliation in this online community and in your own communities.

In love and prayer,

Susan Irene Fox and Lilka Raphael

I Would Like to Thank…

Last week, my good friend Sherri Matthews over at A View From My Summerhouse was kind enough to nominate me for the Awesome Blossom Award. Sherri’s kindness reiterated the fact that last year I have some unfinished business from 2013. The end of 2013 began the American awards season of Grammys, Emmys, Golden Globes and such.  Wouldn’t you know on the very last day of this awards season I’d be wrapping up this post as Oscars are being awarded in the background!

Sherri and I “connected” over my autism blog as we both have kids on the spectrum. Sherri and I also share our faith, a love for photography, and of course we both adore flowers! When she told me she nominated me for this award, I was not only flattered but delighted. I am very admittedly a flower fanatic.

The spirit behind the Awesome Blossom Award is one of community and friendship as we grow together and encourage one another in this journey called life. I’ve met some wonderful people through this blogging experience.

My nominees are:

Analytical Perspective shares so much! Her story and journey are inspiring. Her compassion for others shines through in every word. I’m so glad I “met” her here on WordPress.

This Ability Of Mine is written by a young lady who is the hope of every parent of a child with special needs. She writes about her kids who are on the spectrum and her love for them shines through. This young lady is destined to do great things in life!

Finally, Life in Portsong  gives me that feeling of community with every read. The writer and I “met” over a shared love of Blue Bell Ice Cream. We both have kids looking toward college. We both share a faith, love of family and a sense of humor where we don’t take life too seriously. His tales of Virgil Creech warm the heart. If you haven’t already, this blog is definitely worth checking out!

This award is the closest I can come to giving my nominees flowers. Your kindness, selflessness, consideration and sense of community bring this nomination and much love your way. Congratulations! May you Be Blessed as you continue to bless others.

And the nominees are…

My friend Eric, at Hunt4Truth.wordpress.com, kindly nominated me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award on Wednesday. The funny thing is on Wednesday I wasn’t very inspiring. In fact, I was a mess!

Yet, Eric inspired me to get myself together and get it in gear! After a few words from him, I realized I was lacking a proper attitude. I promptly “found my mind” as my youngest child would say and was able to once again think rationally and move forward.

I often have no problem encouraging others yet my efforts to motivate myself don’t always come easy. Sometimes the encourager needs encouraging. Eric does this for me. He truly projects “love your neighbor as yourself,” as posted on his site.

In fact, one of my first “conversations” with Eric was earlier this year when I was ill and couldn’t write as regularly as I had before. He checked in with me to see if the ol’ girl was okay. He inspires me by proving kindness, thoughtfulness and consideration for others does still exist.

Eric writes on matters of the heart and mind. He challenges us to look inward at ourselves and how we interact with others.  He motivates you to look outward into those things spiritual in nature. Eric prods you to check that ego and the selfish acts that often result because of it. I am truly inspired by his blog and am humbled and flattered that he nominated me. My goal is to be as inspiring to others as he has been to me.

That said, my nominees are for Very Inspiring Blogger Award are:

DEVOTIONSBYCHRIS

Heavenly Raindrops

Deeply Rooted in Him

Simply Life In Christ Blog

Stephenmustang1

This Ability Of Mine (This young lady is simply awesome)

Soul Healing Art

A View From My Summerhouse

LightWriters

Ann Kilter

Walter Bright

Roses Near Running Waters

Some of these writers inspire with their words.  A few inspire by the sheer beauty of their art. And a few have inspired me with their ability to overcome adversity with a good attitude, a grateful heart and a lesson learned. All of these blogs continually inspire me. And for this, I am very grateful.

I do realize that not everyone does “awards.” And that’s okay too.  This post is to thank you for your time, talents and dedication to inspiring others just like me.

Peace!