Juneteenth Reflections
My African ancestors suffered some of, if not the worst atrocities of humanity. We suffered from being kidnapped, enslaved, groomed for sale, shackled, brutally whipped, branded, using pepper, salt or other hard substances like sand to rub on open wounds; held in instruments of torture for infinite amounts of time, families separated from each other; mutilations, amputations, castrations, genitals tortured, sexually assaulted, cruel executions (lynchings, hangings & being buried and burned alive) and anything else demonically atrocious against a human being; limited only to imagination of the captors; no matter of the age, gender or health condition; including any disabilities or pregnancies.
To date, the mental stability of African Americans have endured systematic racism from lack of socialization, adequate health coverage, access to pursue or attain a basic education, employment opportunities, equal opportunities and access to financial institutional guidance or assistance, procure loans to obtain property, own homes or businesses, state, federal and government judicial laws and legislations, morally corrupt political officials and mass incarcerations leave us feeling useless, powerless, helpless and hopeless.
Some of our nation’s people of color across this country have been ridiculed, ostracized, stereotyped and relegated to live in poverty infected, poorly educated cities and neighborhoods; all irrelevant against the structure of certain sections of this country’s constitution. These days, reminders of the founding ideologies of this country’s feeling towards race can be discovered on social media, television, advertisements, consumer products, with college and pro sporting franchises and events, public locations, landmarks, state flags, statues and monuments.
Mr. George Floyd’s murder was the final straw. A chokehold is a lynching. It’s a strangulation. The militarization among police departments across the country have been strategically aligned with our criminal justice system to prosecute the unfortunate, uneducated and underfunded people of color. We will continue to endure a percentage of police officers across the country to carry out the last justifiably legal stand of modern-day lynch mobs and Jim Crow laws if we don’t have change.
Communities across this country must use our collective powers, expertise, talents, platforms and influences NOW to progress, challenge and/or vote in change. Be cognizant of current hierarchies of Law Enforcement across this country (Chiefs of Police, Deputy Chiefs, Commanders, Captains, Lieutenants, Detectives, Sergeants, Police Officers and Police Training Instructors), hierarchies of Legal Counselors (Attorneys, Legal Assistants and Support Staffs), hierarchies of Court Systems here in the United States of America (High Court, Appellate Courts, Trial Courts and Federal Courts and Boards Outside of the Judicial Branch) and finally; hierarchies of government officials (Executive Branch, Judicial Branch, and Legislative Branch) who vow to enact evolutionary change. Then, we, the people must perpetually hold them accountable for any decisions that favor injustice over equality against anyone indefinitely.
Lastly, most importantly, I believe at some point that faith must intersect politics at decision-making to change laws in this country to bring about good faith (Genesis 1:27 and Galatians 3:28). Racism is a sin against God (James 2:1). The world in the 21st century is crying out for God’s mercy, forgiveness, healing and justice (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). We as believers need to continue to spread the gospel & do what’s right by the teachings of Jesus (Ephesians 2:14). As his representatives, we have the obligation to share how the life-changing message of the gospel creates a healthy relationship with God and healthy relationships between people, no matter who they are.
—Linn Malik